The record-union., 1891-04-24
FARM And ORCHARD.
The Active Nervous Temperament
in Cow a Drawback.
Many Plants That are Valuable for
Honey in Some Localities are not
in Others-The Sap of Trees-A Blue
Blooded Shorthorn-Thin Your Fruit
Trees-A Lasting WhitewaSh.

CLLJIfCLG JCtGCJJG, Oh all dIlI-
Gle by Ex-Governor Hoard of Wisconsin,
in the Lire Stock Journal Almanac, says:
'The leading idea is that it is impossible
to combine in one animal the two func-
tions Of producing both beef and milk.
He holds that the function of maternity
is intimately connected with the nervous
organization of the brain; that, III fact, the
mammary glands, uterus and brain are
intimately connected together by the SYM
pathetic plexus, and we take it that the
amount of nervous force possessed by
an animal will very decidedly affect her
milk-yielding qualities. The only breeds
worthy of being classed as dairy animals
in the States are the Jersey, Guernsey
Ayrshire and Holstein- Friesian Dutch),
and he points out that these have more
nervous development than any others.
We understand this to mean that these
breeds have hindquarters large and
wedge-shaped in proportion to the fore
half of the body, with q corresponding de-
velopment of uterus, udder, blood YES
sells, nerves, lymphatics, etc., SO that ma
ternity, with its accompanying milk
yielding power, has been developed as the
great function of their life. He condemns
the Shorthorn because the outlines of the
animals of this breed are too bIocky, and
asserts that Ayrshire breeders have in
jured their animals by modifying them
on the Shorthorn type.
"There is certainly great deal Of force
in the Governors remarks, however
much they may displease the breeders of
dairy animals. 1t is an anatomical fact
that there is intimate nervous connection
between the brain and the mammary or
ganS through the great sympathetic nerve,
and that any development of the one is
likely to act in a reflex manner and cause
a corresponding development of the other
Those who have worked among cows
must have further noticed that the four
dairy breeds above mentioned are much
more active and quick in their move
ments than their phlegmatic beef breeds,
such as the Shorthorn, thus bearing out
the theory.
1--WE have heretofore been inclined to
look on the active nervous temperament
in cow as distinct drawback, indicat-
ing imperfect domeStication, and giving
more trouble to the attendants than is the
case with slow, calm-tempered animals,
but according to this theory their milk
ing power is dependent very largely on
this very excess of nervous power. We
presume that there is limit in this direc-
ton, however, because it is a fact that the
phlegmatic animals have the best chance
of scoring good marks at a milking COM
petition; the eXcitability of the nervous
animal preventing it from yielding well
nature to keep the nerves of the animal
in a state Of tension. In regular work in
q quiet cowshed at home the matter is
quite different, and the energy may spend
itself in filling the milk pail. Gov. Hoard
indicates that the milking power is de-
veloped rather in the direction of secret
lug an Increased amount OF butter fat, and
we know that the average analysis of the
milk from the trials of the British Dairy
Farmers Association has borne this out,
excepting in the case of the Dutch ami
mails, but even with them, as developed
nj the States, the butter yield is good
me difference between tattening and q
milking animal is that the former stores
up its fat in its tissues, and the latter Sc
cretes ii off into the milk. The nervous
theory would make this power of thus
throwing of due to nervous action, and
certainly there is a good deal of evidence
in favor of this view. In the human
species fat people are generally easy tenn
pered and phlematic, while nervous, ac-
tive people are often as lean as can be-
The theory is worth considering
SOURCES OF HONEY.
While it is true that all nature may be
aglow with myriads of beautiful flowers
and yet bees not be able to gather one
drop of nectar, 1t is evident that there can
beno honey without them. Many plants
that are valuable for honey in some local
tiles are not in others, owing to climatic
differences, and every bee Keeper should
become acquainted with the sources of
honey within flight of his bees. The
sources of honey differ much in the same
place. During the hot, dry season, more
honey may be gathered from different
flowers than in a wet one.
Many experiments have been made bv
bee-culturists to solve the problem as to
whether it pays TO raise crop for honey
alone, and the verdict has been that it
might, and then again the product from
seed, labor and land will be nothing
Professor Cook, of Michigan Agricultural
College, Experimental with Rocky Noun
tain bee plant, Cleome integrifolia, and
demonstrated that il did not pay to raise
1t for honey alone, and it was worthless
for anything else. While it may not pay
to plant for honey alone, the sources Of
honey may be greatly improved by well
directed efforts.
Cherry trees are valuable for bees as
they bloom early, before the apple, and
stimulate bees to brood rearing for the
clover harvest
For the last two seasons our bees have
enjoyed the luxury Of peach honey, and
we the fruit. Our trees are seedlings and
cost nothing but the planting. 4 friend
inquired, How did you come to have
peach trees?" l replied, 1--WE trusted in
God and planted the stones" o. the lux
ury of shaking down the luscious peaches
ripened upon the trees. Plant peach
trees and place in their shade a colony Of
bees to gather their honey. fertilize the
bloom and protect the fruit when ripe
from thieves.
We can do without all other fruit better
than the apple, and when the tree is good
for nothing else, il will be splendid fuel
TO burn III the smoker to tame the bees.
Eternal vigilance is the price of good
apple; and we must study its habits,
friends and enemies. The honey bee must
produce fine civilizations in order that an
apple may grow to perfection. The bee
is the apples best friend, and should not
be destroyed with its enemies by spray
ing with poison while in bloom. The
spraying is lost, too, for the enemy has
not arrived. Wait until the bloom has
fallen, then spray your trees, and you
Will Kill your enemies and not your
friends.
1 have sometimes thought that it would
pay 10 raise crab apple trees for their
bloom. Pay as well as roses. As the
flowers of Whitney's No. 20 bloom in
clusters, at a little distance they appear TO
be large, pink roses. The clusters of fruit
in the fall are very beautiful There are
many varieties of the crab in this city.
and if it was not for them our bees would
get little apple honey, as there are few
apple orchards within their flight
Ii there was any plant that | would rec
ommend for honey alone, il would be the
raspberry. 1t continues in bloom for
three weeks, and a popularity about il is.
that bees will be working upon it imme-
diately after a hard shower. The heads
hang down and the rain does not wash
the honey out, and it apparently secretes
honey while 1t is raining. All of the
small fruits produce honey more or less.
aud mad the assistance nf thn hoa, =,