The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-08-07
The Dairy.
DISPOSITION OF THE cow.

Correspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
For some years l have been work
ing hard to improve the disposition
of my COWS. There is just as much
difference between COWS in this re-
spect as there is between men. And
the starting point in breeding for
disposition should be the nature of
the man. Some men T naturally
nervous and easily excited. Such a
man never should try to work up a
herd of COWS with a disposition like
his own. The quick and nervous
man should seek for quiet, slow-go-
ing cows. The man who is more
moderate in his actions may safely
choose a dairy of more excitable
COWS.
A few years ago had a COW which
came to me we'll recommended as a
good mixer and not inclined to sick.
But something about her new sur
roundings had a tendency to make
AC1 1C1 NOOS. DC1O1C UCS1lLll1S W
give milk she would stand in the
stable and kick each way at the COWS
near her. They had to get around
out Of her way pretty lively. [ was
always careful about milking this
COW, never allowing anyone else to
do it. For days at a time she would
stand quietly, and she was always a
perfect pet when not being MIXED.
But she would have times when no
one could milk her without having
trouble. She would lean over upon
the mixer and it they did not get
out of the way the fur would fly. l
resOrted to various expedients to
overcome this tendency, such as
fastening a strap around her body in
front of the Qdder, but none of these
things would serve the purpose.
Finally l gave up and disposed of the
COW, but while l had her she bore
several calves, every one of which
was distinguished by d disposition
to kick.
Now while I do not feel sure that
the nan of whom I bought the COW
did not know of this fault in her, I
am willing to admit that she might
have been free from the disposition
to kick when he had her and that
her new surroundings brought it on.
No two men have the same ways of
milking and otherwise handling COWS.
L now have a COW which prefers one
man to milk her to all others in the
stable. She will stand very quietly,
her head down chewing her cud
while that man is milking her, but
Is quite uneasy sometimes when er.y-
one else is doing the work.
No COW "a do her best when not
in the hands of compatible owners
Anything which disturbs her ply
sically, affects her milk, quantity
and quality. For this reason, every
man should either school himself to
treat his COWS according to their in
dlvldual natures or, if he cannot or
will not do this adapt his dairy to
his own disposition.
1t has been my aim to secure a
herd of quiet, ~peaceable COWS, as
free as possible from the tendency to
kick or otherwise make things I'M
pleasant in the stable. To this end,
L nave O1Cu 4LOm COWS WHICH were
freest from any tendency in those
directions. Then, 1 have insisted
that every one about the stable
should treat the COWS respe 3tfully. 1
use this word thoughtfully, for l am
sure that many men do not treat
their stock with the respect which
IS due them. No dogs ever are al
lowed in my yard or pasture with
my consent. No one does any yell
ing while milking. If "a cow hap
pens to strike one who is milking her
l the face with her tail, we put up
Win 1t n try to avoid such a thing
AFTER all it is largely a question of
Sne COWS owner and not so much
GhaG OF COW herself. Both need
SuAGI VdGlng. K 7, VTNCENH