Ch. XXXVI.] ON MILCH COWS, 401 



saltpetre being mixed with the milk, or of a proportion equal to one-eighth 

 of boiling water being added to it when left to stand for cream ; but this 

 we have found by experience has only very partially the effect attributed to 

 it. Common salt, however, if given in moderate quantities to cows, increases 

 the quantity, and improves the quality of the milk*. 



Tiie cows, when suffered to run dry, are by most farmers turned into 

 the straw-yard, and kept upon very inferior provender until shortly before 

 calving. This, however, is highly improvident ; for, although it is not 

 necessary to keep them during tliat time in full flesh, yet, if allowed to fall 

 off until they become lean, their milk will be found thin as well as defi- 

 cient ; and the .injury to the future stock, if the calves be reared, or the 

 consequent inferiority of the produce of the dairy, will more than equal any 

 saving that can be made in fodder. Milch kine should, in fact, be at all 

 times maintained not only in good condition, but in what may be termed a 

 " milky habit ;" and, for this purpose, a quantity of Swedes, or any succu- 

 lent roots, should always be given liberally along with sound wheat or oat 

 straw, and this will be generally found sufficient, even without hay, until 

 the opening of the pastures. 



The cows are milked during the autumn and winter months as soon as 

 possible after daylight, or in the summer, at about five o'clock in the morning, 

 and again at four or five in the afternoon ; thus leaving, as near as may 

 be, twelve hours between each. Some persons, indeed, milk them during 

 the latter season three times within the twentj^-four hours ; but although the 

 animals are then generally full of milk from their recent calving, as well as 

 in consequence of the succulence of the grass, and it might therefore be 

 thought a good practice, as being likely to augment the quantity, besides 

 easing the cow of her load ; yet experience has shown the contrary ; for the 

 udder is suiliciently capacious to contain it without inconvenience, and the 

 advantage supposed to be gained by the increase is not found to compen- 

 sate the additional trouble f. If milked more than twice a-day at one season 

 they also soon acquire the habit, and look for it at another when it is both 

 unnecessary and inconvenient. 



If they be distant from the homestead, and the weather be fine, it is 

 better to milk them abroad than to drive them to any considerable distance ; 

 for which reason it is extremely advisable to have some home paddocks close 

 to the house, where they can be put under cover while milking ; at which 

 time it is also expedient to lay before them some favourite food which they 

 can relish with an appetite ; for they will thus not only remain more quiet, but 

 they will also yield the milk with less reluctance. When stalled during the 

 winter, they are in many cases turned into a bare pasture about ten in the 

 morning, and housed again towards four in the afternoon, or as soon as 

 they show a desire of being taken up ; and this, in very cold or wet weather, 

 is much better than suffering them to stand shivering in a field without 

 shelter. 



The act of milking is one that requires great caution ; for if it be not 

 carefully and properly done, the quantity will be considerably diminished, 

 and the quality will also be inferior ; as not only is the first of the milk the 

 poorest, but it gradually becomes richer, until the last drainings of the udder, 

 — or what is commonly termed the "afterings," " strippings," or " stroak- 



* The quantity daily given to 40 cows and heifers on the late ]\Ir. Curwen's farm in 

 Cumbeilaud was collectively four ouiiccSi — Sinclair's) Agriculture, 3rd edit., App. p. 43. 

 f Lancashire Rep., p. a 17. 

 VOL. II, 2 D 



