CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY HERD. 



BY J. C. McNuTT. 



The increasing demand for high class dairy products in North 

 Carolina is a clear indication that more farmers in the State might 

 profitably devote time and money to developing good dairy herds. Up 

 to the present time the number of dairy cows has been so small and the 

 average production so low that it has been necessary to bring large 

 quantities of dairy products into the State every year. There is abso- 

 lutely no reason why sufficient milk and butter could not be produced 

 within the State to supply the demand, and if the people could be 

 brought to realize the profits in the industry a material improvement 

 would certainly be brought about. 



The fact that the climate of North Carolina is so mild that cattle 

 do not have to be stabled only a short period during the year is a de- 

 cided advantage. Another and very important consideration is, that 

 cottonseed meal, one of the richest dairy feeds, is produced here and 

 can be purchased by the dairymen of North Carolina much cheaper 

 than by the dairymen in the States farther north. Furthermore, legu- 

 minous crops grow remarkably well here and there is more corn being 

 grown every year, which speaks well for the dairy possibilities. A 

 growing interest in dairying is shown by the large number of new silos 

 constructed during the past few years. 



To improve and develop the dairying of the State in a substantial 

 way, those interested must go about it in a careful, systematic manner, 

 using good sound business methods and keeping careful records of all 

 details. It is the purpose of this bulletin to make suggestions and to 

 demonstrate, if possible, whereby the dairyman can feed and manage 

 his dairy herd in a profitable manner. 



Selecting a Good Dairy Cow. 



To select good high milk producing dairy cows requires experience 

 and a careful study of cows. The best judges make mistakes at times, 

 but there are certain well defined rules which, if carefully followed, 

 will prove satisfactory in the majprity of cases. First of all, it must 

 be considered what constitutes a good dairy cow. The dairy cow is an 

 animal that has been developed to produce milk and butter economically. 

 The most economical producers as a rule show a characteristic dairy 

 type known as the triple wedge form. All of the breeds of dairy cattle 

 conform to this type in a general way, although they may be radically 

 different in breed characteristics. Typical dairy animals are angular 

 and muscular, rather than smooth and evenly fleshed. Experience 

 teaches that the lean, clean cut cows showing quality in thin mellow 

 hide, fine hair, and bone, are the most economical producers as a rule, 

 provided they have a good feed capacity, strong constitution, and a 

 well developed udder. These essentials are too often ignored in the 



