COWS HARD TO MILK.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1160, 18 October 1913, Page 4

COWS HARD TO MILK.

There are two methods of treating the hard-milking cow. One is to use teat pings. These can be purchased from veterinary surgeons. They are merely plugs made so that they may be inserted in the end ol the teat, where they remain between milking periods. The reason a cow milks bard is because the sphincter muscle, which contracts the end of the tent, is rigid. The teat plugs re maiuiug in the teat between milking hours have a tendency gradually to distend and dilate Ibis muscle in such a way that the cow eventually becomes easy to milk. The second method is to cut the teals, thus weakening the sphincter muscle. This is accomplished with a teat-slitter, an instrument that is inserted into the teat. By pressing Ilia end snull knives are forced out in such a way that when the teat slitter is withdrawn the muscle is severed. It. is necessary after this operation to milk the cow several limes each day while the muscle is healing in order that it does not grow back together as lightly as before the operation. Often it is well to cut the muscle in this manner and follow the operation by the use ol the teat plugs. There is really no reason why one should utilise his time with hard milkers when by the use of these inexpensive instruments they may be rendered easy milkers. One precaution that it is necessary to lake is that all instruments inserted in the cow’s teat should be carefully sterilised before each insertion. This guards against infection of the udder. It is also as well not to attempt the operation yourself unless you have some experience.