ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



iiecl, except by the uncertain rainfall, it is too often the case that 

 you have a stagnant pool instead of the pure fresh water that 

 you should have. Impure water is not conducive to the health 

 and well-doing of a cow, any more than it is to that of the human 

 being. 



I have found by observation that cows, even in the heat of 

 summer, are partial to warm water. By warm water I mean 

 water at a temperature of 70 degrees F. Knowing this, then, 

 how unprofitable it would seem to force them to drink water at a 

 temperature of 32 degrees F. The cow is compelled to raise 

 the temperature of every drop of water she drinks to 98 degrees 

 F. For every degree of this, a certain amount of feed is requir- 

 ed. Thus, much feed which should go to the production of milk 

 is consumed in supplying anim?d heat. 



Water drawn direct from tb.e well will vary in temperature 

 from 45 to 60 degrees F. Consequently a cow given ice water 

 is compelled to heat an average of ten gallons of water daily to a 

 temperature 20 degrees in excess of what she should do. 



On the larger farms, where wind pumps are in use, neces- 

 sitating the use of large watering and reserve tanks, the use of 

 the tank heater is an indispensible necessity. 



A cow coming out of a dry, warm barn on a cold blustry 

 day is not apt to drink very much water, but if she finds the 

 water warm after the first few swallows, instead of turning 

 away, she will continue until she drinks her customary portion. 



Winter is the time when you need to exercise your very 

 best judgment in the care of your herd, if you would secure the 

 best results. 



In summer the cows will regulate the amount of her own 

 feed. She will choose the proper hours of feeding, the proper 

 hours for watering; she will shield herself from the excessive 

 heat and sudden storms ; she will keep her hair clean and glossy 

 and she will make her own bed. In winter all these cares will 

 devolve upon you. We have previously stated that the barn 

 should be warm; it should also be dry. No defects in drainage 

 should be tolerated. The floor upon which the cow stands should 



