654 SUCCESSFUL FARMING 



and the body; the milk is drawn after each three pushes. When the 

 fore teats are emptied, the hind teats are milked in the same manner." 



Difficult Milking. — Occasionally cows are difficult to milk because 

 of defective teats. Sometimes the openings are too small, in which case 

 an instrument known as the bistoury may be used, but there is danger of 

 greatly injuring the teat, and it should be used only by those experienced 

 in its use. Only with especially good animals does it pay to spend much 

 time with such cows. Sore teats, caused sometimes by teats becoming 

 wet and exposed to the cold, can best be treated by rubbing them with 

 vaseline or some antiseptic grease. A cow that has developed the kicking 

 habit is a great annoyance. Sore teats and abuse, however, are often the 

 cause. Most cows, by gentle treatment and care of the teats, will cause 

 little trouble. Some, however, are naturally vicious, but these are few in 

 number. A strap tied around the body of the cow just in front of the 

 udder, and drawn fairly tight, will prevent most cows from kicking. A 

 clamp made of wood with two straps, long enough to reach around the 

 leg of the cow, will prevent her from bending her leg, making it impossible 

 for her to kick. 



Abuse. — A daily cow should always be handled gently, for any dis- 

 turbances affect her. Loud noises or any unusual disturbances should 

 be avoided. A cow should never be struck or mistreated, nor should 

 she be talked to in a loud voice. 



Water and Salt. — A cow requires considerable salt, and this should 

 be given regularly. One practice is to mix it with the grain, but the maxi- 

 mum requirements should not be given in this way, for a cow may be 

 required to eat more than she wants of it. A little in the grain is all right, 

 but a small amount should be given regularly, perhaps once a week, so 

 that she can get all she wants. A cow will eat about one-half pound of 

 salt a week. 



An abundance of good water should be provided for dairy animals. 

 A cow producing large quantities of milk will consume as much as one 

 hundred pounds, or more, per day. Heavy milkers should be watered 

 twice a day. The water should not be too cold, but at the same 

 time it is well not to have it too warm. A uniform temperature is 

 desirable. 



Stabling. — With most large dairy herds it is customary to have 

 regular stanchions in which the cows can all be tied up in rows. This 

 seems the best system where high-class milk is being produced. For the- 

 small herd, the practice of allowing the cows to run in an open shed is 

 being followed. This method of housing, however, makes it possible to 

 keep the cows in a more healthy condition and to produce milk more 

 economically. An experiment has been conducted by The Pennsylvania 

 State College of housing cattle in an open shed as compared with a closed 

 stable, and is summarized as follows: 



"1. From the data presented it appears that cows kept under an 



