DAIRY-MAIDS. WARM BARN. 149 



development of the udder and milk-veins. A frequent 

 milking stimulates an increased secretion, therefore, and 

 ought never to be neglected in the milk-dairy, either 

 in the case of young cows or very large milkers, at the 

 height of the flow, which will ordinarily be for two or 

 three months after calving. 



The charge of this branch of the dairy should gen- 

 erally be intrusted to women. They are more gentle 

 and winning than men. The same person should milk 

 the same cow regularly, and not change from one to 

 another, unless there are special reasons for it. 



There being a wide difference in the quality as well 

 as in the quantity of milk of different cows, no dairy- 

 man should neglect to test the milk of each new addi- 

 tion to his dairy stock, whether it be an animal of his 

 own raising or one brought from abroad. A lactometer 

 is a very convenient instrument here ; but any one can 

 set the milk of each cow separately at first, and give it 

 a fair and full trial, when the difference will be found 

 to be great. Economy will dictate that the cows 

 least adapted to the purpose should be disposed of, and 

 their place supplied by better ones. 



THE BARN. The management of dairy stock requires 

 a warm and well-ventilated barn or cow-room, in latitudes 

 where it becomes necessary to stall-feed during several 

 months of the year. This should be arranged in a 

 manner suitable to keeping hay and other fodder dry 

 and sweet, and with reference to the comfort and health 

 of animals, and the economy of labor and manure. The 

 size and finish will, of course, depend on the wants and 

 means of the farmer or dairyman ; but many little con- 

 veniences can be added at trifling cost. 



The cow-room, Fig. 56, is given as an illustration 

 merely of a convenient arrangement for a medium-sized 

 dairy, and not as adapted to all circumstances or situ- 



