The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-08-14

I'm some particulars we can probably
learn something from the practices of
foreign dairy len: in others, however,
We can give them pointers. An Eng
hshman, writing to the London Post,
tells of a South American friend of his
who decided to start a butter and cheese
factory on q large scale, and who sent
an agent to England, to this country.
ard to the continent of Europe, to make
Investigations for the purpose OF deter
mining what would be the best kind of
plant to put III. He spent about two
months in England, little more than
that in this country, after which he de-
teInlir-ed, without any hesitation, to
buy machinery here. His decision was,
taking as a basis given quantity of
milk to be handled, that, while it re-
Quired ten people to do it in Great Brit
ain, seven were sufficient Oh the CONT
neHt, and four were amply able to han
die the milk by American methods.
Dairying in this country is as yet at
some disadvantage, but it has some ad-
VGntages.
The present month is that In which the
greatest shrinKage in milk yield usually
occurs, and when it is serious there is
rarely recovery later on. The loss, there
fore, IS not merely present loss, but eX-
tends throughout the period of lactati0n,
and is Of such Importance and so greatly
affects profit that it deserves the best
attention Of the dairyman 10 prevent it.
The causes are mainly dry pastures, the
pest of flies, lack CT an ample supply if
good, pure, cool water, irregularity in
milking, milking that is not exhaustive,
and the like and knowing the causes it
is the dairyman's business to devise
methods Of meeting them so far as pos
sih,e.
The question of dry midsummer pas
lures is one upon which we have fire.
quently dwelt in this department at
times more seasonabie than the present
We have urged very frequently, at the
beginning of the crop season, the i'm
porJance of providing some succulent
food to bridge over the season of short
pasture that normally comes in the
West. Such provision should always be
made, and those who have done so this
year can congratulate themselves that
they have taken one important precau-
tion against Shriukage in the Weld
Those who have not made provision of
this kind can watch the shrink as the
pastures dwindle and make it an OBJ
ject lesson for their guidance next year
Any serious discomfort to the COW af-
fects the milk yield adversely, and the
greatest of these midsummer discomforts
are heat and flies. Cool shade in the
summer is just about as important to
the dairy COW as is stable protection in
winter and flies in abundance are wholly
inconsistent with an abundance Of milk
the dairyman should provide a good re-
pellant. of which there are many, oils
pennyrOyal, carbolic acid. kerosene and
the like, being the basis of such appIica-
tons. Measures should be taken to keep
down flies too, thoroughly lining the
droppings about the yard in which flies
eggs hatch. Cut off the supply as much
as possible and there will be fewer TO
drive away.
Early in the spring the pastures are
flush and the grass contains an excess Of
water and is deficient in nutriment. AS
the season advances these conditions are
reversed. The grass becomes more hay-
like and the Importance of supplying
larger quantities of water becomes great
er If all other conditions were f1rst-class
a deficiency in water supply in midsum-
mer would mean serious shrinkage in the
yield of milk. The water should be good
and pure and reasonably cool. If the cows
have to be driven to water from the drv
pasture, twice a day is not enough. No
management is good management that
does not provide for access to water at
will
Irregularity in milking is bad enough
at air seasons of the year, but it is espe-
c1ally so in midsummer So, too, is
milking that is not exhaustive If the
owner can follow the mixer and get
from half teacup to a teacup of milk,
AFTER the latter thinks he has finished
me COWS are in a fair way to make a
shrInkase. They seem to say, IF YOU
won take it, we won't make it." and
II Fill is left in the udder tonight, to-
morrow night there will be the gill less
inade 10 take. Thorough and exhaust
I'VE milking should be the rule at all
times but 1t is particularly necessary in
midsummer, when other causes contrib
ute to reduce the yield.
Tie shrinkage in the yield of dairy
cows during midsummer is a very com,
mon complaint. 1t Is one, however. that
is usually within the control of the dali
ryman. Feed, comfort, water and good
milking are the chief essentials. If
these are provided there will be no neces-
slty for q struggle in the fall to get back
to a profitable yield. If they are not
such shrinkage will likely occur that