Oxford Democrat., 1904-02-02
To Make Dairviug Successful.

To Make Dairying Successful.
From paper recently read by Hon. J. A. Rob
erts Of Norway
The wise dairymen knows that to
make his business successful and profit.
able his cows must be kept in healthy
and vigorous condition, strength of con-
stitution and freedom from disease is
the central idea he must ever have in
mind. When he becomes forgetful of
these necessary conditions, when he
allows disease TO creep in through negli-
nence, or when he deliberately invites ii
through mismanagement of his herd, all
the efforts of years may finally result in
failure and possibly in disaster.
We have been receiving instruction in
the dairy business in this state for many
years, much of it judicious and valuable,
some of it unwise and misleading. As
an example of the latter, we mention the
statement of meIlber of the Bureau of
Agriculture in an address some years
ago that il was safe to feed a COW S
quarts of cotton seed meal each day.
We have been taught to think of the COW
as a machine and consequently to be
treated as such.
Under such teachings, hundreds of ex-
tremely promising animals have been
driven beyond the limit of their natural
capacity until their capability for pro-
duction has become seriously impaired
and their offspring but weaklings.
Under this false teaching too many
have come to look upon their cows in
much the same way they look upon a
machine and 10 treat them In almost the
same way.
We understand full well now that the
dairy COW is something more than ma
chine she has been endowed with life.
She sees, she hears, she feels. In way
she reasons and has in large measure
that greatest of ali gifts to man or ami
NAL, affection. She is sensitive TO fear
and even watchful to defend herself or
escape from what seem to her, impend-
ing dangers. She is capable of appre-
ciating kind treatment and, though the
make up of her being, we'll repays her
owner for such in an increased product.
Man lives as he himself dictates, but the
COW has no power of choice as to the con-
dition in which she shall live, the food
she shall eat or the care that will make
her lot comfortable or uncomfortable.
The present dairy COW is a natural de-
velopment under such condition as man
has placed her. She could not long sur
viye if placed back in the condition
which surrounded her ancestors centuries
ago. All the same, she is product of
nature and as such is subject to the laws
of nature, as much so as were her anceS-
tors. While she cannot endure exposure
without detriment she is unable to main
tain vigorous condition or hardy when
shut up away from sunshine and fresh
air and forbidden to take exercise.
While she cannot subSist and do her
work upon the scanty herbage that fed
.her ancestors, she cannot stand the ex-
tremely large rations of concentrated
food that are poured into her, day in and
day out, for the largest part of the year.
The COW of to-day is natural product
and will do a large amount of work, but
her capacity is limited and when you
undertake to drive her beyond that limit,
you begin to undermine her powers and
possibilities.
Cows need exercise and it is a cruelty
to deprive them of it. Let them 90 out
doors a brief time every suitable day,
Warmth is valuable, but fresh air is
equally SO. Cows should be given a
grain ration, but not too much of it..
They should not be MIXED the year
round, they need rest of at least 60
days in every year.
They should have a balanced ration
while not in milk but not So much grain.
They should be fed and watered at the
same hour each day.
They should be MIXED and receive all
care ut the same hour each day. Regu-
larity and strict attention to details are
necessary TO success. Take good care
of the heifer calf and the heifer when
she is no longer calf. Save heifers from
cows that make the most profit out OF
the feed they consume.
Other things being equal, save heifers
from cows that have constitutional vigor
sufficient To enable them to work to a
good old age.
Provide plenty of bedding. Sawdust
is the best for it purifies the air. Build
a silo, fill it to the top with the best corn
you can grow.
Raise clover, and in quantity. Be
gentle and cheerful in the care of your
stock and greater profit will be realized.