No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 275 



lack of auytiiiug that is expected by the cow will to a greater or less 

 extent interfere with the perfect working of the cow as a machine. 

 Fright has a powerful influence to take the fat out of milk. If the 

 cow is driven to the barn by a barking cur, if she is beaten with the 

 milk-stool for not standing still a less quantity of a poorer quality of 

 milk is sure to result. If she stands out in zero weather until 

 chilled or is compelled to occupy a cold stable, the owner is punished 

 for his lack of kindness by a decided lack of milk and cream. In 

 general, it can be said that anything that makes the cow uncomforta- 

 ble in mind or body will both lessen the quantity of milk and de- 

 crease the per cent, of fat. 



The quantity of milk can be varied between large extremes, and 

 it can be said in general, that a cow of the true dairy type gives more 

 milk, the more food she digests. The largest net profit is usually 

 obtained by feeding a cow palatable, healthy and easily digested 

 food, almost to the limit of her capacity. 



If a richer milk is desired it must be obtained by getting a differ- 

 ent cow. In concise language, obtain quality of milk by breeding 

 and quantity by feeding. But remember that only good, wholesome 

 food given in clean, healthy surroundings will produce a quality of 

 milk, cream or butter satisfactory to the patrons, and that the 

 kindly treatment which keeps the cow comfortable in mind and 

 body is the only method that will return full value for the food con- 

 sumed. 



ROUND TABLE— SECTION A. 



(CONDUCTED BY PROFS. MAIBS AND COOKE.) 



PKOF. MAIRS: Here is a man who asks me a question as follows: 

 ''Will the Prof, please explain a little his objection to shredded or 

 cut stover?" I will explain that in this way. I don't know that I 

 object to it seriously, but my^ objection to it is on account of the 

 fact that an ordinary man compels cows to eat more shredded stover 

 than is good for them. A cow will eat a lot of the indigestible por- 

 tion, and in handling that, it takes some of her energies which should 

 have been devoted to something else. Ordinarily she will eat a 

 part of the tip that is left when the cow is fed the whole stover. It 

 is not economical to make the cow eat that. She will often be com- 

 pelled to eat that in the shredded stover. It would be better to 

 throw that out and use it for bedding. 



A Member: How is it about the butts of corn-stalks? 



PROF. MAIRS: The butts of corn-stalks are also indigestible. It 

 is generally believed, and has been very thoroughly demonstrated 

 that the corn-cob with the corn on which it grows — there are cer- 

 tain products in there which were thought to be indigestible but 



