228 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



from pain or fear. If not handled properly, it may grow into a 

 habit. Under no circumstances should a man strike a cow 

 that kicks. It does no good, and always makes them worse. 

 Gentle measures, however, will not work with all cows, and some 

 old cows that have been taught to kick by mismanagement 

 cannot be cured by the best of care. Such animals should al- 

 ways be tied during the milking. This is best done by taking 

 a rather heavy strap with a strong loop. The strap is put 

 around one leg above the hock, and the end drawn through the 

 loop. The strap is then put around the other leg and buckled, 

 so the two legs are held close together. The cow may struggle 

 a little at first, but soon learns to stand quietly as long as the 

 strap is in place. 



Self-Sucking Cows. This vice is not very common, but 

 annoying when begun, and difficult to stop. If an ordinary 

 cow contracts the habit, the best advice is to sell her at once. 

 The most effective method of treatment seems to be to put a 

 bull ring in the cow's nose and hang a second ring from the 

 first. This method was suggested by the Wisconsin Experi- 

 ment Station, and has been tried by the author with good 

 success. 



