318 DAIRYING COWS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT 



on the whole be got, but the additional expense debars the 

 practice, unless when the cow's comfort or the circumstances 

 of trade urgently demand it. 



Cows are, as a rule, kept in the house over night when 

 autumn frosts and cold or stormy weather come on, to pre- 

 vent, it is generally believed, the quantity of milk falling off 

 rapidly, except in those districts where cows are wintered out 

 of doors, with the result that they can easily be put dry at 

 any time. For the first few nights of indoor life the yield 

 shrinks, but it increases as the animals become accustomed to 

 the change, and remains pretty constant for a few weeks. 

 Experiments at Harper Adams' Agricultural College have 

 given results contrary to the general belief, and have 

 repeatedly shown that the best results are got by leaving 

 cows outside until it is time for them to dry off. 



During winter they are let out only once daily, or better, 

 twice if the fodder has been salted, to drink water and to lick 

 their skins. They do best of all when water in a highly-set 

 trough is within reach at all times. When the ground is 

 frost-bound and slippery, water should be carried to them. A 

 walk of a quarter of a mile to the water before drinking, and 

 the same in returning, prevents shivering, which frequently 

 occurs when cold water is given in the house. The exercise 

 also keeps the limbs in good condition, and helps to maintain 

 the constitution of the cow in a healthy state. 



Blain is a disease to which milch cows are subject, often 

 occurring soon after calving if they be turned out to drink 

 and stand about in cold weather, but the initial cause is to 

 be found in some derangement of the digestion. This is 

 followed by a " disturbance of the nerves of the blood-vessels 

 which allow their fluid contents to escape into the surround- 

 ing tissues." There is consequent swelling about the head, 

 particularly of the eyes and muzzle. " Tears flow over the 

 face, and a discharge escapes from the nose, while the breathing 

 is loud and difficult." A powerful stimulant, as whisky and 

 hot water, should be given, followed by a dose of 8 Ibs. of 

 warm treacle, or I Ib. of salts if treacle be not at hand. 



Cows acquire the habit, especially if going on the same 

 pasture from day to day, of finding the way towards the 

 milking-place at the right times. The hours for milking 

 should be regularly kept, and should divide the twenty-four 



