166 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



to him the necessity of giving his cows the very best care 

 possible, and it would seem that nothing was needed to be 

 said upon this point ; but, certainly, in observing the manner 

 in which many persons treat their stock, it would appear that 

 it was of small consequence. Although a good breed is 

 essential to the development of the highest qualities, yet, 

 after all, even common varieties, with the proper care and 

 feeding, can be made nearly equal in productiveness to the 

 thoroughbred. 



As to good grades, the only difference is the greater cer- 

 tainty in accomplishing it with the latter rather than with the 

 former. This shows, very conclusively, how much can be 

 accomplished when attention is given to the care and feeding. 

 A plenty of good food is not alone necessary ; it is, to be sure, 

 one of the principal factors in the problem, but without the 

 other factor, good care, it loses half its value. 



But what are we to understand by good feeding and good 

 care ? By good feeding we mean a suitable supply of nour- 

 ishing food, and of such variety as is capable of affording the 

 means of producing the largest product of milk, and keeping 

 the animal in good, hearty, thriving condition. The food 

 should be given in proportional quantities, at regular inter- 

 vals, systematically, and in regular order. There should be 

 enough and none to spare at each feeding, to insure its being 

 eaten, while at the same time the stomach is not overladen, 

 and can easily digest it, and the appetite is thereby not 

 cloyed. TVe have not space to enter into the detail of the 

 different kinds of food, such as relates to their elements of 

 nutrition or milk-producing qualities. We can only speak in 

 general terms, leaving those minute details, which can be 

 found in the more elaborate works which we would advise 

 every farmer to study carefully. 



By good care we mean all that which relates to the comfort 

 of the animal, such as warmth, cleanliness, shelter, ease in 

 the stall, etc. A good shelter, free from all winds and 

 draughts, should always be provided. No animal can be 

 comfortable in a barn with large cracks between the board- 

 ing, or open or half-closed windows and doors, through 

 which the frosty wintry wind finds easy ingress. Shivering 

 and pinched with the cold, how is it possible for any animal 



