The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-13
COWS FRESHENJNG.


Not the least of the factors determining
the profits TO be derived from a herd Of
cows is the time of year allotted TO the
greatest flow of milk. In every locality
there are certain times of the year when
the product brings an increased price.
This may vary with the conditions of
different localities. Each man should
study this fact in connection with his
local conditions at regards economy Of
production at different seasons of the
year and breed his cows accordingly.
The Otsego Farmer prints the follow
ing which is applicable in a general way:
The general rule is for spring calving,
but the best time is the fall There are
many reasons in support of this state
ment. A great many experiments have
been carried on during a number of years
in various parts of the world and these
all go TO show that from fall calving
cows about % per cent more milk is OBJ
tanned than from spring calving. The
reasons are obvious. During the winter
the COW is free from drouth. heat and
dies, and her yield is thus not affected,
when right in the flush Of the milk, as
is too often the case. Then the spring
grass coming toward the close of her
period OF lactation serves as an inspira-
ton to her wea ming powers and greatly
increases the waning flow OF milk.
Milk and butter usually bring better
prices in winter than IN summer There
is usually more time on the farm to at
tend to the cattle, calves are more eco
nomically raised. since by the time the
spring grass shoots UP they are ready
for it, and are in good condition the next
winter TO begin their duties. Midsummer
and dog days are good time for the
cow to be dry; stabling is uncomfortable
and the handling and care of the milk
is more troublesome than at any other
time In short, four fall-fresh cows have
been found to equal five which calved in
the spring. in twelve months product.
and at about four-fifths the cost"
The Maryland agricultural station. Bull
letin rs, is on The Dehorning of Cattle"
from which We make the following digest.
The horns of cattle were evidently given
them as a means of defense. With their
domestication the need Of horns has
ceased, and in most cases are q positive
injury to the herd and a menace TO the
attendants.
Two general methods of dehorning ex-
list. One is to remove the horns after the
animal has passed two years of age.
The other IS TO kin the horn when ii
first commences TO grow, or can be felt
on the head of the calf In the early
history of dehorning. the mature animal
alone was operated upon, and the instru-
ment in common use was a sharp saw.
he oH,ro 1lxy Il
carded and clippers made especially for
this purpose came into use. The use of
the clippers required less preparation in
the way of fastenings, and consequently
less attendant excitement. No particular
fastening, other than a strong halter with
a turn of the rope around a solid fence
post was needed The clippers could be
slipped over the horn, and with one mo-
ton, requiring barely a second OF time.
the work was done, and both horns could
be taken from a cow in less than hall
a minute. The clippers have crushing,
bruising effect. and evidently cause great
pain for an instant, but it Is doubtful
If the pain is any more severe than
when the saw was used, and the clippers
require much less time for the operation.
In using either the clippers or the saw
It is necessary to get about one-eighth
or one-fourth inch below where the skin
and horns grow together to insure no
further growth. Where this precaution
is not taken, the horn is likely to con-
tinue TO grow and in a few years the
head presents rather undesirable ap-
pearance Between the operation of the
two instruments, the saw and the clip
pers, there is very little choice as re-
CARDS the quality Of the work done. The
clippers crush the outside horn a little,
and possibly do not leave as smooth a
surface as the saw, but in healing this
is covered up and one is practically as
good as the other.