370 



APPENDIX. HORSFALL'S SYSTEM. 



production of milk, without ascertaining its effect on 

 the condition of the cows. I have continued the prac- 

 tice once a month, almost without omission, up to this 

 date. The weighings take place early in the morning, 

 and before the cows are supplied with food. The 

 weights are registered, and the length of time (fifteen 

 months) during which I have observed this practice 

 enables me to speak with confidence of the results. 



The cows in full milk, yielding twelve to sixteen 

 quarts each per day, vary but little ; some losing, 

 others gaining, slightly ; the balance in the month's 

 weighing of this class being rather to gain. It is com- 

 mon for a cow to continue a yield from six to eight 

 months before she gives below twelve quarts per day, 

 at which time she has usually, if not invariably, gained 

 weight. 



The cows giving less than twelve quarts and down 

 to five quarts per day are found, when free from ail- 

 ment, to gain, without exception. This gain, with an 

 average yield of nearly eight quarts per day, is at the 

 rate of seven pounds to eight pounds per week each. 



My cows in calf I weigh only in the incipient stages ; 

 but they gain perceptibly in condition, and consequently 

 in value. They are milked till within four weeks to 

 five weeks previous to calving. I give the weights of 

 three of these, and also of one heifer, which calved in 

 March, 1855: 



No. I 



1854. 



1855. 



These observations extend over lengthened periods, 

 on the same animals, of from thirty to upwards of fifty 

 weeks. A cow, free from calf, and intended for fatten- 

 ing, continues to give milk from ten months to a year 

 after calving, and is then in a forward state of fatness 



