22 KEEPING ONE COW. 



perienced no difficulty, or trouble ; should any occur, it is better 

 to apply to an experienced person, than to try and " doctor " her 

 yourself. After the calf is born, I feed the cow on warm slops a 

 day or two, permitting the calf to suck until the swelling has gone 

 from her bag, and it has assumed its natural condition. Then, as 

 before stated, teach it to drink, which can easily be done by in- 

 serting the finger in its mouth, and putting its head in the dish, 

 cautiously withdrawing the finger a few times, and in a short time 

 you will have no difficulty, as it will help itself. 



In conclusion, I can say I have tried to state just how our cow 

 is managed and kept. I presume there can be improvements 

 made on our system. I shall be glad to take advantage of the 

 experience of others, at any and all times. No record is kept of 

 the milk obtained, or of the butter made. "We know we always 

 have plenty for the family's use, and considerable to spare. 

 Bread and milk furnish the children half their food a portion of 

 the time. Pure milk and plenty of fresh fruits, in abundance, we 

 consider afford one of the principal reasons why our family is so 

 healthy, and we have so few doctor's bills to pay. 



From our acre and a half, all the food has been grown for both 

 cow and horse, except the three dollars expended for straw. The 

 " sugar meal" given the cow has not cost five dollars during the 

 past year. It is safe to say, that one half, and probably more, of 

 the clover, corn fodder, green rye, etc, has been fed to the 

 horse. Consequently the keeping of the cow can all be credited 

 to the small area of about three-fourths of an acre of land, 

 in addition to an outlay of not exceedirfg seven dollars for 

 meal, bran, and straw. This land, about one half of it, has 

 also produced, in addition, full crops for the use of the family, or 

 market, while the sour milk and buttermilk have largely assisted 

 in making six hundred pounds of pork. The calf, at less than 

 two months of age, was sold for eight dollars, which more than 

 paid for the extra feed bought for the cow. The family which has 

 never kept a cow can hardly realize the satisfaction and benefits 

 derived from such a source. Children, whose appetites are often 

 capricious, will almost always relish a cup of cool milk. Cream, 

 for our coffee at breakfast, is much enjoyed by all, but realized by 

 few, and what can be more delicious than a nice dish of straw- 

 berries smothered in rich yellow cream. "When we consider the 

 small expense, the little trouble and care, contrasted with the 

 great benefits derived, it is, so to speak, surprising that any family 

 should rest satisfied without possessing a cow. 



