TO RAISE A GOOD COW. 259 



as well as the best methods of disposing of her products, are of 

 no small importance to the farmers of Massachusetts. 



MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY. 



We do not propose to speak of the different breeds of cows, 

 nor to select any one as best adapted for a special purpose. 

 There are, at least, half a dozen different breeds in the State, 

 some of which are specially adapted to the wants of the farmer 

 in one locality, while others would be equally good and perhaps 

 better in other sections. 



The good qualities of the different breeds have been so often 

 discussed in the agricultural papers and elsewhere, that we pre- 

 sume farmers generally have selected such as best suit them for 

 that branch of dairy farming which they wish to follow. But 

 the general management of the different dairies is or should be 

 nearly the same in all. We believe there are very many intel- 

 ligent farmers in this State who do not manage their dairies, 

 as to raising, feeding, &c, as they should. Much depends upon 

 the management of the young heifer whether she makes a good 

 or a fair dairy cow. A heifer can, by careful treatment, be 

 taught to be a good milker. 



We are told that the cow, in its natural or wild state, barely 

 gives milk enough to raise her young; and there are certain 

 herds in this country where size and form are especially sought 

 for, that will do but little more ; while at the present time, 

 there are cows in our midst that give twenty to twenty-four 

 quarts per day for a considerable time during the best of the 

 season. But this improvement is brought about only by skil- 

 ful management. 



To raise a good cow we should first select a calf from a well- 

 bred mother that is fully matured, say from three to nine years 

 old, and known to be a good milker. The father should be 

 thoroughbred, not less than two years old, and descended from 

 a good milking family. We should prefer the calf to be an 

 early one, not later than March, and if earlier it is better. By 

 being early the calf gets a good start in the spring, and will, 

 if well cared for, come to the barn in the fall, large, strong and 

 healthy, and will usually come in when, two years old and make 

 a good-sized cow. 



There is nothing so good for the calf as new milk, either 



