Producing Large Yield. 269 



We believe bulk of yield can, however, be maintained 

 in these cows, and developed orTincreased in others most 

 effectually by a continued supply of moist or succulent 

 feed, because this is consistent with the causes that have 

 led to the large yield in the cows of Holland and Hol- 

 stein. 



The same is also true, to a considerable extent, of Ayr- 

 shire cows, the county of Ayr being low, and having a 

 humid atmosphere, thus supplying similar influences, lead- 

 ing to large yield in this neat dairy breed. 



We believe that in good grass latitudes, the grass of low 

 moist soils will be generally found to produce the largest 

 yield in cows of any breed ; the quality of yield being a 

 different question from that of its bulk or quantity. 



From what we have seen in many instances, in deveL 

 oping large yield, the use of thick slops tends strongly in 

 that direction. The several stomachs of the cow afford 

 large space for bulk and digestive action ; and this shows 

 that bulk is required in their feed ; and in the best old 

 dairy districts, the feed and air have a large share of 

 moisture in their composition. Hence the view that bulk 

 may best be increased by increasing the proportion of 

 moisture in the food of cows, from which bulk or quantity 

 of yield is derived. 



The moist consistency of the solid droppings of cows, 



compared with those of horses, swine, and sheep, seems to 



.agree with this view; certainly it shows that in cows the 



contents of the bowels are much diluted with moisture. 



How best to accomplish this object, with a view to in- 

 creasing yield, is a practical question for cow keepers. 

 We consider it very important, however, that the mixture 

 of the moisture with the solid parts of the food be as inti- 

 mate as practicable. This intimate mixture is the reason 

 why succulent root-food, such as bagas, beets, and carrots, 

 promote health and thrift, by diluting drier feed in the 



