80 VARIATION OF FAT IN MILK AND CREAM 



large excess of protein stimulated the milk flow to the extent 

 of 15 per cent, but he concluded that the per cent of fat in the 

 milk is not influenced by the food a cow receives. 



The addition of such abnormal foods as tallow, lard, palm 

 and oleo oils to a cow's ration, or such a radical change of food 

 and environment as from stable to pasture conditions, may cause 

 a temporary change in the per cent of fat in a cow's milk, but the 

 change is only temporary. 



9. Environment. — Such unfavorable conditions as exposure 

 to inclement weather, sudden changes in temperature, and poorly 

 ventilated barns will cause a decrease in the milk flow. Experi- 

 enced cheese and butter-makers have noted a very serious falling 

 off in the output of their factories within a comparatively short 

 time, when the cows were exposed to low temperatures and cold 

 storms. Under continued exposure to unfavorable environment 

 there may be, at first, a temporary increase in the per cent of fat 

 in the milk. 



Reasonable exercise, under suitable weather conditions, is 

 favorable to both health and a large production, but excess of 

 exercise is not desirable. Where cows are confined to the stable, 

 without exercise, the production may be quite satisfactory, but 

 these conditions are detrimental to the health of the animal and, 

 in the authors' opinion, are contributory to the spread of tuber- 

 culosis in a herd. In Denmark it is the common practice to keep 

 the cows closely confined, without exercise, during the winter 

 months, and tuberculosis is very prevalent amongst the herds of 

 that country. 



To secure the best results we must study the comfort of the 

 animal, and under the head of comfort we include favorable 

 temperature, clean healthful surroundings and the avoidance of 

 rough treatment and excitement. 



10. Condition of Cow. — If a cow be in a high state of flesh 

 when she freshens, her milk will test much higher during the first 

 few weeks than it otherwise would. Investigations made by 

 Professor Eckles of Minnesota University bring this point out 

 very clearly. We submit the following table based upon work 

 done by him: 



