WHEN TO HAVE COWS COME FRESH 89 



the better. They are feeding their cows for sum- 

 mer work. A cow that is not well wintered will not 

 do justice to herself or her owner even in the sum- 

 mer. January feed and care has much to do with 

 July butter. It is well not to have heifers come 

 fresh before twenty-four months old, but as soon 

 after that, if they be of average health and growth, 

 as possible. Close observation for twenty years has 

 satisfied me that the heifer coming fresh at two 

 years is likely to make a better cow than the one 

 remaining dry until three years old. Milk produc- 

 tion by a heifer still growing tends to develop milk- 

 producing qualities. During every moment of her 

 growth she is fixing her future capacity as a milk 

 and butter producer. If her energy be directed only 

 toward the growth of tissue and fat she will not be 

 as good a cow as if this had not occurred. The 

 heifer must have care and be kept growing. The best 

 cows I have ever developed were those that came 

 fresh for the first time between twenty-two and 

 twenty-eight months of age. 



