Butter Making.

Otago Witness, Issue 1905, 14 August 1890, Page 7

Butter Making.

TO THB BDITOB. Sib,— ln a former letter under the above heading which appeared in a recent issue, I briefly referred to one or two matters that I was inclined to think do not receive that amount of attention that they are entitled to, and will in this letter endeavour to point oat what I consider to be another aerions drawback to the production of good butter — and that is the almost total disregard paid to the health of tbe cows, for there are times when the milk drawn from the cows is fit for no other purpose than to feed pigs with, the prevalent idea seeming to be tbat so long as there is milk to be drawn from a cow all is right. To explain: Cows calving in the spring of the year, when the youog grass is coming, are turned out, and the dry fodder they have hitherto had is stopped, with the result that in the course of a few days they are attacked with " scour," and so long as they remain in this state I maintain that their health is impaired, and that it is impossible to make good butter from the milk of suoh cows, ib (tho butter) having a strong, bitter taste. I myself make a practice of giving my oows dry fodder up to Christmas, at the same time the cows are turned out morning and evening; but when brought in again there is always a bundle of straw or hay in the manger for them to feed on, and for which they appear to be particularly fond. As a result of 'his feeding my cow 3 are never troubled as described, and when the grass has thoroughly matured I have no further care, as it is only in the earlier stages, when the grass is springing and is soft and watery, tbat the cows are thus affected. Having readied the limits of this letter, I am, &c., July 28. Fabmbe.