Food and treatment: To keep the production of milk dur- 

 ing the whole period of lactation in a satisfactory state, good 

 housing and treatment, and food answering the circumstances, as 

 regards quantity, volume, preparation and chemical composition, 

 are requisite. 



It may be regarded as a fact, that the quantities of milk and 

 butter are increased with the amount of nitrogenous material in 

 the food. Uniformity of treatment and food are to be recom- 

 mended, and sudden changes in this regard be avoided, since ex- 

 perience has proved that they are invariably followed by disadvan- 

 tageous influences upon the secretion of milk. The production of 

 milk is greatly fostered by healthy water of an even temperature, 

 neither too high nor too low, charitable treatment of the cattle, and 

 punctuality in attending to their wants. 



Seasons : The yield of milk differs with the changes of weather 

 and food in the several seasons. Most, but often also thinnest, 

 milk is produced during the spring, on account of the food which 

 then consists mainly of young luxurious herbs. The moi*e nourish- 

 ing after-growths on the meadows and fields during summer and 

 fall, as also the dry food during winter, are tlie cause of a smaller 

 yield of milk which, however, is richer. 



Influence of temperature: The yield of milk of the cows 

 differs with the geographical latitude. From this alone we may 

 assume that the temperature exerts a decided influence. An aver- 

 age annual temperature of 15° C. is considered to be the most ad- 

 vantageous. Too high temperatures (in the stable) debilitate and 

 predispose the cows to colds, influence disadvantageously the yield 

 of milk, and sometimes even its quality. 



Influence of weather : Rain, humidity of air and winds doubt- 

 less exert an influence on the general well-being and the various 

 physiological processes. Exact investigations as regards the in- 

 fluence of these meteorological phenomena on yield and quality of 

 milk, have not yet been made. 



Exercise : Moderate exercise in the open air and on the pas- 

 ture is advisable. Hard work and long journeys diminish yield 

 and quality of milk. Milk of such cows is apt to curdle on 

 boiling. 



The constitution of the animal is reproduced in the milk it 

 yields. The milk of stronger animals is, therefore, on the average. 



