KEEPING ONE COW. 99 



PERMANENT GRASS AS SOILING CROP. 



BY P. S. NORRIS, ANGELICA, N. Y. 



The keeping of one cow seems to be generally regarded as a 

 matter of so little importance, and one so simple in its nature, 

 ,that even persons of low intelligence can scarcely fail of success. 

 But to keep a cow in such a manner as to receive the greatest re- 

 turn for the least possible expense in labor and money, requires 

 the most careful study of the nature and habits, endurance, needs, 

 and the productive capabilities of the animal, and involves 

 scientific principles which are deeper and broader than those 

 generally applied to the keeping of stock of any kind. 



If the average quantity of milk be ten quarts per day during 

 the year, and the expense twenty cents per day, the milk will cost 

 two cents per quart, and if the milk is worth three cents per 

 quart, there is a net profit of fifty per cent upon the cost of keep- 

 ing, or ten cents per day. But if the quantity of milk be eight 

 quarts per day, and the expense twelve cents, the milk will cost 

 only one and a half cents per quart, or twelve cents per day. Then 

 three cents per quart for the milk will leave an actual profit of 

 one hundred per cent upon the cost of keeping, or twelve cents 

 per day. 



One acre, and even something less, put in good condition, well 

 fertilized and properly seeded, will be ample for a pasture, and 

 will furnish plenty of nutritious feed, upon which, with proper 

 care, the cow will yield an abundant flow of rich and delicious 

 milk; while one-third of an acre of similar soil will produce suffi- 

 cient hay for the whiter. The pasture should be divided into two 

 parts, the cow to be kept a few days in each alternately, with 

 plenty of pure water and shade. Where land is high, as it always 

 is in towns and villages of any size, the practice of "soiling," as it is 

 usually termed, is the most profitable way to keep a cow. For this 

 purpose, a small yard, soin3 twenty to thirty feet square, perhaps, 

 or of such size as can be afforded, may be provided, containing 

 an open shed the more open the better for the summer only so 

 that it will shelter the animal from the heat of the sun and the 

 storms. The yard and shed should be kept as clean and dry as 

 possible, or the cow will become ill. Plenty of pure water is in- 

 dispensable at all times. A comfortable place for the cow to lie 

 down is very important. Sawdust, forest leaves, old straw, or other 

 convenient and cheap litter will answer for bedding ; or, if the 

 ground be smooth, clean and dry, that may be sufficient. The 



