310 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



its full power, without the necessary food and care to keep it in 

 action. "We are satisfied that one-fourth to one-half the profit 

 which might be drawn from our American cows, is annually lost 

 to their keepers by a want of the necessary quantity, and the 

 proper quality, of food which should be giveu to them, and con- 

 sequently a considerable' portion of the capital invested in their 

 purchase, or value, is thus unproductive; and that only from the 

 short supply of food, and want of care given to them. A good 

 family, or dairy cow, without regard to her breed, anywhere in 

 the United States, and at any time, is worth fifty, to seventy- 

 five dollars. Such a cow will produce 600 to 800 gallons of 

 milk, or 200 to 250 pounds of butter, or 500 to 600 pounds of 

 cheese in a year, and possibly more — if properly fed; or, she 

 may produce but half those quantities of each, or either, if 

 scantily fed. In both cases, the original cost, or value of the 

 cow ia the same ; the care is, or should be, nearly the same, while 

 all the loss in her production is caused by the inadequacy of her 

 food, a full supply of which would be but a partial percentage 

 added to the cost of poor feeding. This we think a fair state- 

 ment. 



Now what shall that food be ? Fresh, succulent grass of good 

 quality, and as much of it as her digestive powers will consume 

 during the grazing season, is the readiest and most natural food 

 of the cow, giving her not only the most nutriment, but produc- 

 ing the best milk. Therefore she should have it in unstinted 

 abundance. When at pasture, she should not toil for her food. 

 She should have it within easy reach, with good water always 

 at hand. No matter how active her breed, or habits, the easier 

 she obtains her food, with abundant time for rest, the more 

 abundant will be her yield of milk, and the greater will be the 

 quantity of cheese, or butter, she will make. The judgment of 

 her keeper, will determine when the pastures fail in their supply 

 of grass, and then other food, as an equivalent, must be given. 



