INTRODUCTION. 



Every farmer is ordinarily supposed to keep several cows, and 

 there is no reason why most families in villages and very many 

 in cities should not possess at least one. Good milk affords 

 the best of nourishment for young children, and goes a long way 

 in saving butchers' bills, and in the preparation of palatable nour- 

 ishing food of many varieties. Two to five families, according to 

 age and number, can readily unite in having one cow kept, divid- 

 ing the milk and expenses, and thus always have good, pure, 

 rich milk at very moderate cost. The suitable refuse from the 

 kitchens of three or four families would very much reduce the 

 cost of purchased food. In rural villages, summer pasturage 

 can be obtained near at hand, which, with a daily feed of good 

 meal will furnish a large supply of rich milk at a low cost. A 

 boy can be secured at a small price to drive the cow to the pasture 

 in the morning, and return her at night to the stable. A stable or 

 stall can alwaj^s be obtained at a trifling rent, and be kept clean. 

 There are plenty of gardeners or farmers who will gladly take the 

 manure away so frequently as to prevent it being a nuisance, or 

 disagreeable. 



We have no doubt that all residents of villages, manufacturing 

 towns, etc., can, by arrangements like the above, secure an abund- 

 ant supply of pure, rich, fresh, healthful milk at less than three 

 cents per quart, and at the same time add greatly to their home 

 comforts, and preserve the health if not the lives of their little ones. 



In February, 1880, the publishers of this volume offered prizes 

 for three essays on keeping one cow, indicating at the same time 

 their scope. Some extracts from the explanatory remarks accom- 

 panying this offer may fitly outline an introduction to the work. 



The number of persons who possess but one cow is far larger 

 than those who have ten or more. No doubt many others, 

 living outside of closely built cities, would gladly lessen the 

 cost of supporting their families, and at the same time add to 

 their comforts, and even luxuries, by keeping a cow, did they 

 know how to keep one. There is a general notion that keeping a 

 cow requires a pasture. If a pasture is not necessary, they do not 

 know how to get along without one. Dairymen and farmers 

 learn how to treat herds as a part of general farm management, or 

 in books on the subject. There are books on cows, but none on 

 (VIT) 



