GLEANINGS.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 291, 21 May 1898, Page 6 (Supplement)

GLEANINGS.

Tobacco dust is good to keep small insects from plants. Harsh treatment of the cow lessens the quantity of milk. Unless a cow turns her food into milk and not flesh she has no place in the dairy farm. Do not stop feeding the dairy cow as soon as she goes dry. Give her enough good food to steadily maintain a fair condition of flesh, and she will be all the better milker when she comes fresh again. If she is allowed to get thin in flesh it >vi 11 cost something to bring her up again. Keep the pigs clean and feed them properly and they will not scour. An attack of scours equals the dropping of about one week of growth, so it will pay to have better sanitary conditions and prevention foods. The dairyman must depend largely upon his own judgement as to wdiat breed of cows to keep. He should, if he is making butter, choose a breed best suited for producding butter. If he sells milk, he wants a cow that gives a large quantity of milk. One of the important items to learn in making the most out of dairy products is to put the butter on the market in a neat, attractive form. If put on the market so that it will be fresh, clean, and solid, a considerable difference in the prices can be realised. There is ever a tendency to breed too much for "show points." Breed for use. No matter whether it is a cow or a horte or a hog, see that the " poiuts " are such as will he of practical value, and will help serve the purpose for which the animal is needed. We feed our butter cows with rich foods that they may return them to us with good profits, but this is a great tax upon their systems, and many break down after a few years of such feeding, and must be replaced. They make .wonderful records, but can they give that vigor to their progeny which will make of them good milk producers ? There are many things that will cause a shrinkage in the milk which cannot be recovered afterwards Among them are dry and scanty pastures, without a suitable supplementary ration ; the chasing of dogs, keeping them from water until they will race to get it, and then they will gorge themselves ; iu shori, anything that tends to disturb the tenor of their ways. The handling of the cows should begin with the calf, and if continued habitually and gently the operation of milking will be regarded as a relief, instead of something to be avoided or resisted.