572 
MANAGEMENT OE DAIRY CATTLE. 1851 to 1856. 
By T. Horsfall. 
[Continued from p. 522.) 
Gain or Loss of Condition ascertained by Weighing Cattle 
periodically. 
For some years back I have regularly weighed my feeding 
stock, a practice from which I am enabled to ascertain their 
doings with greater accuracy than I could previously. In 
January, 1854, I commenced weighing my milch cows; it 
has been shown by what I have premised, that no accurate 
estimate can be formed of the effect of the food on the pro- 
duction of milk, without ascertaining its effect on the condi- 
tion of the cows. I have continued the practice once a month 
almost without omission up to this date. The weighings take 
place early in the morning, and before the cows are supplied 
with food ; the weights are registered, and the length of time 
(15 months) during which I have observed this practice, 
enables me to speak with confidence of the results. 
The cows in full milk yielding 12 to 16 quarts each per 
day vary but little — some losing, others gaining, slightly; 
the balance in the month’s weighing of this class being rather 
to gain. It is common for a cow to continue a yield from 
six to eight months before she gives below 12 quarts per day, 
at which time she has usually, if not invariably, gained 
weight. 
The cows giving less than 12 quarts, and down to 5 quarts 
per day, are found when free from ailment to gain without 
exception. This gain, with an average yield of nearly 8 quarts 
per day, is at the rate of 7 lbs. to 8 lbs, per week each. 
My cows in calf I weigh only in the incipient stages, 
but they gain perceptibly in condition, and consequently in 
value : they are milked till within four to five weeks previous 
to calving. I give the weights of three of these, and also of 
one heifer, which calved in March, 1855: — 
No. 
1854 
1855 
Gain 
1 
Bought and weighed 
July. 
cwt. qr. lbs. 
10 1 20 
April 
cwt. qr. lbs. 
11 3 0 
lbs. 
148 
2 
>> >> 
8 2 10 
10 2 0 
214 
3 
f Heifer, which calved also \ 
fin March, 1855, weighed f 
8 2 0 
10 0 0 
184 
4 
» 
7 0 0 
9 3 0 
300 
