The Ordway new era., 1917-08-03
Dairy Farming
and Its Benefits
{ Continued from last. week.

many ways of the ordinary accidents
and ailments to which domestic ami
mails are subject which can be man
aged by an intelligent owner, or un-
der his direction, without profession
al assistance. Every man his own
cattle DOCTOR" is very delusive title
one may well follow this suggestion
within reasonable limits. but there is
always point hard to define at
which professional aid should be
promptly summoned. So long as the
owner is certain as to the difficulty,
and has knowledge and experience
as to treatment or remedy, he may
depend upon home resources. But
in case of obscurity, uncertainty, or
complications, the owner of a good
cow disregards his own interests and
his moral obligations If he fails to
summon a veterinarian. as much as
II he neglected to secure proper medi-
cal service for a sick child. And the
veterinarian should be selected with
the same care one exercises in choos-
ing a family physician.
Envoirment - Close confinement
with impure air and lack of exercise,
is as prejudical to the health of
milch cows as to that Of human be-
ings. Some recently promulgated
theories of dark warm stables and no
exercise for profitable milk produc-
ton are without rational basis and
certain to lead to disastrous results
and cold is equally injurious to the
health and profit of cows. A judi
cious means is the provision for mod
crate exercise in the open air and
sunshine. and the application of the
same commonsense care for the COM
fort OF cows which one would ap-
prove for members of his own house
hold.
Watchfulness-Every member of
the herd. young or old, should pass
under the critical eye of the owner
or his trusty assistant daily, and pre-
ferably twice a day. The least SYM
Of appetite. rough coat, and irregu-
larity of milk, manure, or urine.
should be noted and promptly receive
the attention which it deserves. Ex-
perience is needed on the part Of the
caretaker to detect and correct the
beginning Of the trouble. and thus
maintain the general health of the
herd.
FALL-FRESH MOST PROFITABLE
Much has been written upon the
best season for cows to drop their
calves. Opinions still differ, and by
far the greater number of milch
cows are allowed to follow the most
natural course, and either by indiff-
erence on intention they come in"
in the spring. The producer of milk
for sale, II he has an even trade, may
want to have about an equal number
Of fresh cows every month in the
year. II the bull is kept up and SER
vice controlled, this can be regulated
as rule, although unpleasant irregu-
larities in breeding will sometimes
occur and stubbornly resist correc-
tion. But II the prime object is to
produce the greatest quantity of milk
of the best quality and at the great
est profit from any given number of
cows should be managed SO as to
calve in the autumn months. For
like reasons, September is the best
month. in most parts of the country,
for a heifer to drop her first calf in
order to best develop as a COW. and
this almost regardless of the age of
the animal at first calving. Calves
born in the fall are easier reared and
make better cows than those born in
the spring and summer. 1t seems
needless to rehearse the stock argu-
ments on this subject. based upon
the long experience of successful
dairymen, but brief recapitulation
may be useful. The COW or heifer
calving in the fall needs the most
healthy and nutritious pasturage just
following the strain and while COM
ing, into full flow. Just at the time
when some falling off is likely to oc-
cur, the animal is brought to the
stable and receives good care; the
winter feeding and the returns from
it may be depended upon to exceed
the midsummer results for any like
period. At the stage Of. milking and
Of CESSATION. when another dropping
of In the milk yield may be looked
Tor the fresh pasturage induces q
fresh how, fengthens the milking
season. and increases the years, total
product. December and January are