174 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



three feet and a half? Or will you give them the credit of 

 having your best interests at heart, and of only striving to 

 atone for your neglect by trying to keep themselves in tolerable 

 condition ? 



Time of Calving. — The committee also think it is very 

 important to know the time of calving, and when the cow will 

 come in again. It is a well known fact, that most cows fall off 

 in quantity of milk after being covered by the bull, and many 

 are rendered almost valueless by nearly drying up after genera- 

 tion takes place. 



A cow calving in February, for instance, and due to come in 

 the February following, is deserving more credit, for an equal 

 quantity of milk, with the same feed, than one that calved in 

 May and is not due to come in until the following May. 



Size op Cows. — The size of cows must also be considered. 

 The general opinion is, that the larger the animal the greater 

 the cost of keeping ; but there are many exceptions to this rule. 

 We have known small cows that consumed more food, did not 

 keep in so good condition, and gave less milk, than quite large 

 ones kept in the same stable upon the same kind of food. So 

 far as profit is concerned, the larger the cow, with a correspond- 

 ing increase in the milk product and cost of keeping, the better 

 property she is ; more valuable, in proportion, to sell for the 

 dairy or for beef. 



If two large cows will give as much milk as three small ones, 

 the care of them takes less time, they occupy less space in the 

 stable, and may at any time be more readily sold. We do not 

 wish to encourage the raising of a race of huge, overgrown 

 cows ; but we think animals of good size more desirable, as a 

 general rule, and we know that a good deal of attention is paid 

 to this quality by those who keep large dairies and who have 

 been successful in the business. 



Treatment op Milch Cows. — The man that abuses his cows, 

 or permits others to do it, most surely " scattereth abroad." 

 He does that which a long course of kind treatment will not 

 make good. 



The cow should have the most gentle and reasonable man- 

 agement at all times. Her course of life should be like the 

 quiet How of a smooth and placid river, the even tenor of its 



