246 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



If Milch-cows be pastured in Summer, they should have 

 the best or first feeding of each pasture-lot. 

 See PASTURE 



See also t GRASSES, as it respects those which are best for 

 pastures. 



They should have plenty of water, and that which is good. 

 It is also good for them to have plenty of shade, to which 

 they can retire during the heat of the day. They should be 

 kept quietly, not suffered to be worried with dogs, or by 

 having stones or clubs thrown at them, as is but too com- 

 mon ; nor should they be forced to travel too far, by having 

 their pastures at too great a distance ; lor these are all 

 matters which are essential, in order to their giving the 

 greatest possible quantity of milk. 



In regard to milking, and the proper treatment of the 

 nailk, see DAIRY, CREAM, CHURN, BUTTER, CHEESE, Sec. 



When Cows are kept very fat, they will not give so much 

 milk. The proper state to keep them in, during Winter 

 and Summer, is that inwhich they are usually found, when 

 fed in good pastures during the latter season. On the con- 

 trary, where they are suffered to grow poor during Winter, 

 and particularly about the time of calving, their milk will 

 be greatly lessened in quantity during the following season* 

 If they are plentifully supplied vvilh food, as nutricious as 

 that of green grass, they will usually give plenty of milk 

 until very near the time of calving. 



Some Cows are naturally barren, and this is said to be 

 always the case where a male and female Calf are brought 

 forth together; the male in such cases is perfect, but the 

 female is incapable of propagating. 



Particular attention should be paid to Cows, in regard to 

 their keeping, for some weeks before calving. They should 

 have plenty of good hay, and other succulent food, such as 

 roots of the kinds before mentioned, or cabbages with the 

 decayed leaves taken off j or, it in the growing season, they 

 should have plenty of good sweet pasture or other good 

 green food. The day and night after a Cow has calved, 

 she should be kept housed, and her drink should be luke- 

 warm when given to her. Let her be kept up for three or 

 four nights thereafter, so as not to be exposed prematurely 

 to the cold or dampness of the atmosphere ; for this tends 

 greatly to weaken her. 



If she does not clean well after calving, Mr. Deane directs 

 to give her a pail of warm water, with some wood-ashes io 

 it, Particular attention should be paid to this; for, if the 

 after-birth be suffered to remain in the uterus^ it will be- 

 come putrescent, and the smell will sometimes communi- 

 cate an Infection Among other breeding Cows. They .will 



