412 FARMING FOR LADIES, [chap. xxi. 



as in the sucking of the calf — to cause the 

 cow to yield her milk. 



The operation of milking is generally per- 

 formed twice a day ; at the earliest hours of 

 the morning, and in the evening about ten 

 or twelve hours afterwards. If, however, the 

 cow be put into very rich pasture, and, having 

 recently calved, should have a superabundant 

 flow of milk, it may be advisable to milk 

 her thrice a day, so long as that flow lasts ; 

 dividing the time as equally as the light 

 will admit. If carried on in the field, the 

 cow should be driven, as quietly as possible, 

 rather near to the dairy ; for the carrying 

 of the milk any great length of way occa- 

 sions it to ferment, and proves injurious to its 

 quality. 



In Holland, the pails into which the cows 

 are milked are almost always of brass, as be- 

 ing easier cleaned than those of wood, which, 

 if not repeatedly rinsed, scalded in boiling wa- 

 ter, and then placed in the open air to sweeten, 

 will infallibly impart a sourness to the milk, 

 which will spoil the butter. The pails gene- 

 rally used in this country are mostly made of 

 maple, but they should be strongly coated 



