j8 4 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 



protein, carbohydrates and fat. Then feed all the cow will consume, but 

 be sure she eats it up clean and is greedy for the next meal. 



At present we are using the following ration for our cows with excel- 

 lent results: 



Corn meal, gluten! meal, cut oat straw — equal parts by weight — about 

 5 pounds clover hay and 5 pounds cut straw mixed. And for roughage 

 we use corn straw and oat straw. 



We have cut the dry corn fodder up same as for silage and run it into 

 a tank. When the tank is full throw several pails of water in the cut fod- 

 der and let it stand for twelve hours. This makes a good feed and none is 

 wasted. 



Another thing that should receive the attention of the private dairy- 

 man is his water supply. Much has been said concerning this subject and 

 I have no time to enlarge upon it only to say the water supply both for 

 washing the utensils and for the cows cannot be too good. 



We must have the cows lined up along the gutter and provided with 

 plenty of bedding so- they can be kept perfectly clean. Then no man 

 ought to be allowed in the barns of whom the cows are afraid,. A man 

 who causes the cows to squirm and twist should be kicked off the farm and 

 in a hurry too. 



Often milk is left standing in the stables, and as milk absorbs odors 

 readily, butter mad<* from the cream of such milk will be off flavor, and 

 oftentimes for no apparent reason to the farmer. But the cause of this 

 is this, and mus't be eradicated if a pure, long-keeping article is to be 

 made. 



In several countries 1 * we find the s practice of milking cows out in the 

 pasture, and from those countries we find butter scoring the highest in 

 flavor. I have often been tempted to try that plan along with stabling, 

 but have never had the opportunity yet to compare the results. I believe 1 

 even with the best of sanitary conditions, a better product can be) made 

 in open air, for it has more purity, lessi chance for contamination, but 

 owing to* climatic conditions her« ^eld work is out of the question either 

 in summer or winter. 



