470 THE dairyman's MAKtJAL. 



COW for an attempt to kick, but, instead, to soothe her 

 and so remove the fear of danger which has given occa- 

 sion for the kicking. All this may be done by gently 

 patting and stroking the cow, speaking to her when 

 approaching her, and familiarizing her to the handling. 

 Arter this milk her in a small pail, which can be held so 

 that it cannot be npset, and with the left arm pressing 

 upon the cow's leg so that a kick can be warded off as 

 much as possible. While milking, the cow is spoken to 

 to attract her attention, and every movement about her 

 should be slow and deliberate, so as to avoid anything to 

 cause her to suspect that a blow might follow the move- 

 ment. When the milking is safely over the cow is 

 petted and spoken to, and a handful of meal or oats may 

 be given to her. If a kick is made or threatened, the 

 cow is never to be beaten for it, but spoken to kindly. 

 No other person than the milker should approach the 

 cow during the milking. Having entirely cured some 

 cows by this treatment that had been in the habit of kick- 

 ing badly, wholly dispensing with sticks and ropes, which 

 only irritate the cow, we have confidence that there are 

 few cows that have been so utterly spoiled that they may 

 not yet be made quite gentle by it. 



Some cows kick because their sight is defective and 

 they cannot distinguish the person approaching them. 

 The author has had one such cow that was perfectly gentle 

 and kind and free from all vice whatever, that would yet 

 lash cut the foot when approached from behind without 

 being spoken to, and especially when the udder was 

 touched on the wrong side suddenly and without notice. 

 Nevertheless, when spoken to she would turn her head 

 and lick the hand stretched out to her. This cow's 

 sight was not good, and the defect was shown in other 

 ways. Such cows should be approached and handled 

 always with gentleness, or they may be very easily startled, 

 when it is instinctive with them to kick. 



