THE FEEDING OF MILCH CATTLE 315 



turn a capstan for four hours in the morning and 

 again for the same time in the afternoon, the milk 

 decreased in quantity by 4-5 kg. as a result of the 

 exertion. The milk constituents also suffered, 

 for there were 601 g. less dry matter given, 173 g. 

 less protein, 184 g. less fat, 251 g. less milk-sugar, 

 and 30 g. less ash or mineral matter. Where the 

 same cow did lighter work of the same kind — less 

 than two hours — the effect was the opposite, for 

 the yield of milk was favourably influenced, there 

 being the following increases in the constituents : 

 128 g. dry matter, 29 g. protein, 44 g. fat, 16-2 g. 

 milk-sugar, and 8 g. ash, whilst the quantity of the 

 milk was greater by 40 g. Moderate exercise in 

 the open, with the avoidance of unfavourable in- 

 fluences of weather, is, as has often been shown, of 

 considerable benefit to the secretion of milk, and 

 therefore ought not to be neglected. A daily stay 

 of two hours in the fresh air has a very beneficial 

 effect on the health of the cows. The feeling of 

 comfort and well-being has a greater influence upon 

 the production of milk than in almost any other 

 direction. 



A moderate amount of work on a suitable diet 

 does not, therefore, need to entail any diminution 

 of production. It is true that the quantity of milk 

 may be reduced, but it is then of better quality, 

 so that generally as much dry matter and fat are 

 obtained as when the animal is at rest in the stall. 



