MiLcn cows. 



151 



not only for the j'ield of milk, but for their comfort at all seasons 

 of the year, in the heat and cold as well as in stormy weather — 

 for you are aware that the changes in our climate arg frequent and 

 often very sudden, both in summer and winter. See that our 

 stables have proper ventilation as well as warmth ; dry floors at all 

 seasons of the year, with bedding during the cold weather ; kind 

 and gentle treatment at all times; regular feed with a good supply 

 of water and salt, and the same person milking the same cows as 

 much as possible ; and when turned from the barn to the pasture 

 to shift for herself on the green grass, see that there is no lack of 

 feed and good water, if there is, supply them at the stables with 

 the amount required, in meal, shorts and such other nutritious 

 substances as may come to hand ; and during the fall months, 

 when the feed is short and dry, feed with sweet corn fodder and 

 roots, and if more is needed, add meal and shorts. 



With this treatment to your cows, and I speak whereof I know, 

 you may expect an average of ten quarts of milk per day for 

 twenty-six weeks, making four hundred and fifty-five gallons ; and 

 for the next thirteen weeks, five quarts per day, one hundred 

 and thirteen gallons, making, in the aggregate, five hundred 

 and sixt3^-eight gallons in nine months, leaving three months, one- 

 fourth of the year, for her calf. Allowing two and one-half gal- 

 lons of milk to make one pound of butter, we have in the aggregate 

 two hundred and twenty-seven pounds of butter, and the butter 

 at thirty cents per pound you have sixty-eight dollars and ten 

 cents ; and with the calf at four weeks old at six dollars you have 

 in the aggregate seventy-four dollars and ten cents ; at twenty- 

 five cents per pound, with the calf, sixty-two dollars and ninety- 

 five cents; or the milk at three cents per quart, and the calf, you 

 have seventy-four dollars and sixteen cents — this last leaving a 

 better margin than when manufactured into butter at thirty cents 

 per pound. 



It is about a fair estimate to call the yearly feed of the cow at 

 fifty dollars, twenty-two dollars for hay and the same for grain 

 and roots, and six dollars for pasturing — leaving a margin of about 

 twenty dollars, allowing her droppings and skimmed milk to pay 

 for her care. 



And here let me say, that a cow with this treatment from the 

 time of her dropping her first calf, at three years old, will at the 

 age of ten years, nearly, if not quite, cease her flow of milk, and 



