The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-12-31

Seventeen COWS were supplying milk
for the dairy, and for years members
of this herd having been winning hon
Us in the show ring. Their owner
lmodestly brough forth the numerous
medals of gold, silver and bronze to
testify to their merits. One of the
most highly esteemed matrons in the
herd is ''NurSie," who, 800 days after
calving. made, in a public test, ,
pounds, ~ ounces of butter III "A
hours, thereby winning a silver medal
for her owner. La Sente Marionette
%. another magnificent specimen made
in public competition, ) pounds, AZ
LOUNGES. while her daughters yield was
three pounds in a single day.
These cattle are cared for with
rigid SYSTEM. In winter the cows are
allowed on pasture only a few hours
during the middle of the day, and are
fed hay and roots in a clean, comfort.
able stable. Like nearly all island
cows, they are tethered, a ten-foot
liberty is the range. Heifers freshen
at from % to "a months of age, &C.
cording to the size and development.
After calving, COWS are MIXED three
and often four times daily until the
flow of milk cause no Inconvenience
to the cow.
Calves are always left with the
mother three days. The surplus male
calves are killed at the end Of that
time. Some of the COWS are ever
dry, but it is preferred that they be
dry for a month. The calves are fed
no more than a quart of milk at
a time for the first few days; after
that the quantity is gradually increas-
ed; bran and hay are given later. If
the cali is affected with scours, car.
minative chalk is regarded as a safe
a speedy method.
Some Island Methods.
The dairy cans are fashioned after
the Jersey pattern, holding three gal.
Ions; while milking they are covered
with a sagging bottom cotton strain
er, in the bottom of which is placed
a fiat sea shell to prevent wear on
the strainer, keep the milk from
splashing and to retain any sediment
that may fall upon it during milking.
The dairy is an up-tO-date room with
separator and churn. The walls are
decorated with almost a continuous
freize of certificates which have &C
companied rewards of gold, silver and
bronze medals for both stock and the
product.
The hog pens and poultry quarters
were exceptionally clean and well ar.
ranged. The poultry was confined in
long, narrow runs and some OF these
yards were situated across the road
a subway passage connecting them
with the sleepilg quarters. Another
ingenious feature of the poultry house
was a small opening, large enough to
admit fowls, leading in a circular way
to the upper story. This was to guard
against theft.
Besides the father and son six men
are employed to- work on the farm.
Several generations have occupied
the house and a young grandson was
looked upon to take the place of those
who in natures course would pass to
the beyond.
The farm buildings were substantial,
and sweet with oft repeated white
washing. The large roomy dwelling
contained a bath room and a modern
range, and numerous other luXuries
which are only to be found in the
homes Of wealthy and refined people.
Many other farms were visited, but
the methods are SO similar that it
would be a repetition Of what has
already been written. And still one
feels an inclination to loiter for
months in the peaceful atmosphere of
these tiny, we'll titled farms and at
tractive homes, with their courteous,
genuine, hospitable people, their tender
ly cherished cattle. the smooth roads
winding through the shady hooks with
hedge bordered lanes, and on all sides,
forever and forever, in %changeful
moods, the surging waters of the Eng
lish channel.