AGRICULTURE. 



The Dairy. 



In the conduct of a dairy, which, in all 

 but the most productive corn countries, 

 is an object of particular consequence to 

 the farmer, it is obviously of the first im- 

 portance to select cows of the best sort, 

 and in judging of the value of this ani- 

 mal, the best method of deciding it is by 

 the quantity of cream produced in a given 

 time, rather than of milk. The richest 

 milk known is produced by cows of the 

 Alderney breed; but, in all countries, 

 cows yielding a very superior quantity of 

 milk to the generality are to be found, 

 and should be sought for by those per- 

 sons to whom their produce is a particular 

 object of attention; and the breed of such 

 should be particularly cultivated. Rough 

 waste lands, when the soil is wet, will do 

 better for cows than sheep, and should 

 be always appropriated to them, not in- 

 deed because they are the best for cows, 

 but because no stock will so well pay up- 

 on them. 



The grand object of keeping cows be- 

 ing the production of abundance and ex- 

 cellence of milk, they must, for this pur- 

 pose, be supplied with food of the same 

 description. About a month before they 

 calve they should be taken from the straw- 

 yard, and have green food given them 

 twice a day* with the roots, whatever they 

 may happen to be, which have been rais- 

 ed for their w inter food. Having calved, 

 they should be kept perfectly separate 

 from the Jean stock, whether in the house 

 or in another yard, and their food should 

 be continued as before. Winter feeding 

 cows with hay, even though none be given 

 them before they calve, breaks in greatly 

 upon the profits of the dairy. Cabbages 

 will maintain them in the cheapest man- 

 ner, and not give any unpleasant flavour 

 to the milk and butter. The heart alone 

 of the cabbage, however, should be given 

 to them, and the refuse leaves be left to 

 be picked up by the lean cattle. In the 

 month of May they should be kept in par- 

 ticular good feed, for which purpose they 

 should be turned into the fields of clo- 

 ver, which had been early eaten off by 

 sheep. Lucerne is, however, perhaps 

 preferable to clover, as it is equally nour- 

 ishing, and gives no ill flavour. When 

 mown, and given in racks or cribs, it will 

 go farther than in any other way, and 

 yield an increased quantity of the most va- 

 luable manure, a circumstance which has 

 been often insisted upon, and cannot be 

 too frequently suggested. The feeding 

 lace should be kept extremely well lit- 



tered. The profit of cows, in these cir- 

 cumstances, will be greater than turning 

 them into luxuriant fields of these artifi- 

 cial grasses, although the quantity of 

 their produce might, by the latter me 

 thod, probably be increased ; but by 

 trampling upon and spoiling considerably 

 more than they would eat, the little su- 

 perior milk in richness or quantity, which 

 might be produced, would be purchased 

 at a most heavy expense, and one acre so 

 managed would be requisite for every 

 cow, while, by soiling, it would be amply 

 sufficient for three. The clear profit in 

 the comparison of any two modes of 

 management is the grand point of the far- 

 mer's consideration, and whatever the 

 farmer finds most profitable will, eventu- 

 ally, it must be remembered, most benefit 

 the public. Whatever green meat be 

 thus used in soiling, should be fresh mown 

 every two days, the quantity being, as 

 nearly as may be, adapted to the number 

 so fed, not only of cows, but of other 

 stock. Lucerne, if well managed, will 

 bear four mowings for this purpose. 



Cows should be milked three times a 

 day, if fully fed, throughout the sum- 

 mer; and great caution should be ex- 

 ercised by the persons employed to 

 draw the milk from them completely, 

 not only to increase the quantity of pro- 

 duce, but to preserve its quality. Any 

 portion which may be left in the udder 

 seems gradually to be absorbed into the 

 system, and no more is formed than, 

 enough to supply the loss of what is taken 

 away ; and by the continuance of the same 

 mode, a yet farther diminution of the se- 

 cretion takes place, until at length scarce- 

 ly any is produced. This mode of milk- 

 ing is always practised, when it is intend- 

 ed that a cow should be rendered dry. 



The apartments appropriated to dairy 

 purposes should, if possible, possess a 

 moderate temperature throughout the 

 year, and should be kept perfectly clean 

 and dry. The temperature of about fifty- 

 five degrees is most favourable for the se- 

 paration of the cream from tUe milk. The 

 utensils of the dairy are best made of 

 wood ; lead and copper are soluble in 

 acid, and highly pernicious; and though 

 iron is not injurious, the taste of it might 

 render the produce of the dairy unpala- 

 table. 



Objects of attention, with a view to the settle- 

 ment and success of a young Agriculturist. 



It is an object of extreme importance 

 and difficulty to awaken, due attention, 



