Cow-Keeping hy Farm Labourers. 
533 
from li to 2 tons of hay in winter." He buys no manure, but 
he " generally finds it profitable to supplant the hay supplied by 
the farmer, bv the purchase of a moderate quantity of meal, or 
cake, during winter."' The farmer supplies the litter. That 
portion of the produce of the dairy which is not consumed by 
the labourer's family is sold. Mr. Patten makes this sensible 
and practical remark on the quality of the butter : " Butter 
bein? oftener made in lar<;e dairies, the cream is not so long 
kept ; hence the butter is a little sweeter than where the 
labourer's wife onlv makes it once a week, and in order to 
extract the last grain of strength from the milk perhaps allows 
the cream to stand too long on her dishes. Still, only the fasti- 
dious could detect the difference." 
The cost of a byre for four cows is about -407. Mr. Patten 
makes this reply to the query as to assurance : — 
" Until within a few years ago, a cow-club existed in this neighbourhood, in 
which a farm laboiu"er could insure his cow to the amovmt of 12/. by paying an 
annual subscription of 10s. After doing good ser%-!ce for about thirty years, 
this club was found at length unable to meet its demands, owing to much loss 
among cows. Hence its discontinuance." 
This intelligent informant completes his replies as follows : — 
" Any decrease in the niunber of cows kept by farm labotuers is to be 
deplored, as it means a sciucity of the most natural and wholesome food 
and beverage ; and the stalwart frame and ruddy countenance of the country- 
man is owing as much to this diet as to the pure air he breathes. Indeed, the 
benefit to a family where milk is freely used in the place of tea, coffee, and 
beer, can scarcely be overestimated. The keeping of cows also tends to habits 
of economy and thrift, the housewife being able to attend to the cow as well 
as to periorm her household duties. Where good management exists this extra 
labour is amply repaid. 
" From these cows a number of calves are produced, which is an advantage 
to the farmer, from having them bred at his door." 
Mr. G. H. May, Elford Park, Tamworth, in replying to the 
queries, has written me an interesting letter on the milk-supply, 
which 1 hope to publish in another article. riting on the 
same subject, Mr. James Howard describes a simple method by 
which he supplies the village ot Clapham, Bedibrdshire, with 
milk. 
Mr. W. T. Carrington, Croxden Abbey, Uttoxeter, refers to 
the iudiiferent milk-supplv, and thinks that some of the best 
farm labourers should have the chance of keeping a cow. He 
writes ; — 
"Three of my iabourei-s keep cows, and all of them obtain from me, at 
moderate prices, linseed- and cotton-cake, iS:c., to supplement any deficiency 
in the quantity of their hay, and to increase the yield of milk and butter. 
"The condition of these small holdings is generally good, owing to the 
consumption of purchased food by the cow or pig. 
