218 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



silage at this season is also to be recommended to supplement 

 the pastures. 



Sheltering. The housing of the dairy cow naturally de- 

 pends upon the climatic conditions. She should not be ex- 

 posed to severe weather, while cold rains and snowstorms are 

 especially to be avoided. The most favorable temperature 

 has not as yet been determined experimentally, but observa- 

 tion indicates that a barn temperature of between 40 and 

 50 F. is as favorable as any. During the winter season 

 the cow should remain in the barn, except for a few hours in the 

 middle of the day when the weather is mild. On stormy 

 days or during periods of excessively cold weather she will do 

 better if kept inside constantly. It is well to provide an 

 arrangement to supply water to the animals in the barn in cold 

 climates. 



An abundance of fresh air is as necessary for the health 

 of the cow as of any other animal, and should be provided 

 without fail. However, it should be supplied by proper ven- 

 tilation, and not through the walls of poorly constructed barns. 

 Excessively warm weather is far more injurious to the dairy 

 cow than cold, and there is no practical means of making the 

 animal comfortable under such conditions. For this reason 

 hot weather and warm climates are not conducive to a high 

 production of milk. This is especially the case where high 

 temperature is combined with a high humidity of the atmos- 

 phere. 



MILKING 



Milking the Heifer. If the heifer is properly handled 

 before she has her first calf, there is little difficulty in teaching 

 her to be milked. If the heifer has been tied while being fed 

 as a calf, there will be no further trouble about tying her at 



