Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 October 1890 — THE DAIRY. [ARTICLE]

THE DAIRY.

Winter Dairying. The man who changes his dairy from summer to one of winter milk, says John Could, in Dairy Column, has many new things to learn, and his profound wisdom in the management of the dairy in summer. has but little value to him in the production of winter milk, and the care of the milch cow in the cold months. A man who makes this change should at once become a student, an investigator, travel a new road, and one in which “ruts” form no part of the traveled way. It is a long task to change the same dairy from spring to fall calving. When wo adopted winter dairying, we sold all of the old dairy, and in October bought a dairy of “Springers” calving in October and November, and started in fresh. Ddring the previous summer, we had built a big silo, and in September we filled it to the brim with the finest, of silage. A car load of second fine shorts was purchased and put in the bins, a nice mow of clover hay was handy by and everything made snug for the winter. The stanchions were taken out of the stables, and a half box stall made six feet four inches wide, for each two cows. Neck chains were provided so to give the largest freedom of movement, consistent with safety to the herd, and plenty of sawdust, straw, etc., provided for bedding. The first fall the weather was'not to suit us, and stabling nights began by October 15, and by November 10 the cows were practically in winter quarters. After December 1 they were not turned out of their stalls pntll April 10. And thia la now our custom. The cows are

watered twice ier day in the> stalls, from an iron tank of water standing in the stable, but closely covered, and Is f<*d into dally from a deep rock well, so that an even temperature of fifty degrees Is maintained for the water, and wa; ming it does not pay so far as I can find out. The cows have a daily ration made up of fifty pounds silage, six pounds shorts, the silage and grain divided into two feeds, and three to five pounds clover hay, the latter fed at noon. The ration is varied a little according to the size and performance of the individual cow. Water is given at 10 a. m. and 4 p. m. Each cow is watered separately, and j then one knows when they have drank, | and how much, and if refusing at one time they are especially looked after later. The milking, as well as feeding, is regular, the latter always immediately after the feeding. The manger is divided off so that each cow cats her own rations, and can be added to and not stolen. A record book Is kept, giving the time of coming in, service, etc.; then at regular periods the cow is turned into a large box-stall with the bull, and the good cow may be continued in the dairy another year, and in regular season. The barn Is made warm by double boarding, and tar-paper lined. Windows are provided for in abundance, so that the cows can have a sun bath. Fresh air is provided, and things so ordered that the temperature of the stable does not fall below 45 deg'rties. On this treatment and ration, tho cows give a uniform mess from October to J une 15. Then they begin to dry off, and by August 1 are resting in the summer pasture, taking exercise and getting ready to take their places In the dairy again during October and November. I am now wholly convinced that cows stabled in such a barn as mine, warm, dry, clean, and given plenty of light and air, if tied with chain»sO as to have a certain amount of freodom of movement, that exclusive confining in stalls for eighteen or twenty weeks Is not an Injury to the cows, but a positive advantage. Mv dows are never off their feed, show no symptoms of being lame or stiffened up, and show a decided disposition to gain in flesh. The winter milker, with good June pastures, will give fully one-third more by calving in October, than if sho comes Into the dairy in April, and the needed amount of grain will not greatly exceed tho amount that should be fed to the summer milker. Such is our experience.