80 KEEPING ONE cow. 



and much that would otherwise be wasted, and at the same time 

 increase greatly the value of the manure heap, I think such pro- 

 vision should be made, especially as the cost of such an addition 

 to the cow's shed is but little. In case it is not desirable to keep 

 a pig, the space may be used as a calf-pen or for the storage of 

 straw. The cost of the building which I have described should 

 not exceed fifty dollars. 



The only way to secure a good cow, is to keep trying until we 

 get such a cow as we want and then hold on to her. We may 

 have to change several times before we can bring this about, but 

 there is no infallible rule for selecting a good cow. Were I to 

 select one for myself, I should select one not over five years old, 

 of gentle, quiet disposition, with a large barrel ; one whose udder 

 is large and well formed, with teats set well apait, of good size, 

 and projecting slightly outward from each other, and with large 

 milk veins. 



The method which I have adopted in the management of my 

 cow, has this in its f-ivor, that it has been highly and uniformly 

 profitable to me. 



MANAGING THE MANURE PILE, 



I shall first present my mode of making manure, and of apply- 

 ing the same. The prevalent idea among those who keep 

 a single cow or other domestic animal is, that the manure, 

 instead of being saved and protected from loss with the greatest 

 care, is a nuisance, which should be summarily disposed of. It is 

 an established fact that the liquid portion of the excrement nearly, 

 if not quite, equals in value the solid portion, and in order to save 

 both we must provide some means by which the liquid and volatile 

 portions of the manure may be prevented from going to waste. 

 This is best accomplished by means of absorbents, and there is 

 nothing better or cheaper tor this purpose than dried muck or 

 earth, a good supply of which should be constantly kept under 

 cover where it is easily accessible. Fortunately I am so situated 

 that I can obtain a supply quite easily. There is within half a 

 mile from my place a large tract of swamp land, from which I can 

 obtain, for a low price, all the " muck" I need. Every fall, I store 

 away under my shed a sufficient quantity to last me through the 

 winter. This had previously been thrown into p les and dried. It 

 is quite essential that it should be thoroughly dried, so that it will 

 readily absorb the liquid manure, and this may be accomplished 

 by piling and allowing it to be exposed to sun and air for six 



