90 DAIRY FARMING 



the milk is drawn only once in two days until the secretion is 

 stopped. There is less danger of injuring a cow in drying 

 her up than is generally thought. The secretion of milk 

 near the end of the lactation period depends largely upon 

 the stimulation of the nerves in milking and therefore stops 

 readily if this stimulation be removed. If a cow is produc- 

 ing as little as 10 pounds per day, milking can be stopped at 

 any time with no possible injury. The udder will fill slightly 

 for the first few days, after which the secreted milk is ab- 

 sorbed and no injury follows. If this plan is followed, it is 

 best not to draw any milk after once stopping. If the ani- 

 mal is producing much more than 10 or 12 pounds per day, 

 her feed should at first be reduced for a few days and the 

 character of the ration changed to one low in protein, such 

 as timothy hay, with little or no grain. As soon as the pro- 

 duction of milk begins to drop decidedly it is safe to stop 

 abruptly. The author has followed this plan for a number 

 of years with high-producing cows without the slightest injury 

 in any case. 



77. Milking the Cow before Calving. It is the practice 

 of some to milk the heavy milkers several times before the 

 birth of the calf, thinking the udder may be injured. As a 

 rule this is not a good practice. It increases the danger of 

 trouble at the time of freshening and does not relieve the 

 congested condition of the udder to any great extent. It is 

 only advisable with the heaviest milkers when they are 

 suffering greatly from the distentiorr of the udder. 



78. Care of Cow after Calving. The vitality of the cow 

 is low after' calving and she should be treated carefully. 

 She should be protected from cold winds and severe weather. 

 Her drinking water is best warmed for a day or two if the 

 weather is cold. The ration for the first few days should be 



