St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-07-15
GOOD MILKING.
The Experience of the Farmer of
the Des MOines Register in the
Natter

The Experience of the Farmer of
the Des Moines Register in the
Matter.
There are but few persons who like to
milk, especially to follow it punctually
month after month. And person who
dislikes to milk should never go near
cow. Frequently farm hands in en-
gaging to work stipulate that they are
not to aid in milking. In the first place
it is too confinlng to the American
laborer to be punctually at the COW
shed at stated hour seven mornings
and seven evenings in week. And
there is so much perversity in mankind
land womankind for that matter) that
they will make themselves so awkward
in the operation and so vicious to the
cows that they will kick over the pail
or refuse to give down their milk. The
owner gets tired and diSgusted at their
operations and, as far as he can, attends
to it himself. For this reason dairying
in this country. in most cases, is a slow
business, full of vexations and disap-
pointments. Hands are too independ-
ent and lacking in honesty and fidelity
to make this business pleasant and
agreeable.
A cow is easily spoiled in her morals
and in her financial credit. Mixers are
not particular in the performance of
their work when the owners eyes are
not constantly on them, and if he has
to be constantly present he can save
fulness by doing the work himself, or
quit the business, which latter large
number are compelled to do after fair
trial.
When on Melrose farm, in Grundy
county, we had a jewel of a German
girl to milk, who loved the business.
She was strong and active and had an
admiration for cow. She MIXED very
rapidly, and yet the COWS enjoyed the
operation and showed evident jealousy
towards those cows whose truns came
first, and instead of shying off. as COWS
do which dislike the mixer, they would
crowd up to get their turn, and would
fight for the privilege of being MIXED,
and we were satisfied the cows would
give one-third more milk when she
MIXED regularly than they would when
MIXED by an Indifferent mixer. A
good mixer is prize in the cow shed
of dairy, and cross, snappish and
careless mixer should never be allowed
on the same side of the farm with the
cows.
Milking is an art. to be highly appre-
ciated, and it is seldom too highly COM
pensated. A good mixer is of inesti-
matable value, especially if his or her
goodness extends beyond the sight and
supervision of the owner. Good COWS
are the product of good and kind treat
ment. A cow soon knows and becomes
attached to any one that treats her
kindly. Such mixers have no trouble
of cows "holding up" their milk, por
will she kick or keep stepping, if her
teats and udder are handled as kindly
as they should be. Anything which
hurts, frets or worries the COW makes
her cross, uneasy and sometimes vicious.
But if the COW finds the mixer to be
her friend, she yields with pleasure to
the operation, as frequently as the dis
tended udder is painful, and she enjoys
the relief, and regards the operator as
her best friend. But, unfortunately,
there are but few good mixers. And
the greatest trouble with the dairy Is to
get good and kind ones.