The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-11-06

should regard it as a favor and relief.
not as a torture or punishment. This
is especially true of young cows and
such as yield a large quantity of milk,
as not only their udders, but their
whole being in general is the most
sensitive and consequently are most
easily ruined.
Regularity in milking is essential.
Cows should be MIXED at fixed inter
walls, and if the time set aside for milk
ing is closely adheared to, the animals
will soon be so strongly impressed by
the custom that they will be promptly
on hand at the appointed hour to be
| relieved of their burdens. Not only
for this reason, however, should they
be MIXED regularly, but more espe-
cially because irregularity in milking
has an unfavorable effect upon the
quantity of milk produced, in short,
i~rregularity in milking makes an irreg-
ular COW.
The udder of COWS is a very delicate
| organism and, therefore, subject to a
great many disorders. 1t happens fire.
quently that the whole or part of the
| udder is "out of order" and does not
perform it's functions properly. Though
these evils generally are of themselves
of small significance, they may-and
often do-through neglect or deficient
treatment, develop diseases of a serious
| character; often resulting in the total
ruin of one or more teats. These dis
orders are generally attributed to some
unknown cause, while they are not un-
frequently the result of bad milking
or Entertainment. It is, therefore, very
important and a prime qualification of
a mixer to be able to detect, properly
and promptly treat all such disorders
as the udder is frequently subject to;
or better, to prevent them, which is
readily accomplished by proper care
and management. s.. .s .s.
The mixer should take hold of the
teat near the udder with the whole
hand and uniformly press all the milk
out of the same, and not as it is usually
done by rubbing downward or strip
ping" The latter process is usually
employed when the cow is nearly
MIXED clean or in giving the "fnish-
ing TOUCH" or with the frstling whose
teats are yet too short to be taken with
the whole hand. With frstlings the
latter mode Of procedure is often IN
avoidable, but it should be dispensed
with as soon as possible, as it causes
the animal more pain than the former
method. The theory that cows will
yield a larger quantity of milk if the
milk is drawn from two teats simulta-
neously instaad of alternately is, [
think, without foundation. After
several extended trials | failed to dis
cover an increase.
1t is highly important that the COWS.
be MIXED clean or diminution will be
the result. This should especially be
observed with frstlings, as it will do
a great deal toward promoting their
milking qualities and consequently
their future value. Numerous expert
ments made in this direction also tend
to show that the milk drawn last is at
least from three to five times az rich
as that which flows at the beginning
of milking. The farmers interests,
therefore are promoted two-fold by
invariably observing this rule.
All of our domestic amin, Is suckle
their young only when at perfect ease.
This is a hint from nature that is we'll
worth initiating, and COWS should not
be MIXED while feeding, but should be
MIXED first and fed afterward. The
COWS will soon become accustomed to
this and will keep their feed if they
have some before them to be the more
| quiet while being MIXED.
The milking should be done quietly.
Harsh words should never be INDUCED
in and kicking and striking should be
avoided. To excel in milking, as in
everything else, one should excel in
patience and solicitude. Rough treat
ment exercises as great an influence
both on the quantity and quality of
milk, as mental affection does on
digestion in man. Besides, if restraint
is resorted to, as is only too often the
case with perverse COWS, they are very
| apt to become fractions, hold their
milk and form other habits hard to
eradicate afterward. Many a valuable
COW has been driven to the shambles
for non other reason than that she
was MIXED badly, left to dry up
badly. or ill.treated