114 THE JERSEY, ALDERNEY AND GUERNSEY COW 



moved, generally every three hours, and sometimes 

 oftener ; drink is given to them in the morning on leav- 

 ing the stable, and at noon ; if it be summer-time, they 

 receive it also in the evening. About the month of 

 May they are allowed to remain out at night, and con- 

 tinue so until the end of October, when the system of 

 housing above described recommences. During sum- 

 mer, cows are frequently milked three times a day ; and 

 when the weather becomes very warm, they are brought 

 into the stable for a few hours, else they would be tor- 

 mented by flies. At this period (height of summer) a 

 great diminution takes place in their milk ; but as the 

 heat ceases toward the fall, it rapidly springs up again 

 to what it was in the spring : this is the time when but- 

 ter is crocked for winter supply. A cow is in her 

 prime at six years of age, and continues good until ten 

 years old ; many are kept that are much older, but then 

 they begin to fall off. In general, cows have their first 

 calf when much too young; at two years old is their 

 usual time, but then their produce is small, and con- 

 tinues so for at least a twelvemonth, when it gradually 

 increases until it arrives at maturity. A good cow on 

 the average gives fourteen quarts of milk per day, or 

 eight or nine pounds of butter per week : instances are 

 common of cows giving twelve or even fourteen pounds 

 of butter in one week, but that is above the average 

 figure.*' 



Perfect cleanliness in every part of the cow-house is 

 of essential importance — to judge from the filthy con- 



