The Washington times., 1894-07-15
The Science Of Cows;
Learning About Dairying.

| Henry county, went to the Agricultural De-
partment to get data, statistics, and practical
| information on the subject of dairying. My
experience has been such a profitable one
| that must here expunge my mind OF some
valuable ideas on this subject.
1t was in the cool of Summer morning.
| NV walk along the shaded walks. lined on
| each side with spreading trees. was conduc-
i've to much reflection on the profit and loss in
| this new business. The boxwoood hedges were
| so precisely even, the flower beos which dotted
, the wide expanse OF green lawn on every side
were profusely filed with verbena, geranium,
sweet peas and roses CT all colors, my mind
began to dance with colors of delight. But
was scarcely prepared for the solemnity and
dignity which impressed me on every side as
entered the department and inquired for the
chief clerk. believing he could direct me to
the most fruitful sources on this plain sub
iect.
In case you have such mild desire as to
lead YOU to seek information from the same
fountain source, you might find, as did,
that the Secretary of Agriculture might be out
West on his Summer vacation. The private
secretary to his secretaryship might be away,
too. The assistant secretary may be attend
ing to outside official business. But you will
be fortunate if you find the assistant OF the
chief clerk or some such important parsonage
for he can tell you everything he don't know.
of nv visit. 1t was a delicate subject, this
matter of dairying, in all its details, but l
came right out with it, and said |:
Il want some Information on practical
dairying. Will you tell me all you know on
the subject?'
Are you going to dairying?" says he, lit
tie amazed. perhaps, at my blank ignorance
on this all-important subject.
NO" says |. Il have a friend out there
in Missouri who wants some practical hints
on the subject
"Well. says he. ''iu the first place. you
must begin by getting a cow" Says he, Il
know as much about this subject as most
anybody else would know who had been
kicked by COW as many times as have"
'Well. says L, what kind of COW would
be best for dairying purposes?"
''Well " SAYS he, ''get cow that would be
indigenous to that part of the country, such
as your neighbors nave, so there would be no
jealousy. You mad better buy one from your
neighbor. in order to show a generous spirit.
1t would cost p" said he. SAY about S25, and
pretty good COW you could get for that out
there
Well that sort of encouraged me little,
for / knew'ny friend might afford two or
three cows at that price. But wanted prac
teal knowledge, so L says:
what breed should get!'
"Breed! Why a mild-tempered breed of
O'Leary kicking variety have been modified
a good deal within past years by being mixed
with gentle .sweet-tempered species. Then,
said he 1.-The kind Of a cow you need de-
pends upon the purpose you want it for. If
for perpetuatinS purposes, you must get
COW with pedigree, but half the time you
would be paving for pedigree, and a full
blooded, short-horned pedigreed COW might
not thrive ON the kind of Missouri feed it
could find. Ii depends, of course. on the
natural resources OF the soil. By the way,
what county is it where this important in
dustry Is TO be inaugurated?"
He was assured it was the most fertile county
in Missouri. "Well. then.' said he. the cues
tion of what the cows should be raised on is
practically settled; for five or six weeks. when
the COW is dry. it can be turned out TO past
ure. Some people treat their cows better
than others. you know; it would be well to
mix a little bran with some oats and corn"
l was satisfied with the facts L had CLEANED
on the subject of feeding, but was still in
doubt as to the blooded variety.
'Why no: get Jersey?" said l.
"Well," said he, "a Jersey is not the best
for family purposes. 1t depends upon what
you want TO use the milk for. Jersey milk is
best for butter making, because the big
gobules of fat rise to the surface quickly.
But the old family COW is better for general
family use."
knowledge he concluded: II will send and
get you recent yalupbie publication on this
subject, report on the Dairy Industry of
Denmark"
felt doubly armed with such valuable sug-
gestions. But TO be sure | said, ''are you
certain these are practical hints?'
''Well.' said he. ''if there is any particular
point you want TO know just ask me and 1 can
tell you. because | don't know of any one who
knows more on this subject than l do. How
ever. I'll refer you to the Bureau of Animal
Industry where you can get supplemental in
formation"
Here found out / would have to have
more than one COW. as one might die. SO L
sought 10 learn more about breeding COWS.
But the learned doctor grayey said:
''We pay more attention in this bureau to
the diseases of animals, but anything else
you want TO know I'll gladly tell you. for 1
know as much about this subject as any
body"
So 1 went back to "churning" / learned
there were various kinds of churns. The
slap-dasher. the round churn, the disc churn.
The disc churn," said he, lis the best
You can get it somewhere in Chicago. 1t
costs about 525." As much as the cow,
thought |. But it might be best to get an
uD and down dasher and profit by exper-
ience."
Here was, talking about churning and
hadh found out now to milk. SO SAID l.:
How do you milk 4 cow?'
''Well. " said he, ''by practical experience 1
can tell you that no mechanical device will
answer the purpose, but after you learn the
trick OF the hand by experience. YOU will be
able to milk about twenty-five to thirty cows
day."
| made quick calculation as to the output
and profit of such dairy; ten to twelve quarts
n COW and twenty-five cows a day, so l con-
cuded I'd go in the proft-sharing scheme
with my Missouri friend. l explored a copy
of the best farm Journal, the Country Gen
tleman. for tine Home and Preside" 1 left
the Bureau OF Animal Industry with the as
surance that if there was any further informa-
tion l wanted on any practical points. could
get it right there.
Seeing a milk wagon in the back garden of
the department which was TO supply milk to
the clerks for lunch adopted the course of
Nicholas Nieklehy. who believed when he
milk. go milk the cow. was the best practi-
cal way. SO 1 proceeded TO supplement my
knowledge by further anxious inquiry OF the
dairyman.
How much milk do my cows Neld?'' re-
peated he. smartly. ''Oh, l don't keep any
COWS. / buy all my milk from the country
explained my purpose. and his hopes fell.
We'll said he, ''if you hear of anybody
that wants to buy out a milk route just come
to me. 1 can tell you all about it.
l was weary and heavy laden as / re-
luctantly departed from this bureau of un-
fathomable lore on the subject of dairying. 1
yended my way slowly through the beautiful
park. The south side of the market place
was a scene of bustling activity Wagons
were loaded with all kinds OF country prod
fnr CT,