152 Dairy Management. 



were likewise discontinued, with the exception of one made on 

 the 8th of October, when the cows were confined wholly to their 

 stalls. 



Comparison of different Methods of Feeding Dairy Cows. 



Belng^ desirous of comparing the result of my method of 

 feeding dairy cows with the system usually practised in this 

 locality, it occurred to me that as my cows had been accus- 

 tomed to savoury steamed food, a change to ordinary food would 

 be attended with less favourable results than if they had been 

 previously treated in the common mode ; and that under these 

 circumstances it would be better to institute comparisons with 

 two near neighbours, Mr. Smith and Mr. Pawson, whose prac- 

 tice and results I had the opportunity of inspecting. 



Mr. Smith's cow was of rather small frame, but noted for her 

 usefulness as a good milker. At the time of calving her third 

 calf, about the 12th of November, she was in good condition, and 

 gave soon after 17 quarts of milk per day. Her owner states that 

 in the first three weeks (up to the time this comparison was begun) 

 her condition sensibly diminished — a result wliich I apprehend 

 will be invariable with cows giving this quantity of milk when 

 fed on meadow hay only, with which Mr. Smith's cow was sup- 

 plied ad libitum, and of which she consumed 28 lbs. per day. 

 Mr. Pawson's was a nice heifer, three years old at the time of 

 calving her first calf, October 6th, in more than ordinary con- 

 dition, and gave about 16 quarts per day. Her owner states, that 

 on the 1st of January her condition was much diminished ; this 

 is corroborated by Mr. Myers, a dealer in the village, who tells 

 me, that previous to her calving, he Avas desirous of purchasing 

 her, and would have given from 17/. \0s. to 18/., and describes 

 her as being at that time full of beef. Her weight on the 1st of 

 January, 7 cwts. 2 qrs., bespeaks her condition as much lowered. 



During the month of October and till late in November, she 

 was turned out in the daytime to graze on aftermath and housed 

 during the night, where she was supplied with turnips. From 

 the close of November till the first week in February her food 

 consisted of — 



Meadow-hay of inferior quality . . . . 18 lbs. per day. 



Swede turnips 45 „ 



Ground oats 9 „ 



After this the ground-oats were discontinued and meadow-hay 

 of good quality was given ad libitum, with 45 lbs. of turnips. 



For comparison 1 selected a cow of my own, which calved 

 about the 8th of October, and gave soon after 18 quarts of milk 

 per day ; she was also of small size. At the time of calving 



