The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-12-31
Care. Of Cows at Calvins.

devotion TO Cne CROWN anu oo'oioPTl
ment of her young and, incidentally
making preparation for milk giving.
In her natural state, the COW feeds her
calf short time only, so that 1t Is
early taught to be self-reliant. This, Isl
necessary, since If the calf were to de-
pend upon the dam for sustenance long,
in colder ATTITUDES at least, winter
would prove too severe for It, The
aim of man in DEMONSTRATING the cow
for his use has been to lengthen the
milking period against the cows habit
of reducing her flow of milk after be-
coming pregnant again. And his greed
for long milking period. in dairy
cows, especially, has entailed disease
upon the COW and weakened. consti-
tuition in her offspring. Now, with
steadily increasing population without
a corresponding increase in the num-
Der of cows in the United States, 1t
seems reasonable that it will not only
pay to take good care of the cow, but to
care for her in such a manner as to
enable her to give birth to robust,
vigorous calf. In order that all this
may be brought about, the cow should
have a respite from milking of two
or three months before the next calf Is
born. From the writer's personal ex-
perience and observation, there is fea-
son to believe that the cow which goes
dry for sixty or ninety days before
calving will make equally good returns
for food and care as one that is MIXED
to within a month of parturition.
During this period of non-lactation
the COW should be fed good, nutritious
food; and with most animals it is de-
sirable that even habitat condition be
reached before the calf is born. A cow
in which the maternal instinct of milk
giving is we'll developed draws upon
this store of fat to augment her yield.
And it is pretty good evidence of quail
ty in cows when they fall away in
flesh while giving mllk-provided they
are fairly and generously fed. AS ma
turity approaches the cows physical
condition should be closely watched.
A properly fed and well-treated COW
seldom fails to do welp' at calving
time. Cows fed largely on corn or such
carbonaceous foods are apt to be few
erish or constipated. This must be
avoided or overcome by the best means
possible. Oats or bran are foods which
will bring about lax condition of the
bowels and largely help to avoid the
complications incident to calving. Ep-
som salts or glauber salts should be
among the medical stores Of every we'll
regulated farm. A pound Of either OF
these salts dissolved in water and given
as a drench soon before this event will
have a cooling effect on the system Yet
it has been observed the same quantity
given in, say, two ounce doses daily
in g. bran slop, for a week or so pre-
Siously will have equally, if not bet
ter, effects. One reason for WHICH is
that this detail would ensure closer
observation of individual condition,
Every farm ought to have a place
where q COW about to calve may be
turned into in anticipation of this in
teresting event. And she should b: pa; r.t
there long enough beforehand that she
may become accustomed to her quar-
tiers before tho calf is born. 1t is an
inhumane way of treating a brute,
even, to let a cow endure the pangs OF
labor while confined by rigid stanch-
con. Usually, the calf is delivered
without assistance of the attendant, yet
it is always desirable that help be
given if needed; and when such is re-
quired, be deliberate and patient in so
doing. After the calf is born give the
cow thin bran slop, which may be
repeated until the, COW has had enough
to quench her thirst. If the afterbirth
is not expelled within an hour or so
give her a pailful of dry whole oats.
This quantity of grain will not injure
the COW and seems to act favorably to
the desired end. The calf may be left
with its mother during the period when
the milk is unfit for use except as de-
signed by nature. To strip the COW at
this time is to unduly excite the man.
mary glands and often conduces to an
increased feverish condition of the I'D
der. 1t is WE'LL however, to have the
quarters emptied uniformly; else trou-
BILE of another kind may result. The
! cow IOOu lot week Ut Ten udyS
should be of light character, after
which the food may be gradually in
creased. Cows treated in rational
manner are not likely to be victims
of milk fever, and the plan here out
lined will go far toward insuring valua-
Bile stock from this dread disease.
Water for Poultry in Winter.
The subject of how to water the poul
| try in winter Us worthy the best
thought of the poultry keeper. If the
house be warm and the weather mild
water will stand for some time with
out freezing ami if the birds are wa
tered twice day they will probably
get all the water needed. We have
known houses That were so warmly
built that water would not freeze in
the coolest weather, but there are few
houses of that kind. Most of them are
of single thickness of boards, and
through these the cold soon penetrates.
There are upon the market different
kinds Of water heaters which nrOb-