The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-10-24

one OF the greatest mistakes that farm
ers make is in raising all the heifers that
are dropped, regardless of the Importance
Of pedigree or individual merit Pedi-
gree, though an important factor in the
makeup Of most cows, is by no means
an infallible rule or guide toward adding
individual merit TO such animals as fail
to give good results either In milk or
butter when properly cared for and fed
for that purpose. The foundation of any
good hgd depends upon the cutting out
Of such animals as do not come up 10 a
proper standard of excellence by sending
them promptly to the shambles to be
slaughtered. thereby fulfilling their mis-
sion as beef producers.
While 1t is not always the case that
good dams transmit their milk and but
ter qualities to their offspring, It is near
ly always the case that poor dams leave
little else burt their bad qualities 10 their
female descendants. although one admis-
sion might be made when a first-class
sire is used. Even then the chances for
Improvement are ten to one in favor of
combining the best Of both sexes rather
than TO use a good sire on a worthless
dam. without the use Of the churn to
test the ability Of individual cows 1t is
n pig in a poke" game to go on year
AFTER year, getting no definite results
out OF a dairy. Yet hundreds of farmers
are doing this very thing and annually
adding Improbable stock 20 their diaries
by raising heifcr calves from Improbable
cows. Men VINO a few years ago began
10 Gull out of their herds the Improbable
individuals are today in circumstances
that enable them TO operate a dairy at
a good profit and TO sell their surplus
stock at prices that make the business
have a silver lining.
It is well 20 educate ones self in the
lire Of what is the general appearance of
a heifor calf that promises well for a good
COW when grown. There are characters
tics, outlines and individuality that are
unmistakable, some of which the good
housewife can readily distinguish. Color
may not be considered a point, yet
similarity looking toward the breed from
which its blood predominates should by
no means be overlooked. symmetry
that blends largely with the outline of
the best OF its breed should be the best
guide through the eyes of the breeder.
This calf should have bright, prominent
eve. looking out To the sides, neat, thin
ear broadening from the base, well To
the end. a heifer that is expected 10
make n good COW does not need the legs
that are necessary TO carry up an OK or
cate finish from the body 10 the hoof.
Length of body. as well as depth should
be a noticeable feature, with fair dis
lance reaching from hip 10 rump. But
little attention is paid now TO the es-
cutcheon. but much more 70 the promise
OF udder and teat development. Personal
experience has taught me that the latter
Is by no means matter of small inn
portance. As a rule, good teats are the
forerunners of a good udder development,
and dairymen who desire that degree OF
pleasure shall attend their chosen occupa-
ton should at least see that their coming
herds have a majority of the points men
toned.
II develop such an individual requires
care, promptness and proper nourishment,
ana usually the housewife succeeds best
I'm making out Of these heifers the very
bcs- cows that adorn our herds. Not that
she should have the drudgery thrust
upon her. as matter Of adding more
care 10 her already numerous burdens,
but that the calf shall see the genlality
Of motherhood frequently. WIKI her care
its life is naturally in better hands. win
much better chances of becoming a cow
some day than when left - the tender
care Of the hired man r even to the
owner of the dairy. She will give 1t two
quarts of new milk fresh from the cow
when weanod from the mother as a start
or. and increase the amount daily with
good skim milk mot SEPARATOR ill the
amount reaches four quarts. The diet Is
changed gradually TO pure skim milk
with the addition of one tablespoonful of
linseed meal thoroughly cooked and we'll
incorporated with the milk, which should
be heated 10 q few degrees above normal
heat. Clean timothy hay is placed be-
fore the little cow, which 1t soon learns
TO pick at and eat \ little bran and
ground oats are added as a further in
ducemcnt TO it TO promote growth. BY
all means keep from it any and al class
es If feeds that tend TO produce fat