228 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



herd has been tested no animals should be added to it unless 

 known to be free from the disease. 



There is little danger of a healthy cow giving abnormal milk, 

 if she is well cared for and not allowed to be excited, or unneces- 

 sarily disturbed. For this reason it is customary to have cer- 

 tain attendants always care for the same animals. But on some 

 large dairy farms this practice is not followed, the claim being 

 made that cows are satisfied with any attendant as soon as they 

 become accustomed to frequent changes. No dog, unless it has 

 been well trained, should be allowed in the pasture or barnyard, 

 and the herd should never be driven rapidly to or from the- 

 pasture. If a cow is in the habit of hooking others she can 

 usually be quieted by dehorning. 



Bad effects of feeds may be avoided by changing them 

 gradually and avoiding the. use of those which give flavor to the 

 milk — if the latter must be used, the best time is soon after 

 milking. Cows may safely be allowed to graze in a pasture con- 

 taining some garlic if they are stabled several hours before milk- 

 ing and given dry feed. Such articles as turnips, onions, sour 

 ensilage, etc. , should not be stored in the stable, as their odor 

 is imparted to the milk through the air. 



The proper time for commencing to use milk after calving is 

 easily decided by its appearance and taste, and its behavior 

 when boiled. Colostrum contains much more albumen than 

 normal milk, and this coagulates into a solid mass when heated. 



The cleaning of the cow is too often considered of small im- 

 portance. Every milch cow should be carefully curried and 

 brushed daily, and the udder and lower parts should always be 

 brushed just before milking. Animals not accustomed to this care 

 object to it at first, but with gentleness and patience on the part 

 of theattendants they soon learn to expect it and to stand quietly 

 during the operation, which contributes to their own comfort. 

 It is not enough to clean only the lower parts, leaving the back 

 and sides; the work should be thoroughly done. Some dairy- 

 men groom their cows as carefully as horses are groomed in the 



