MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 217 



1903 and 1904. The first year sixteen and the second year 

 twenty-one cows were used. The fly season was divided into 

 periods of two weeks, and the entire herd sprayed each morning 

 on alternate periods. When the fly repellent was applied 

 each morning, the cows were fairly well protected during the 

 day. The only advantage found was that the cows were less 

 restless during milking. No effect could be detected upon 

 the yield either of the milk or of the fat. 



The plan has been recommended by some of housing the 

 cows during the day in a darkened barn to avoid annoyance 

 from flies, letting them out at night to graze. The objection 

 to this is the difficulty of keeping the stable dark and at the 

 same time cool and comfortable. Again, the extra expense of 

 labor in cleaning the stable and supplying bedding makes it 

 impracticable in most cases. 



The main cause for the marked falling off in milk during 

 the summer is to be attributed to the failure on the part of 

 the cows to eat a sufficient amount of food. The excessive 

 heat in a warm climate has more to do with this than the flies, 

 although the latter may contribute somewhat to the general 

 effect. 



The pastures are often short also at this time, making it 

 more difficult for the animals to gather sufficient feed for the 

 heaviest production. It will be observed that during hot 

 weather the cows will graze but little during the day, and 

 come to the barn at night evidently hungry. While the in- 

 fluence of these conditions cannot be entirely removed, they 

 may be improved. The first thing is to make certain the cows 

 do not lack for food. They should be in the pasture during 

 the night if possible, and at least during the coolest part of the 

 day, during early morning and late evening. The feeding of 



