DAIRY MANAGEMENT, THE MILK TRADE, ETC. 89 



longer, and the fermentation is possibly greater. Lastly, waste 

 steam is frequently passed through the chaff, roots, and meal, 

 and the whole partially cooked. This is particularly desirable 

 in case the fodder is inferior ; mouldy hay is much sweetened 

 and made more palatable. Food so treated must be presently 

 used, or it turns sour and is not so readily eaten. The success 

 of the cooking system depends mainly upon good management 

 and constant supervision. Men are apt to become careless, and 

 omit to thoroughly clean out mangers or coppers, or allow the 

 food to become sour, and thus upset the appetite. 



The chief point in this question of cooking is to consider 

 whether or not the cows give an increased supply of milk, or 

 whether they will maintain their usual supply upon a less costly 

 ration. If so, is the increased return sufficient to cover the 

 extra cost of labour and fuel, and to leave a larger profit than 

 is available when cooking is not resorted to. It is also well 

 worth considering whether the cows themselves are in any way 

 constitutionally affected. 



The cost of a ration for cows of and above medium size is 

 generally from Is. to Is. 4d. per day in winter. These sums 

 provide a liberal diet, and one which is a valuable assistant in 

 the manufacture of good manure, and consequently in producing 

 larger crops. Where a number of cows are kept the cost of 

 attendance should not exceed the commonly accepted sum of Is. 

 a week. The tendency in feeding should always be to diminish 

 the use of hay and roots, even though more artificials have to be 

 purchased, as this encourages a corresponding diminution in the 

 cost of labour and an increase in the productiveness of the land. 

 As the cow loses her milk the quantity of artificial food may be 

 reduced, and if she is grazed, during the summer, half of the 

 year, she will probably not cost more for pasturage than 3s. 6d. a 

 week or 4s. 6d. This sum, together with the artificial food she 

 has received and the ration for the six winter months at Is. a 

 day, would bring up her total cost for a year to about 161. 5s. 

 This amount does not include straw for litter, but we are of 

 opinion that the use of straw for such a purpose should be 

 greatly reduced or entirely given up. Short hard earth standings 

 and deep gutters behind the heels of the cow, with a plentiful use 

 of dry earth or peat litter when it can be obtained direct from 



