Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-04-19
DAIRY COLUMN.
Hints for Dairymen.

HeIc are many niue llcIls Oh
comfort which most dairymen enjoy
that to them seem commonplace,
but which others go without for
want Of knowledge. TO this end
the Bureau of Dairy Information
was organized, and in a short item
we will mention a few things that
may be of use to some of our readers.
AT this season of the year the
greatest natural increase is expected
from our herds and tlocks, and COWS
that have been badly cared for will
sometimes fail to edo well" at
calving.
RETENTION OF AFTERBIRTII
is a difficulty which COWS in good
health, and fair flesh, are seldom
subject to: unless from exhaustion
from protracted labor, or weakness
incident to Scanty feeding in hopes
of warding off milk fever. Feed
the COW on food Of a cooling nature,
such as bran, oats AM good haN ;
avoiding much corn. Give her a
ounce of salts per day, beginning
ten days or two weeks before calv
ing. \ tonic in the shape of a
tablespoonful of ginger given aIy
for a week before calving WI
strengthen the system at this crit al
time-if she is kept warm and com
Portable, so far as shelter, food and
drink are concerned
We have found giving the COW
soon after calving a pailful of dry
oats, a means of producing the
"labor' necessary to expel the after.
birth, and offer il as an element of
relief in such cases.
IN TURNING CATTLE on PASTURES
in the spring they are apt to run
down rapidly because of the laxative
nature of the new grass, which is
yet lacking in nutriment. 1t is
better to keep stock in the stable
and yards than TO allow them to
ramble over the fields, and when
turned out they should be literally
supplied with hay, of which they
will eat a surprising amount, and
the grain ration can also be contin
ued with positive benefit and
consequent profit.
must not be neglected at this season
1t supplies, in part, the minerals o.
which the succulent grass is deficient
A box made of two inch stuff, Will
fange on top, so that the cattle
will not tlirt the salt out of the boz
when licking, will give the cattle al
opportunity to satisfy daily want
If fastened to the wall of som,
building, or under a shed, so that i
Will be low enough that all cal
reach it, cattle will file into tn,
barnyard and visit this locality a
regularly as the water trough
especially in spring.
A KICKING COW
Will never be cured of this habit i
the attendant uses milkstool L
encourage more amiable disposition
on the part of the COW. If she i
uneasy durin. milking il will gen
orally be found that the mixer !
hurting her. Sore teals should VI
dressed with some kind of ointmcn'
well sailed butter i good for tn
purpose. But. above al things, "
gentle with the COWS. However
COW is 50 pcrvcr,c A. % kick an
way. one can gr' The "oinch' Z"
such ''crittcr" bv the use of a rol
or surciuglr. drawn tightly "v'
the loins in front Of the udder
A cow THAT II 4 HARD MlLkER
NAV be improved in this RESPECT J.
inserting a lead plug made like
letter -" the turned up part brl"
rather longer in proportion 10 th
length Let the lead be somc"ha
less than inch in diameter, mad
as smooth as possible, taperln
toward the long end but not pointe'
Insert it carefully, pressing the be 4
portion to the teat, To hold 1T /
place. The lead will expand tn
orifice and at the same time Gallon
the opening. The same may b
accomplished by the use of a pea
shaped plug, made with an enlarge
ment at the big end to prevent II
slipping in out of reach.