Keeping one cow: Being the experience of a number of practical writers, in a clear and condensed form, upon the management of a single milch cowVarious
Science
Keeping one cow: Being the experience of a number of practical writers, in a clear and condensed form, upon the management of a single milch cow
Various
Cows; Dairying
“June” had her fifth calf September sixth, 1878, and her sixth exactly
a year later. At the fifth calving there was a “false presentation,”
and a very serious time. No competent veterinarian was within reach,
or else one would have been called. As it was, I looked up the subject
in back volumes of agricultural papers and other publications, went to
work myself, and getting the calf into proper position, succeeded in
effecting a delivery without serious consequences. Last September’s calf
was a heifer, and by a fine sire, so, as “June” has reached her prime, if
not passed it, I am raising this calf to make a new cow to succeed the
worthy dam. Most keepers of one cow, however, are so situated that they
had better dispose of calves at once. Making veal is not as profitable as
making butter, and feeding skim-milk to children and chickens.
In order to have the products of the cow perfectly satisfactory, I lay
great stress upon the utmost care and cleanliness in milking. First,
see that the stall and all about it is in order, pure air, and no dust
flying, and the udder and flank of the cow quite clean. Except in the
coldest weather, the udder is sponged off with tepid water, and wiped
dry, just before milking. Then I trust no one to milk for me, but do it
myself, quietly, quickly, and completely, milking into a funnel, which
carries the fluid to a covered pail, which serves also a seat. This new
and truly “Perfect” milking-pail, which I first saw described in the
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, is a great improvement on all open vessels. I
prefer not to have the cow eating while I milk; she should give her whole
attention to the operation, as well as the milker. This certainty that
my milk reaches the house absolutely pure, not only satisfies us as to
our own cream and butter, but makes “June’s” milk in great demand in the
neighborhood. Our neighbors so much prefer it to milkmen’s milk that they
are willing to send to the house for it, and pay more than the usual
village price. This adds materially to the profit of keeping one cow.
[Illustration: Fig. 14.—THE GUERNSEY COW “LADY JANE” AND HEIFER.]
JOSEPH EARNEST AND HIS COW “COMFORT.”
A STORY OF THE WESTERN RESERVE.
BY S. B. MORRIS, CHARLESTOWN, PORTAGE CO., O.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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