THE DAIRY. 



of fast-growing trees, that will in a few years be able to cast quite an area of shade. The 

 best pasturage for milch cows is that afforded by good, old grass lands, in enclosures supplied 

 with shade, and where there is a constant supply of pure water. The best grass for dairy 

 produce is that which is so stocked as to keep it always fresh, green, and sweet. This is most 

 easily secured by having small enclosures and frequently changing the cows from one field to 

 another, thus giving each pasture rest and recuperation as needed. Should the season be 

 dry, and the pasture fail, then recourse must be had to soiling. A prudent forethought will 

 provide for such an exigency. What is desired, is a variety of grasses springing up in 

 succession, and that will bear cropping, by which means fresh pasturage can be had from 

 May until late in the autumn. 



Kind Treatment of Cows. The money value of quietness, gentleness, and good 

 temper in milch stock, is well known and appreciated by all practical farmers as a thing of 

 prime importance; however, in buying or breeding stock, they are quite too apt to overlook 

 these characteristics, qualities which to a certain extent are inherited from the parents, the 

 same as a disposition to fatten, quality of flesh, yield of milk, etc. An experience of many 

 years has taught us that kindness has a winning and gentling influence on all animals. We 

 have seen many heifers literally ruined by harsh and improper treatment. Even harsh tones, 

 to a nervous and naturally timid animal, are almost as abusive as blows and kicks, and no 

 man guilty of either should ever be allowed the care of cows. Gentle treatment should 

 commence early with the young calf, by frequent handling, feeding, and petting them from 

 day to day, and be continued until and after reaching the dairy. 



The calf should never know what it is to fear man; and if never treated harshly, 

 frightened or teased, will, almost without exception, be exempt from vicious habits. We 

 like to see milch cows, and, in fact all animals on the farm, so gentle and devoid of fear of 

 man, that their manner clearly indicates that they seem to regard man as their friend and 

 protector, stock that can be approached at any time in the pasture or stall, without 

 showing fear of being approached or handled. Such animals can not only be taken care of 

 with less labor than otherwise, but are really more valuable as far as the results are 

 concerned. It is not only of great importance that the diary stock should be of the best 

 quality, but that it should have good and kind care as well; even the best dairy breeds may 

 be rendered inferior, or comparatively worthless, by improper feeding, and cruel treatment. 



Thoroughbred and Native Cows Compared. As illustrating the difference 

 between thoroughbred and native cows, and the greater profit arising from using the former 

 in the dairy rather than our native cows, we propose to give some pertinent facts from 

 &quot;Waushakum Farm,&quot; Framingham, Mass., owned by E. L. Sturtevant, at present Director 

 of the New York Experiment Station. The following statement is made after six years of 

 methodical management, in which time the milk of each cow was weighed morning and 

 evening, an accurate account being kept meanwhile of all the food consumed, both as to 

 quantity and cost. 



For the first three years the herd of cows was composed of the best natives that could 

 be found in New England; a standing offer of $100 for any cow that would milk twenty 

 quarts a day, bringing the choicest animals from the country for miles around. It will bo 

 observed therefore that the native cows owned and tested by the Messrs. Sturtevant for the 

 first three years were what would be called a choice herd, though of no particular breed. 



The following are some of the results as given by Dr. Sturtevant in a recent lecture: 



Av. No. cows. Average yield per cow. 



&quot;First year, ..... . 35.7 5,678 pounds, or 2,160 quarts. 



Second year, . . . . . ... 36.3 4,837 pounds, or 2,229 quarts. 



Third year, ...... 27.4 4,015 pounds, or 1,850 quarts. 



Average number cows for three years, . . .33.1 Av. yield per cow 2,079 quarts. 



VOL. 1112. 



