156 PROFITABLE DAIRYING 



the first feeding, followed by a gradual increase 

 in the amount. In this way cows will not get 

 "off feed" so readily. Many dairymen are so 

 skillful that they can keep changing feeds from 

 time to time without the cows showing any ill 

 effects. This is due to their judicious method 

 of feeding. 



Kindness necessary. The real purpose of keep- 

 ing cows is to make a profit, and he is indeed 

 an unwise dairyman who will furnish his cows 

 with the best of feed and shelter and then spoil 

 it all by abusing them. If he is at all observing 

 he will note within a very short time that it 

 does not pay to abuse or ill-treat milk cows. 

 He must remember that the cow is a brute and 

 he is a man, and if she ill-behaves in any way 

 it is because she is following the laws of nature 

 and is trying to protect herself. A cow will 

 hold up her milk because she is disturbed in 

 some way; perhaps she is afraid of punishment. 

 Some milker may have clubbed her with a milk 

 stool or otherwise ill T treated her. Scolding or 

 loud and excited talking also makes her nervous. 

 It is needless to add that chasing cows with dogs 

 is not going to improve either the flow of milk 

 or its quality. The practice of petting cows is 

 to be commended, as they respond to kind and 

 gentle treatment in a way that is profitable for 

 the owner. 



