114 THE JERSEY, ALDERNEY AND GUERNSEY COW 



moved, generally every three hours, and sometimes 

 oftener ; drink is given to them in the morning on leav- 

 ing the stable, and at noon ; if it be summer-time, they 

 receive it also in the evening. About the month of 

 May they are allowed to remain out at night, and con- 

 tinue so until the end of October, when the system of 

 housinor above described recommences. During sum- 

 mer, cows are frequently milked three times a day ; and 

 when the weather becomes very warm, they are brought 

 into the stable for a few hours, else they would be tor- 

 mented by flies. At this period (height of summer) a 

 great diminution takes place in their milk ; but as the 

 heat ceases toward the fall, it rapidly springs up again 

 to what it was in the spring : this is the time when but- 

 ter is crocked for winter supply. A cow is in her 

 prime at six years of age, and continues good until ten 

 years old ; many are kept that are much older, but then 

 they begin to fall off. In general, cows have their first 

 calf when much too young; at two years old is their 

 usual time, but then their produce is small, and con- 

 tinues so for at least a twelvemonth, when it gradually 

 increases until it arrives at maturity. A good cow on 

 the average gives fourteen quarts of milk per day, or 

 eight or nine pounds of butter per week : instances are 

 common of cows giving twelve or even fourteen pounds 

 of butter in one week, but that is above the average 

 figure." 



Perfect cleanliness in every part of the cow-house is 

 of essential importance — to judge from the filthy con- 



