The keeping of one cow seems to be generally regarded as a matter of so
little importance, and one so simple in its nature, that even persons of
low intelligence can scarcely fail of success. But to keep a cow in such
a manner as to receive the greatest return for the least possible expense
in labor and money, requires the most careful study of the nature and
habits, endurance, needs, and the productive capabilities of the animal,
and involves scientific principles which are deeper and broader than
those generally applied to the keeping of stock of any kind.
If the average quantity of milk be ten quarts per day during the year,
and the expense twenty cents per day, the milk will cost two cents per
quart, and if the milk is worth three cents per quart, there is a net
profit of fifty per cent upon the cost of keeping, or ten cents per day.
But if the quantity of milk be eight quarts per day, and the expense
twelve cents, the milk will cost only one and a half cents per quart, or
twelve cents per day. Then three cents per quart for the milk will leave
an actual profit of one hundred per cent upon the cost of keeping, or
twelve cents per day.
One acre, and even something less, put in good condition, well fertilized
and properly seeded, will be ample for a pasture, and will furnish
plenty of nutritious feed, upon which, with proper care, the cow will
yield an abundant flow of rich and delicious milk; while one-third of
an acre of similar soil will produce sufficient hay for the winter. The
pasture should be divided into two parts, the cow to be kept a few days
in each alternately, with plenty of pure water and shade. Where land is
high, as it always is in towns and villages of any size, the practice of
“soiling,” as it is usually termed, is the most profitable way to keep a
cow. For this purpose, a small yard, some twenty to thirty feet square,
perhaps, or of such size as can be afforded, may be provided, containing
an open shed—the more open the better for the summer—only so that it will
shelter the animal from the heat of the sun and the storms. The yard and
shed should be kept as clean and dry as possible, or the cow will become
ill. Plenty of pure water is indispensable at all times. A comfortable
place for the cow to lie down is very important. Sawdust, forest leaves,
old straw, or other convenient and cheap litter will answer for bedding;
or, if the ground be smooth, clean and dry, that may be sufficient. The
manure is to be carefully collected and placed under another shed, or
other convenient place under shelter provided for the purpose, and, to
prevent bad odors, the heap should receive, once in two or three days,
a light covering of muck, leaves, sods, weeds dug up in the garden or
elsewhere, or fine earth—almost anything that will rot—and thus not only
prevent the unpleasantness and unhealthfulness of such odors, and the
loss that would result from their escape, but add largely to the size
and value of the manure heap. Now, have about two-thirds of an acre of
land, highly manured, and, with the exception of about fourteen square
rods, well seeded with a variety of nutritious grasses. This quantity
of land, if properly enriched and cultivated, will keep a cow the year
round, and keep her well, without purchasing any feed. A good rack or
other arrangement in the shade is necessary, in which to feed, so that
nothing shall be wasted. Then, quite early in the season, the grass upon
this rich soil will be large enough to be cut and fed to the cow. While
the ground is sufficiently moist, in the fore part of the season, the
grass will grow very rapidly, and, when the soil becomes a little too
dry, about half a bushel of plaster, or twice as much lime, or two or
three bushels of wood ashes, scattered upon it, will usually renew the
vigor and freshness of the crop, which may be repeated with benefit two
or three times before the end of the growing season. Another excellent
fertilizer, which may be applied during the summer, is the waste water
from the house, such as soap suds, dish water, and any other slops that
are to be thrown away. These should all be saved and scattered upon the
grass from pails, if no better method is ordinarily practicable, and it
will pay a person many times over for the trouble. A light top-dressing
of manure from the cow-yard or shed will be necessary every year, or
every second year certainly, applied in the fall, or early in the spring.
As soon as the grass has fairly got into blossom, it should be
immediately cut and well-cured for winter use, unless it may be necessary
to save a small quantity to feed until that portion which was first cut
for the cow shall be ready to cut again. Grass should never be allowed
to stand until the seed has formed, as just previous to that time it is
more nutritious than at any other period. Hay cut thus early will make
much more and better milk, and keep a cow in better condition than that
which is cut later. A portion of the grass can be mown a second time for
hay, and still leave enough for green feed until foddering time. The
exact proportion of the crop to be made into hay must, of course, depend
upon circumstances. All that is not needed for summer use should be cured
for winter, and the quantity will, generally, be sufficient, if, indeed,
there is not an overplus, as will quite likely occur in many cases.
[Illustration: Fig. 22.—SHORTHORN COW “COLD CREAM.”]