156 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



She took the sweepstakes premium at Providence this year. 

 Her feed has been grass, with one quart of meal and shorts each 

 per day. 



Lexington, October 1, 18G7. 



WORCESTER WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



It is of the utmost importance to have cows milked quick and 

 clean, (that every dairyman knows,) for, unless they are, it will 

 soon ruin the best cow we have. Many a poor fellow has lost 

 his place in consequence of being a poor milker. The cow is 

 one of the best gifts of God to man. She is indispensable to 

 the support of the human family. She feeds millions witl^ a 

 large part of their food in various forms. Her products are 

 carried wherever civilized man goes. She supplies many of the 

 richest dainties for the epicure, as well as the principal living for 

 the poor man with his large family of little dependents. There- 

 fore she ought to have her place in the affections of man to cor- 

 respond with the benefits she confers on the human family. 

 The cow is no friend to the credit system ; she pays her bills 

 every night and morning. The better treatment and keeping 

 she receives the larger return she makes. Therefore it is econ- 

 omy to give Ijer the best of care both in summer and winter ; 

 not leave her out, as many do, exposed to the severe changes we 

 have in the weather, half starved or kept on food hardly fit to 

 bed a horse with through the winter ; then, when she calves, 

 complain because she does not give more milk, when in reality 

 it is strange she gives any, considering her miserable keeping. 

 Very many farmers have been in the habit of killing their calves 

 for veal, it has brought such high prices for a few years past ; 

 therefore few calves have been raised ; and when they were 

 obliged to replenish their stock of cows, were obliged to buy 

 such as they found for sale in market. 



I believe it is much the best way for every farmer to raise his 

 own cows. By so doing, with judicious management, ho can 

 always have a good milking stock. Raise from the very best 

 cows in your lot, and keep them in a good, healthy, growing 

 condition until they arrive at maturity. Many think a young 

 calf can live on little or nothing, and give it food just sufficient 

 to sustain life. The consequence is, they always have a miser- 



