The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-06
Preparing for Dairying.

and conclude that it would be policy
for them to devote their farms to the
keeping of COWS. They generally
make the change in hurry and suffer
the sad experience of farmers who
without knowledge or experience
leave their fields to engage in trade or
manufacturing. They do not appear
to realize the fact that they are engag-
ing in new branch of business, and
have much to learn. Neither do they
realize that considerable time is neces-
sary to prepare grain farm for keep
ing cows. They are apparently ignor-
ant of the fact that it is no easy matter
to collect fine herd of cows that can
be depended on for producing large
quantities of milk. They generally
think that it is an easy matter to go
out among their neighbors and pro-
cure all the good COWS they want.
They do not, rs rule, consider the
importance OF learning how to manage
mich cows, and think that the average
hired man can milk them as well as a
person who has long been trained to
do this kind of work. They engage in
milk production in haste only to re-
pent of it at leisure. The change they
make was proper one, but it was
made in an improper manner.
A farmer who proposes to substitute
milk production for grain raising
should first acquire the requisite in
formation. He would find it greatly
to his advantage to attend the meet
ings of the dairymen's association that
are held nearest to the place where he
Il L. a Ill 80
some neighborhood where the majority
of the farmers arc engaged in the pro-
duction of milk. By spending week
in such a place he could acquire much
valuable information. He should
carefully inspect the dairy herds and
take particular notice of the peculiar
tiles of the cows that are the best milk
ers. He should examine the barns
where the COWS are kept and copy
description of the one that is of size
to shelter the number of COWS his farm
will support. He should examine the
farms and see how they are arranged,
and what proportion of each is devoted
to pasturage, meadow land, and
ground for producing other kinds of
foods than grass. The water-supply of
the farms and buildings should receive
particular attention. Inquiry should
be made IN regard to the workings of
different kinds of pumps and the adj
vantages of each. If pipes are en-
ployed to convey water from springs
he should notice how they are ar
ranged. The manner of feeding the
COWS during the season they are not in
pasture should receive particular at
tention, and the operation of milking
should be carefully noticed.
Much information in regard to the
selection, breeding, and care of dairy
cows can be obtained from books. In
addition to the standard works on
these subjects, the annual reports of
the various associations of dairymen
are very valuable. The books are often
largely theoretical, but the reports
contain the experience of practical
dairymen. They give the record of
failures and the causes that led TO
them, as well the account of success.
A farmer can spend winter very
profitably in studying the books and
reading the minor publications that
pertain to dairying. His leisure at
other seasons of the year he can spend
with equal profit in visiting farms de-
voted to the production of milk.
farmer who has obtained the re- |
quisite amount of information in the |
WAYS suggested can commence to plan |
and prepare his place for keeping
COWS. Experience shows that about
four acres will be required for every
COW, if all the feed is to be produced
on the place. OF these four acres,
80 70 hof |
should be in pasture, one in grass, to
be cut and cured for hay, and one in
grain, roots, and crops to be used for
soiiing purposes in case the feed in the
pasture should be short in summer.
Attention should first be paid to pre-
pairing the pasture, as some time is
necessary to form a good sod. Many
dairymen state that unbrOken prairie
sod improved by the Introduction of
blue grass makes as fine pasture as
can be obtained. A field that has been
for several years for produc-
ing grass for hay will ordinarily make
a good pasture. If the grass is chiefly
it will be advisable TO SOW the
seed of the fine grasses on the sod and
TO cover it with a light harrow. A va
riety of grasses and clovers Is desira-
bic in a pasture intended for milch
cows. The pasture should be well sup
piled with pure water and. arrange
ments made for having it in more than
one place if the pasture is large one.
Cows that are giving milk should not
be obliged to go long distance to OBJ
.ain water during the heat of summer.
frees for producing shade should be
planted in several places. They will
% great advantage to the COWS dur
ng the months of July and August.
The selection of herd of dairy cows
hould be n matter of considerable
ime. A farmer may often be the
.ainer by raising them. BY obtaining
bull of a good milking family and of J
ne of the recognized dairy breeds he
an raise calves from the COWS he has
n his place. He may also procure
female calves, from his
eighbors. Farmers not interested in
nix production prefer to raise male
alves. as they are better for produce {
~ beef. Within the period of three