Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-05
Care of COWS At C.,v,ne.

making preparation for milk giving
In her natural state, the cow feeds hel
calf short time only, so that it /.
early taught to be self-reliant. This |!
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 1t. Tn,
aim OF man in DEMONSTRATING the COW
for his use has been to lengthen tn,
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 constt.
tuition in her offspring. Now, with 9
steadily increasing population without
a corresponding increase in the mum.
Der OF cows in the United States. II
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 a robust
vigorous calf. In order that all this
may be brought about, the COW should
nave 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
Tor 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 1t is de-
slrable that even habitat condition ba
reached before the calf is born. A COW
IN which the maternal instinct of milk.
giving Is well developed draws upon
this store OF fat to augment her yield.
And 1t Is pretty good evidence of quail
ity in cows when they fall away In
flesh while giving milk-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 welr' at calvins
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. ED.
som salts or glauber salts should be
among the medical stores of every well
regulated farm. A pound of either OF
these salts dissolved in water and given
as drench soon before this event will
have cooling effect on the system. Yet
1t has been observed the same quantity
given in, say. two ounce doses daily
in a bran slop,. for a week or so pre-
viously will have equally, If not bet.
ter, effects. One reason for which ia
that this detail would ensure closer
observation OF individual condition.
Every farm ought to have a place
where COW about to calve may be
turned into in anticipation Of this in
teresting event. And she should be put
there long enough beforehand that she
may become accustomed to her quar-
ters before the calf is born. 1t is an
lnhumane way of treating brute.
even, to let COW endure the pangs OF
labor while confined by rigid stanch.
con. Usually, the calf Is delivered
without assistance of the attendant, vet
t is always desirable that help be
given IL needed; and when such is re-
luired, be deliberate and patient in 50
1oing. After the calf Is born give the
COW a thin bran slop, which may be
until the cow has had enough
% quench her thirst. If the afterbirtb
s not expelled within an hour or so
give her a pailful of dry whole oats
This quantity of grain will not injure
he COW and seems to act favorably to |
he desired end. The calf may be left |
With its mother during the period when |
he milk is unfit for use except as de. |
signed by nature. To strip the COW at |
his time is to unduly excite the man.
nary glands and often conduces to an
increased feverish condition of the I'D
Ter. 1t is well, however, to have the
quarters emptied uniformly; else trou.
lie of another kind may result. The
ow's food for a week or ten days
hould be Of light character, after
which the food may be gradually in.
reased. Cows treated in a rational
nanner are not likely to be victims
I milk fever, and the plan here out
ned viii go far toward insuring valua
lie stock from this dread disease.
Water for Poultry In Winter.
The subject OF how to water the poul-
~ in winter Is worthy the best
lought of the poultry keeper. II the
ouse be warm and the weather mild
alter will stand for some time with
ut freezing and If the birds are wa
'red twice a day they will probably
ct all the water needed. We have
nown houses that were so warmly
lilt that water would not freeze in
lie coolest weather, but there are few
buses of that kind. Most of them are
single thickness of boards, and
trough these the cold soon penetrates.
here are upon the market different
Inds Of water heaters. which prob
bly, are quite effective in keeping the
alter at temperature above freezing.
ut most OF our farmers will hardly
re to invest. Taking all things to-