MILCH COWS. 333 



butter ; the second week, used fifty-six quarts of milk, six quarts 

 of cream and made six and a half pounds of butter. We measur- 

 ed the milk but once this month, (September,) she gave fifteen 

 quarts per day. Feed three to five quarts of shorts per day, 

 and what grass she wanted. 



The committee, before closing their report, will venture 

 some suggestions upon the general management of milch cows. 



The principal and most important points are these : The se- 

 lection of stock ; their general care and treatment ; a judicious 

 and well regulated method of feeding. 



In relation to the first of these, but little need be said by the 

 committee, the selection being a matter depending mainly upon 

 the taste and judgment of those interested ; and of which there 

 is almost as great a dilference as there are owners. But when 

 it is considered that the cost of keeping a good cow is but very 

 little, if any, more than that of a poor or ordinary one, it will 

 be conceded that this is a matter of great importance to the 

 farmer. But with ever so good a selection, the result, so far 

 as profit is concerned, will be any thing but desirable, unless 

 a faithful and methodical plan, in regard to care and keeping, 

 is most strictly adhered to. For it is believed that a stock of 

 cows, however good, may, by only a common or ordinary mode 

 of feeding and treatment, be reduced in their product so as to 

 make but poor returns for what is expended upon them ; while, 

 on the other hand, a common or ordinary stock only, with judi- 

 cious care and feeding, may be made to increase largely in 

 their yield and pay a remunerating profit to the farmer. 



It is difiicult to attach too much importance to the second 

 point proposed, viz. : that of care and treatment. It is be- 

 lieved to be no uncommon thing among our farmers, in the busy 

 season of the year, in particular, to postpone the " milking 

 time," till almost night, so that the men having this duty in 

 charge, may be enabled to do their day's work in the field, and 

 then, as a matter of course, milk the cows. Now all hands 

 must take part in this, so as to despatch, as readily as possible, 

 this closing job of the day. And who doubts that this, done 

 after a hard day's work in the heat of the summer, with exhaust- 

 ed body, coupled with the certainty of a late supper ; with the 



