ON MILCH COWS. 67 



be encouraged in proportion as that branch of husbandry should be en- 

 couraged in the County. Whether the improved short horns have, 

 or have not received, in this County, the premiums they were justly 

 entitled to, I do not here pretend to say ; but I do say, that I pre- 

 fer a good animal to a favorite pedigree. Those that would derive 

 a good profit from the cow, must give her good keeping, as a 

 large portion oi the nourishment she takes is necessary to supply the 

 natural waste of the body ; if she has no more than is necessary for 

 that supply, all you get in milk you loose in flesh, and lose the keep- 

 ing of your cows. How to keep a cow so as to derive the greatest 

 profit, is a matter of importance to those engaged in this occupation. 

 Much depends on the feed, and as much on the manner of feeding 

 and sheltering. The oftener you feed, the less waste of fodder and 

 the better the cow will thrive. In this, every one must be governed 

 by circumstances, taking into account the value of the time of the 

 feeder, the number of cows to be fed, &c. Any one accustomed to 

 milking in winter, has often noticed how greatly the quantity of 

 milk has diminished, in severe cold weather. This proves the im- 

 portance of warm barns ; and dry beds are also necessary. Abridge 

 her comforts and you diminish her milk, and no one will say that 

 she is as comfortable if she hes with her sides soaked in urine as she 

 would be if she had a dry bed. An intelligent farmer who keeps a 

 large stock of cattle, recently told me that he was in the habit of 

 spreading thatch upon his grass land, and for every ton of thatch 

 he got an additional ton of English hay. Straw, thatch, and dam- 

 aged salt hay are abundant in most parts of the County, and if used 

 for cattle to lie upon, and saturated with urine, their value for ma- 

 nure would be greatly increased. Who would not prefer coarse 

 fare and good lodging to a sumptuous supper and a cold wet bed ? 



If cows have animal feeling, judge of their wants by your own. 

 Kind treatment is of the first importance. Many good cows are 

 made worthless to their detulant managers, from abusive treatment. 

 The cow, from fear, or pain, on account of soreness of the udder or 

 teats, is often unquiet when milked, and being tied by the neck and 

 having no other means of defence, kicks, to rid herself of her un- 

 comfortable companion. This not unfrequently induces the intelli- 

 gent and reasoning milker to retaliate with harsh words and heavy 

 blows, reasoning, no doubt, (if reasoning at all,) that by so doing, 

 she may be persuaded that she is in no danger of harm, while under 



