SELECTION AND CARE OF COWS.

Golden Bay Argus, Volume XII, Issue 47, 21 April 1910, Page 2

SELECTION AND CARE OF COWS.

In selecting cows for' the dairy,• cftoose those with a good milk and butter record. The best is none too good, and you will never regret the extra money it will cost you to get cows ot the best type. Just which breed to select is a question that must be decided by the purchaser, and it will depend largely upon his location and the dairy product he desires. But whatever breed is selected, let the individual animal be ot the best.

The poorest investment that caA< be made is buying poor cows. They; will never meet your expectation,' nor give you satisfaction, and you will condemn the cows, when the fault lies with yourself in purchasing them. Dispose of your poor cows and begin anew with good stock. The poor cow seldom bring* any income to the owner, for, as a rule, she more than eats up the profit. The same will apply to all classes ot stock, but more to cow* for we spend more time and labour • on them. Quality is of vital importance, and the farmer should select the best and keep his herd up to a high standard. Too many farmers do not appreciate the difference between good and poor cows as they should. In selecting the dairy cow, look for dairy points ; find out about her ancestry, and learn it she was started right with the intention ot development along the dairy line. While a good cow must combine the points mentioned, yet it will require careful- attention to feeding, milking, watering, salting, and neatness and cleanliness to be successful. It would be well to keep a record of the milk yiteld of each cow, and have the milk tested, so that >you will i know what each animal is doing.

Another great point is kind treatment. With constant scolding and whipping, any cow will fail in quantity of milk. A cow will not give down her milk to one she dislikes or is afraid of, and the milker should not be changed oftener than is absolutely necessary. There should always be a'friendly feeling between the cow and milker. No cow likes rough treatment, .which is inhuman and cruel; no man should allow such treatment. Be kind and patient with the cows ; it will pay.—Queenslander."