436 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



certain grade Shropshire ewes gave from 2.51 to 3.96 

 pounds daily. Experiments at the same station conducted 

 similarly with sows of the lard types, found that they gave 

 from 4.1 to 5.8 pounds daily. The tests were made at in- 

 tervals during the nursing period. 



Under American conditions, it is more than probable 

 that the cow will continue to be the source from which the 

 greater portion of the milk needed will come. Mare's 

 milk is not likely to be used as food for man, if for no 

 other reason than the much greater ease with which cow's 

 milk can be drawn from the udder. The milk breeds of 

 sheep in certain areas of West Central Europe are credited 

 with giving in response to hand milking, fully 8 pounds 

 per day soon after coming into lactation. But, should even 

 greater yields be obtainable, as doubtless they could be 

 under judicious management, it may be said that, under 

 American conditions, ewe's milk is not likely to supplant 

 cow's milk for the reason, first, that cow's milk is more 

 readily obtained; second, it is more difficult to rear lambs 

 under artificial conditions than calves, and third, the sheep 

 is much liable to be preyed upon by dogs. It may be 

 different, however, with milking goats which have been 

 recently introduced into America. It is not improbable that, 

 in the future not distant, many artisans on the outskirts of 

 cities may yet each keep his goat to supply fresh milk 

 for the family. They are much less dainty of their food 

 than sheep, and are much less liable to be harmed. 



Protection for cows in summer. In summer cows re- 

 quire protection : ( i ) From the sun's rays when these are 

 so warm as to produce discomfort; (2) from flies during 

 the fly season and (3) from rain storms, cold, prolonged 

 and severe. Neglecting to furnish any one of these will 

 seriously lessen milk yields. While such protection is mark- 

 edly beneficial to all classes of domestic animals, its im- 

 portance is especially emphasized in the case of cows, be- 

 cause of the relatively high value of the milk product which 

 they furnish. 



