The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-10-24
RAND PLAYS FOR COWS.
Strains of Classical Compositions En-
anate From Big Barns.

county. have been entertained 1or
weeks past, by strains of dulcet mu-
sic. emanating from the ample barns
If q. big estate, the owner and pro-
nrietor of which is Al. Field.
Those in ignorance of the owner
ship of the broad acres over wnlcn
thew passed were. impressed with a
vague idea of a picnic at which the
town band had been employed to pro-
vide musical entertainment. Others
guessed that the proprietor of Maple
villa Farm was having a huskin' bee,
although the season was too early
for that sort of thing, and they might
have known better.
Still others we're convinced that AL.
Field, finding it necessary in these
uar times to exercise economy, was
rehearsing his minstrel band and per-
haps the troupe, too, in his capaclous
barn building.
EMUSIC d6UU SlL0IADs
They we're all wrong. One and ALL
they had forgotten that classic line
which declares that "Music hath
charms to soothe the savage breast
and if they had remembered they
certainly would have hesitated to ap-
NV It. No Savage breasts turks in
Maple Villa Farm. But there are
plenty of domesticated beasts.
The secret finally leaked out, how
ever. A curious traveller ventured up
the broad avenue leading to the
barns and peered in and-this is what
he saw: AL. G. himself, presiding
at a recital of his famous minstrel
band, each musician in uniform and
the guests ranged about in stalls,
much like his city theatre-going pa
irons have in the past and will in
future be seen, %ensconced in the box
es at the theatre. It was an ar1sto-
cratic audience.
The guests, in this instance, how
ever. were fo%ur-footed. They were
the ~princesses, duchesses and count
esses of Jersey, Aldern and Guernsey
and they were being right royalty
entertained. That they enjoyed the
concert was plain to be seen, and, as
Al. G. explained eventually to his
amazed and unlimited visitor, each
gave vent to her enjoyment by CO.
pious squirts of that popular and now
patriotic beverage, milk.
Al. Field Explains.
In all seriousness, dear reader,
that is just what occurred, that
amazing early evening in July, when
the curious passerby investigated the
unsolved mystery Of the barnyard
Lorelei. Al. Field and his band were
the yield of milk At the next milk
ing. the COWS exhibited no nervous
ness. The music for this milking
was very soft, the string instruments
predominating. The yield of milk
was greater than that previous to the
Introduction of music.
One milking was passed. The
yield of milk was normal. Again
music was introduced and there was
a rain in the yield Of milk-a pro-
nounced gain.
It was not practical to have the or"
tchestra at the next milking, but the
victrola was used with good results.
Mr.. Field has placed a victrola in
the feed room Of the milking barn,
using records of music of the quieter
kind, as it was noted that the cows
evidenced nervousness as the music
became louder. Even human voices
blended in song interested the cows.
One nervous COW, always fdgety and
consequently difficult to milk, yield
ed readily to the influence of song,
standing quietly as long as the song
continued.
Employees Affected, Too.
Later on the orchestra was
brought into play again and there
was an increase in the flow of milk
from the herd. The last test with
the orchestra showed an actual in
e a in the yield of milk from the
rs cows, over the first test, despite
the fact that the pasturage was very
poor, owing to a ver drouth.
All persons who witnessed the tests
are of the same opinion, namely, that
music is beneficial to dairy COWS. 1t
soothes and allays their nervousness,
particularly when flies are most an
noying. The music not only soothes
the COWS, increasing their milk flow
but has it's good influence upon those
who handle the COWS.
The victrola is the cheapest and
most practical of all musical instru-