61 



is too soon yet, however, to permit of making a definite pronounce- 

 ment on this rather vexed question. 



CARING FOR AND HANDLING THE COW IN MILK. 



The quantity and quality of the milk produced depends in large 

 measure upon the methods of caring for and handling the cow in 

 milk. Comfort and quiet in her siuirroundings, kindness and clean- 

 liness in handling are the certain conditions of success and profit 

 in the cow business. 



LITTER. 



Comfort means good stalls well bedded. Almost any dry absor- 

 bent material wiJ answer for bedding, clean, dry sawdust and straw 

 being among the best. The supply of these should be renewed with 

 more or less fresh material every day so that the dust which is likely 

 to gather in old bedding may be kept down. 



BRUSHING. 



When at pasture, the hair of the stock is kept clean by wind 

 and rain, and very little grooming or brushing is necessary. Some 

 time before milking, however, they should be rubbed down so that 

 the diuet and loose hairs may be removed and will not fall into the 

 milk pail. In winter, when the cows are confined to the stable, the 

 waste thrown off by the skin must be removed in order that the skin 

 secretions be not interfered with. This is best done by currying and 

 brushing, which, in winter, should be a daily operation. 



WASHING CATTLE. 



Washing cattle is a custom not generally followed except in the 

 case of cattle being prepared for the show-ring. Where the cattle 

 are properly groomed curried and brushed washing is perhaps 

 unnecessary, and is too great an undertaking to be practicable. 

 Sometimes, however, a cow coming in from a muddy road or field 

 may be so dirty that washing seems the only way of getting her 

 clean. 



CLIPPING. 



As an aid to cleanliness, clipping either the whole body of the cow, 

 or at least the hind flanks, the udder and the inner and outer thighs, 

 will be found advisable. The actual operation of clipping takes but 

 little time and the saving in time needed to keep the cattle clean 

 will pay for it in a week, to say nothing of the almost certainly 

 better quality of the milk produced. 



