The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-09-10
H cow.

Editors Country GentlemGn:-I0
selecting the COW for dairy work or for
family use, there is no consideration of
more Importance or so closely asscci-
ated with desirability and that deter
mines the degree of value and useful
ness as that of her inclination to ner
vousness. Many COWS, especially those
of pure blood, are inclined to a sensit
i've, skittish disposition, yer alert and
inclined to become startled by unusual
surroundings; the approach of q
stranger is sufficient to cause the wild
est excitement and fright. Handling
such cattle must be attended with the
utmost care and gentleness, unremit-
tingly adhered to; the lie Ist deviation
from regular methods or the slightest
of changes will cause an uncomfortable
behavior that very seriously interferes
with the animals usefulness.
Many otherwise gentle COWS are
thrown into commissions of fear at the
appearance of a woman, that are cool
and easy going in the presence of men {;
and will plunge and struggle with
their fastenirgs if secured in the stable,
regardless of personal safety, or will
run wildly to the most remote corner
of the pasture, to get away from the
imaginary danger. Such as these are
OF course exceptions, but every dairy
man and those familiar with the habits
of cattle have encountered cases of the
kind. They are to be avoided, both in
the sale ring and by private purchase;
the habit once formed is not easy to
cure, if possible at all. The objection
able characteristic is born in them and
it is a rare chance that after treatment
will remove it.
A strong factor toward a remedy for
the evil is in an early handling of the
calf; it should be led by the halter and
familiarized with stable customs from
the time it is four or five months old.
At this age it conforms very readily to
desired methods and the training then
is easy, whereas if this is neglected
until the animals working age begins,
q wild COW" will be the result; the
young COW, in milk for the first time,
that has had proper training as a calf,
will accept the situation as naturally
as q veteran and when tho plan be-
comes general with raisers of dairy
stock, the wild, kicking, nervous COW
will be unknown; these habits and in
cliuations are nearly always the out
growth of neglected education early in
life.
One main factor of value in the profit.
able dairy COW, is a q1iet, satisfied and
contented air-oRe that nothing dis
turbs and that gives her whole time to
the pursuit of her legitimate business
of laying in a supply of material for
cud chewing and the elaboration OF
milk.
If all persons who have the care Of
COWS were gentle in their treatment
and kind in manner toward them, and
never rough or out of humor while il
the stables, always and uniformly tn
same, there would be some hope Of
confidential relation being established
between the skittish COW and thos
with whom she is brought in contact
But this is not the case, and the vile
COW is continually CT the lookout TO
a real or fancied occasion for gettinl
her blood up, and disposition Of tina
kind is not conducive to the main Oh
jecs Of her calling; her milk yielc
suffers, her work is Improbable, ant
she is not deserving of a place in tn
herd of which every COW is expected t.
make the returns. Dairymen will
~ aspirations for dairy success vii
hOH n nervous COW, regardless o
Uesree OF style" or as to how sym