98 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



Tkaining of Cows. 



One of the chief rules to be observed in training cows is the 

 rule or law of kindness. Do unto cows as you would have 

 cows do unto you is a rule which ought to be prominently dis- 

 played in every cow stable. Study cows individually as well 

 as collectively. Keep a record of food cost and milk produc- 

 tion of each cow in the herd. The use of a scale or spring 

 balance, together with a Babcock test for fat, is highly recom- 

 mended to every dairyman. Where individual owners cannot 

 for any reason do the testing, join a cow-testing association, if 

 there is one in the locality. If there is none, form one. Your 

 State officers will help you. 



Under this heading we would include also the feeding of 

 cows. I think I need not go into details on this point. A few 

 simple rules will giiide us. Nature's food for milk production 

 is grass. In the compounding or making of a ration for cows 

 follow nature as closely as possible and we shall not go far 

 astray. Make the winter feed succulent by using corn silage 

 and roots along with coarse, dry fodder and meal or concen- 

 trates. Give a cow all she will eat of the cheap, bulky food, 

 but feed the meal according to the milk flow, if the cow is in 

 good condition, unless there be some special reason for feed- 

 ing an extra amount of meal. About 8 pounds of meal daily 

 is about all that the average cow can profitably consume. How- 

 ever, the feeder must use his judgment, make a few experi- 

 ments and note results. 



A wise dairyman prepares for summer droughts by having 

 some corn silage left over at the beginning of spring; or he 

 may grow soiling crops, or an annual pasture crop. In On- 

 tario, Can., the best soiling crops are peas and oats, clover and 

 corn. A good pasture crop to supplement grass is got by 

 sowing oats, 51 pounds, early amber sugar cane, 30 pounds, 

 and red clover, 7 pounds per acre. The crop is ready for pas- 

 ture in about six weeks after sowing, in northern latitudes. 



As a rule, we think it pays to cut coarse feed and grind all 

 grains before feeding them to cows. Feed regularly and with 

 good judgment. Mangers or feeding places must be kept clean 



