264 Management of Dairy Cattle. 



cattle (of which 60 to 80 pass through my stalls in a year), with- 

 out exception, to eat the requisite quantity. jNoris the flavour of 

 the cake in the least perceptible in the milk or butter. 



During- May, my cows are turned out on a rich pasture near the 

 homestead ; towards evening they are again housed for the night, 

 when they are supplied with a mess of the steamed mixture and 

 a little hay each morning and evening. During June, when the 

 grasses are better grown, mown grass is given to them instead of 

 hay, and they are also allowed two feeds of steamed mixture. 

 This treatment is continued till October, when they are again 

 wholly housed. 



The results which I now proceed to relate are derived from 

 observations made with the view of enabling me to understand 

 and regulate my own proceedings. 



Gain or Loss of Condition ascertained hy Weigldng Cattle 

 ■periodically. 



For some years back I have regularly weighed my feeding stock, 

 a practice from which I am enabled to ascertain their doings 

 with greater accuracy than I could previously. In January, 1854, 1 

 commenced weighing my milch cows ; it has been shown by what 

 I have premised that no accurate estimate can be formed of the 

 effect of the food on the production of milk, without ascertaining 

 its eifect on the condition of the cows. I have continued the 

 practice once a month almost without omission up to this 

 date. The weighings take place early iia the morning, and 

 before the cows are supplied with food ; the weights are re- 

 gistered, and the length of time (15 months) during which I 

 have observed this practice enables me to speak with confidence 

 of the results. 



Tlie cows in full milk yielding 12 to 16 quarts each per day 

 vary but little — some losing, others gaining, slightly ; the balance 

 in the month's weighing of this class being rather to gain. It is 

 common for a cow to continue a yield from six to eight months 

 before she gives below 12 quarts per day, at which time she has 

 usually, if not invariably, gained weight. 



The cows giving less than 12 quarts, and down to 5 quarts per 

 day, are found when free from ailment to gain without exception. 

 This gain, with an average yield of nearly 8 quarts per day, is 

 at the rate of 7 lbs. to 8 lbs. per week each. 



My cows in calf I weigh only in the incipient stages, but they 

 gain perceptibly in condition, and consequently in value : they 

 are milked till within four to five weeks previous to calving. I 

 give the weights of three of these, and also of one heifer, which 

 calved in March, 1855 : — 



