Feed and Care of the Dairy Cow. 471 



ing water. The dairyman should convince himself, by using his 

 nose as well as his eyes, that the water in these devices is pure 

 and wholesome. 



Whatever method of watering is employed, let uniformity pre- 

 vail, the cows having opportunity to secure all they wish without 

 fear of one another or of being forced to undergo hardship in 

 securing it. Often the dairyman boasts of a spring or creek at 

 which his cows may help themselves. These sources of supply 

 are sometimes a long distance from the stable, and the animals 

 are daily forced to make journeys to them, often in inclement 

 weather, thereby experiencing discomfort and actual hardship. 

 A good well with wind-mill will prove superior to springs and 

 brooks in most cases, because with these water can be delivered 

 when and where it is needed. (628) 



711. Salt. Though little is known from investigation on this 

 subject, it is evident from the extreme fondness of dairy cows for 

 salt that this article should be regularly and abundantly supplied 

 them. The necessity for salt increases with the amount of con- 

 centrates given. From three- fourths to one ounce of salt daily is 

 a reasonable allowance. It should be supplied daily rather than 

 at irregular or infrequent periods in larger quantities. The prac- 

 tice of placing large lumps of rock salt where they are accessible 

 to the herd is satisfactory, provided the salt is kept under cover 

 in a clean box. (72, 629) 



II. Feed for the Dairy Cow. 



712. Necessity for concentrated feed. The dairy cow when 

 yielding a liberal supply of milk should be regarded as an animal 

 at hard labor. We have seen that the work-horse must have 

 more grain and less roughage as his labor increases, and the same 

 is true with the cow. (Chapter XVII, Part II.) A portion of 

 the provender must therefore take the form of grain or concen- 

 trates. Moreover, if she is yielding a large amount of milk, i. e., 

 working hard, it is best to aid her by reducing the grain to fine- 

 ness by grinding. The dry cow is doing little work and can sub- 

 sist on less feed, and this may be coarser in character. 



713. The relation of concentrates to roughage. The relation 

 of concentrates to roughage should always be borne in mind. 



