Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 17, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 January 1877 — Requisites in Dairy Farms. [ARTICLE]

Requisites in Dairy Farms.

In the fW place ttte land shbWU. well adapted to grass,-and sufficiently undulating or rolling so that surface water will be readily carried off. Land that is naturally wet and full of swales or low swampy places may possibly produce grass plentifully, but such grass wffl be inferior fQUpasturage. The beaU.milk gh clay in its composition to be retentive of weather approaches, and the feed in sumto be too scantj’ jjl thk*tock. A clay loam is perhaps as good soil for dairy purposes as can be had, though any soil where grass is enduring and is not subject to the objections we nave named will be well adapted to dairying, providing it is supplied with springs or streams of never-failing water. In our remarks we have had especial reference to pastures, but it will not be necessary that the whole be used for growing hay, may be more moist or wet than the pasturage. Not unfrequently large crops of hay are produced from low and rather wet lands; hence, if a portion of the farm is of this description and can be used for ferent character. water are, of course, tneoe'st, though we have seen good dairy farms where the water supply was obtained from wells. In this case windmills were erected to pump the water from wells that were unfailing, and by arranging the vats *or reservoirs so that the overflow could be conducted back again to the well, a constant supply of good, fresh water was kept within reach of stock. a operation, requiring but little attention. Still, it will be seen that all such artificial means of procuring water are much inferior to a living spring or stream, to say nothing of the extra expense entailed to keep up the needed Isupgly. T^£l ceß9i, 7 f or a gOO^^ > |]y toe tannjSly be TaCK one or themost essential requireWater is sometimes so located on farms that a good supply is furnished in pastures remote from the stables while little or none can be had at the latter place for stock. This will be a serious inconvenience even in summer, but in winter it will prove an insuperable objection, because cows that are obliged to travel long distances in the fierce blasts of winter. Northern climate cannot be expected to be carried through the season without heavy loss. In choosing a dairy farm then, look well to the winter as well as the summer supply of water. Another essential requisite in a good dairy farm is that the farm be got so ’fhanrecesucnuairy farms are objec?onable