THE FEEDING OF DAIRY COWS. 23 



ance and return a good profit on the additional feed given. On the 

 other hand, there are cows that have a limited capacity for milk pro- 

 duction and are very liable to be overfed. By carefully studying 

 each individual cow the feeder will soon ascertain the point beyond 

 which any addition to the grain ration becomes unprofitable. 



WATER FOR COWS. 



All animals require plenty of good, pure water. This is especially 

 true of the milking cow, as water constitutes more than three- fourths 

 of the total volume of milk. The water supply, therefore, demands 

 the dairyman's most careful attention. Stale or impure water is 

 distasteful to the cow and she w r ill not drink enough for maximum 

 milk production. Such water may also carry disease germs which 

 might make the milk unsafe for human consumption or be dangerous 

 to the cow herself. During the winter, when cows are stabled the 

 greater part of the time, they should be watered two or three times 

 a day unless arrangements have been made to keep water before them 

 at all times. The water should, if possible, be 15 or 20 above the 

 freezing point, and should be supplied at practically the same tem- 

 perature every day. When water well above freezing temperature 

 is stored in tanks and piped directly to the cow, there is probably 

 little occasion for facilities to warm it. When it stands in a tank 

 on which ice often forms, it usually pays well to warm it slightly. 

 This can be done by a tank heater, by live steam, or by hot water 

 from a boiler. If a boiler is used for running a separator or for 

 heating water to wash and sterilize utensils, steam from it can readily 

 and cheaply be used to warm the water. 



SALT. 



Salt is required by all animals. The dairy cow requires an ounce 

 or more a day, and while she should be given all she needs, she should 

 not be forced to take more than she wants. It is best, therefore, to 

 give only a small quantity on the feed, and to place rock salt in 

 boxes in the yard \vhere she can lick it at will. 



WASHINGTON : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1916 



