224 [Senate 



plus substances convertible into manure, are piled upon this platform 

 (24 feet long) a sufficient quantity to absorb the urine caught from 

 stables, chamber slops, strong suds, salt brine, and all kinds of slops 

 of any virtue as manure ; these are drawn v^ith a vehicle fitted for it 

 and discharged into one end of the bass trough, which conducts them 

 to the reservoir to remain till needed ; the compost heap is kept co- 

 vered to prevent being leached by excessive rains ', this heap soon 

 becomes a stinking mass, and when used is mixed with the soil to 

 prevent its evaporation. 



Cutthig and curing Fodder. 



All kinds of grass are cut for fodder, if possible, near the time when 

 the blossom closes, as it soon after becomes too much like grain straw 

 for milch cows. All kinds of fodder intended for cows are cut before 

 the seed matures, and cured without being wet with dew or rain after 

 wilting, and dried so that its color will not change in the mow ; four 

 quarts of salt per ton is used in packing hay when necessary. 



Feeding and Management of Cows. , 



He who would be a successful feeder, and make large products 

 with moderate means, must look well to the physical economy of the 

 animal in feeding. 



The capacity of cows for giving milk is varied much by habit. In 

 fall after the season of feeding is over, I feed four quarts of wheat 

 bran or shorts, made into slop with whey, or a peck of roots per day 

 to each cow till milking season closes, (about the first of December.) 

 When confined in stables and fed hay and milked, they are fed each 

 one pail full of thin slop at morning before foddering, and at eve- 

 ning, to make their food more succulent, and they will not drink so 

 much cold water when let out in the middle of the day. In cold 

 weather, cows kept well attended in warm stables. No foddering is 

 done on the ground. The supply of milk is kept up, while the cows 

 get in good flesh, their blood and bags are left in healthy condition, 

 when dried off. This flesh they hold till milk season in spring, with- 

 out other feed than good hay. They will not get fleshy bags but 

 come into milk at once. About the first of April they are carded 

 daily, till turned to grass. Wheat bran in milk, or whey slops or 

 roots, are daily fed, as they are found best adapted to the nature of 

 different cows, and most likely to establish a uniform flow of milk 

 till grass comes. 



Every possible means are used to keep perfect quiet among 

 the cows in order that their habits may become regular ; when in 

 heat they are confined and fed until the excitement is over. 



No dog is allowed to be kept on the premises, and no cow driven 

 faster than a walk ; they are let into a milking barn at a whistle as a 

 sign that they may come in and take the whey, — when they readily 

 take their places, four feet apart, when one whole side, (twelve in num- 

 ber,) are confined with a single motion of a spring lever, and when 



