58 LUCERNE CULTURE. 



it is only then that a series of tests really and actually becomes of 

 any intrinsic value. Without such conditions prevailing, one runs 

 the serious risk of weeding or culling out cows by their perform- 

 ance at the pail or test, when in reality had the cows an opportunity 

 to assert their value as dairy cows they would often not only be> 

 retained in the herd, but would be kept and looked upon as the^ 

 prizes of the herd. 



VALUE OF GOOD FEEDING. 



Experience has shown there is the possibility, in fact the 

 probability (especially in heavy milkers), that when cows have- 

 once baen reduced to a poor, almost starving condition, the milk 

 glands become inactive and the blood exceedingly poor, and the 

 animal never, in so far as milk production is concerned, recovers- 

 herself ; that although to all outward appearances she may havj 

 recovered from th? ordeal, h:r milk yield will never return, t'i ; 

 milk glands having suffered to that extent that nature? cannot repair 

 the d image done. 



At every turn one see~> fresh proof the value of main "ai. 11112; 

 milk cows and bre?ding cattle in an even, thriving, healthy condi- 

 tion, and that it is only neces.-ary for them to have sets-back to 

 reduce tlro.n from the profit to the loss side by events that man. 

 cannot a.wjys control, such as occasional sickness, without our 

 aiding the process as at present by want of a'ton.i ;n, feeding and 

 shelter. 



When a cow is in full milk her nervous system is working at 

 high tension and requires help, shelter and food to prevent a break- 

 down ; with it she will continue to work as a machine converting 

 food into milk and meat t ) the profit of her owner and as an asset 

 to the country at large. 



Is it reasonable to expect that a cow at the commencement of 

 the winter season in a low and miserable condition, carrying a calf 

 which has also to be fed and nourished until it is dropped, will do- 

 well in early spring? Why, the winter is almost on her again, 

 before her system is sufficiently nourished to be able to give any 

 yield of milk at all. It is at the early spring, after the winter is. 

 over, that the cows are required to be in the pink of a milking, 

 condition to be ready when the grass shoots with her utmost yield 

 of milk. Cows farmed under these conditions are the ones that 

 will yield the profit. 



One too often hears a farmer say that he keeps his cows to 

 feed him and his family, and that they -must do the best they can 

 under the prevailing conditions, but if the cows he keeps enjoyed 

 only a tithe of the comfort that the owner enjoyed, how much better- 

 would that cow be able to support the farmer and his family. 



While on this point, a subject well worth mentioning is the 

 provision of shelter by clusters of trees in the centre of the camph- 

 or paddocks, to help the cattle to be better able to protect them- 



