304 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



abnormally rich in fat. For this reason, most persons who 

 are engaged in officially testing their cows, start them on 

 test in as good condition as possible; for the body fat is 

 more or less milked off into the pail, especially during the 

 first two or three weeks. It has been estimated that the 

 milk during this time will contain from 1 to 2 per cent 

 more fat than is usual in ordinary flesh. Eckles, in express- 

 ing his objection to seven-day official tests, referring to those 

 of the Holstein-Friesian says: "The average per cent of fat 

 for the breed is 3.45, but many seven-day tests are now 

 reported with a per cent of fat over 4.50, and several above 

 5 per cent." 



A comparison of first and last drawn milk shows that 

 the first milk contains a larger per cent of water, and less 

 total solids and fat than the last drawn. This fact suggests 

 that, if one is to feed part of the milk from a single cow to 

 a calf, it will be wiser to feed the first drawn and reserve the 

 last for family use. 



The influence of the weather on milk production is quite 

 marked. If the weather turns cool and the cattle are exposed 

 to rain in an unusual degree, the probabilities are that the 

 milk yield will fall off to some extent, but will show some 

 increase in butter-fat content. Warm weather under ordi- 

 nary food conditions would, therefore, promote milk flow 

 rather than do otherwise. If there is a drouth, and the 

 cows are kept on pastures that are badly dried up, then the 

 milk yield may rapidly diminish, unless there is resort to 

 extra feeding. It has been assumed that in hot weather the 

 biting of many flies reduces the milk yield, but the evidence 

 on this point is lacking. In fact, such information as we 

 have indicates that flies have little or no effect on milk yield. 



The effect of different foods on the flavor and quality of 

 milk is very marked. Cows that eat wild onions or garlic 

 transmit the characteristic flavors of these to the milk. 

 Rye and turnips, unless fed soon after milking, give an 



