_To preserve Cattle from Disease in the Winter._--When cattle are
kept out in the winter, it is recommended as a useful practice to
rub some tar at the root of the horn, which prevents the wet from
getting between the root and the skin; and it is said, contributes
so preserve the health of the animal, and to keep it free from
various diseases to which it may otherwise be liable.
_Rules for Milking Cows._--Cows should be milked three times a day,
if fully fed, throughout the summer, and _great caution should
be exercised by the persons employed, to draw the milk from them
completely_, not only to encrease the quantity of produce, but
to preserve its quality. Any portion which may be left in the
udder, seems gradually to be absorbed into the system, and no
more is formed than enough to supply what is taken away; and by
the continuance of the same mode, a yet further dimunition of the
secretion takes place, until at length scarcely any is produced.
This last mode of milking is always practised when it is intended
that a cow should be rendered dry.
_Additional quantity of Milk to be gained by keeping Milch Cows in
the house._--In the management of cows, a warm stable is highly
necessary; and currying them like horses, not only affords them
pleasure, but makes them give their milk more freely. They ought
always to be kept clean, laid dry, and have plenty of good sweet
water to drink. Cows treated in this manner, have given ten gallons
of milk at a time, when within ten days of calving.
_To prevent Cows from contracting bad habits while milking._--Cows
should be always treated with great gentleness, and soothed by mild
usage, especially when young and ticklish, or when the paps are
tender, in which case the udder ought to be fomented with warm water
before milking, and touched with the greatest gentleness, otherwise
the cow will be in danger of contracting bad habits, becoming
stubborn and unruly, and retaining her milk ever after. A cow never
lets down her milk pleasantly to the person she dreads or dislikes.
The udder and paps, should always be washed with clean water before
milking; but care should be taken that none of that water be
admitted into the milking pail.
Sir George M'Kenzie has discovered that oil rubbed upon the stems
and branches of fruit trees destroys insects, and increases the
fruit buds. Mr. John Linning, has added to the discovery, by using
it successfully upon the stems of carnations, to guard them against
the depredations of the earwig. The coarsest oil will suit, and only
a small quantity is required.
_To prevent smut in wheat._--Take four quarts of good lye, or
a sufficient quantity to wet your seed, and add to it a bushel
of wheat, stirring till the whole is alike wet, then sow it
immediately, as the strong lye will injure the seed if delayed. The
lye may be as strong as you can bare to sow without injury to the
hand. A little tallow applied to the hand will prevent injury from
the lye. I have continued this practice 12 years out of 20; and have
never known it to fail of success. I have frequently made use of
smutty wheat for seed, and found my crops perfectly free from smut.
Much depends on having the lye sufficiently strong to take off the
fuz on wheat.