Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-02-28
TAs FEEDING OF cows.

i
40 much from the other, the digestive
capabilities of cows differ 40 much, that
il Is impossible to lay down any fixed
rule TO suit each COW.
/ Study your cows closely. Watch
their feed-box TO see they clean NJ their
feed thoroughly; their droppings 10 note
that no food passes through them un-
/ digested. watch results In conjunction
with any new feeding you may try.
/ Treat your cows kindly. Feed them
regularly. MIX them at a fixed time
each dsy, aud II possible have the sSme
person always milk the same COW. Never
abuse your cows. Have them dry a.
/ least four week ks before es,viug.
There i one principle, however, that
may be applicable 90 all dairy COWS, and
that Is: That il the best production y
COW Is capable Of accomplishing is Ia b.
obtained, YOU must from the first thirty
10 thirty-tive DAYS after cslving procure
her largest possible tiow Of milk.
Experience has taught me, and the re-
suit OF handling the herd OF Jerseys 10
the worlds fair dairy tests, where each
step and is csuse and effects were mark
Ell With ths most careful attention.
further emph ,S'zes this fact.
Whether the Goa bs kept for the pro-
ducticn OF milk alone, or for the making
of butter snd cheese, il Is equally impcr-
tsnt thai We get the highest production
OF milk Ia tho first thirty 10 thirty-6ve
days after cslving, regardless OF guam
tifv OF butter-tvt contained In the milk.
II YOU are keeping her for butter-msk-
ing, and Il she is COW Of a breed
" hose habit il Il 10 produce butter. when
she begins 10 shrink In her how, her
milk " Njll ~ enriched proportionstely.
Unless YOU bring the COW 20 her high
eat production within that time, her
totSl production until next cslving will
be materially decreased.
II we have been fortunate enough 20
procure from her her best yield in that
time, With careful handling and feeding
We can retain her. ss q rule, upon = good
fio~ for considerable time; but once
permit the COW in her earlier period OF
lsctstiOn 20 De without the necessary
food and care for the production of 4
good flow OF milk. and you have lost her
best services until next c,lving.
With the object In view | am sdvoctt-
ing, II i very desirable 20 stimulate the
COW 70 lsrg, fiow hv feed such As will
tend 20 that end. Do not give her Vhst
Il commonly called rich feed" Make
the food rather sloppy" In the earlier
period OF location, and make every
effort 70 increase her flow. Every check
or setback ~ this time Of lactstion has
lasting effect.
dislike 20 see n COW come too rapidly
20 her milk shortly after calving. pre-
fer 10 see her gain gradually, IN proper
tiou 70 the increase OF feed.
NV practice has been 10 give the fresh
ly-calved cow sbout two pounds OF bran.
two pounds OF ground oats, and half
pound Of linseed oil meal (old process
for the first six o. eight days, ss =
mash. using hot water, dividing Il into
three feeds; 20 give her all the warm
water she will drink; II she will not
drink the warm water, add part OF the
mash 10 t. For the first six 20 eight
dAys treat her as sick COW and nurse
her.
If fst the end of that time she i doing
well. increase her bran and ground osts
hv oue-half pound per dsv until she has
3 l-2 pounds of bran and IL Of ground
oSts. and one pound of linseed oil meSl,
which she ought 20 take about the 18th
day after calving Feed this quantity
from about the 18th 20 the 20th day after
cSlving. when she il taking care of
this, give her plenty Of bulky food: cut
/ clover, cornStslks, green feed or eusi-
/ l.ge. ~ the end Of the 25th 6sv after
calving increase the bran and oats, and
I from the 30th dav sfter calving add
cornmeal. II shs IA used 10 IL, and IL pro-
duces good results.
The main feature 20 be observed u.
never increase your feed by more than
oue-halt pound per day. Increase AZ
/ that rate for three 20 four days; then
rest the coz for like period, in order
that her digestive organs mav become
used 70 taking care Of this. Then YOU
can go on safely, and increase feed. but
never more than one-hslt pound per
dsv.
IL vou find YOUR COW under this treat
inert st xuv time decreases her flow
rather than Increases II. YOU may feel
pretty well assured YOU are over-feeding
her; therefore cut down her feed until
she sgsin responds 20 IL.
When she has been in milk thirty 10
| fOrty-tive days, according 20 the 'ndivid-
uslity Of the COW, add little more corn
meal and cOttoE-seed meal, and gradually
Increase II. - YOU are seeking butter,
until YOU hsve brought your COW TO her
hest production in butter.
Experience II the inivifual COW must
he your guide ~ tc how fast Won viii
Increase her feed, and the composition
thereof Extract from a lecture deliver
&c st the state Dsirv Conference at
Portland by YAnency Z. Fuller OF New
York, from Board Bulletin.