Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-08-10
Fly Time.

Fly time and decreased milk produc-
tion generally 60 hand in hand. 1t Is
almost impossible to keep up the normal
flow of milk during the worst Of fly
time; but the pests can be warded off to
large extent. The COW is naturally a
very nervous animal, and whenever ex-
cited she cannot do justice to her
self. Milk secretion is largely ner-
vous process, and when flies worry and
excite the COW through the day it
cannot be expected that she will produce
normal quantities of milk. Then again,
she will not eat sufficient food for aver
age results during fly time. In order to
avoid the flies she will remain in the
shade or bushes the greater part of the
day. Some flies cause a direct loss by
sucking the blood, while others only
bite. General precautions should be
taken to keep the cattle as free from
| flies as possible.
A great deal can be accomplished by
keeping the stable and premises as free
from manure and decaying organic mat
ter as possible. Flies lay their eggs in
fresh manure around the barn or in decay.
ing organic matter, and these eggs hatch
out in about eight hours, forming the
we'll known white maggots which feed
upon manure. These soon pupate and
are transformed into ordinary adult flies,
which 60 on repeating the process time
after time until there are millions OF the
pests. 1t is much easier to keep the
manure and litter away from the prem
ises than it is to combat and ward OF
flies after they are matured. By OBJ
serving strict cleanliness one prevents
millions of them from coming into ex-
istence.
While one should take every possible
precaution to reduce the number OF flies,
we can keep those that are present from
causing much annoyance to the cows by
spraying. There are several prepara-
tions on the market that are good for
this purpose. The only objection to
these prepared forms is their cost. The
acting principle is the odor and taste
which are distasteful to the flies. They
NAV light on the animals back, but will
do little biting if she has been sprayed
recently. In choosing fly mixture one
should get one that is easily and quickly
applied in preference to one that must
be smeared on with the hands or applied
with a sponge. Anything that a small
hand sprayer will handle will prove sat
isfactory.
A mixture of three parts crude oil
with one part of crude carbolic acid is
excellent and cheap, or the kerosene
emulsion is effective. One can buy the
crude oil and acid of the local druggist
very cheaply. l have a regular jug that
I take for the purpose and the druggist
mixes the ingredients when he fills the
jug. When the flies are the most
the herd should be sprayed
twice day night and morning; at other
times once day is sufficient, preferably
in the morning. With compressed air
or pump sprayer, the time required to
spray is a small item. One should be
careful to strike all parts of the cow, es- |
pecially on the belly, around the tail
and along the back. Apply it before
the milking is begun and overcome lot
Of switching and stepping of the COW In |
trying to free herself from the pests.
When taken in time the spraying will
also keep away the species of fly that
lays the eggs which develop into grubs
on the back and sides. 1t cannot be
wondered at that COW cannot do we'll
when subjected to all these annoying
pests, and every precaution and prevent
i've should be taken to overcome the
harmful effects of fly time.-Archie E.
Vandervort, Sidney Ctr, n. Y.