ots, as
cabbages and turnips, is more apt to be imparted to the flesh and milk
when fed on an empty stomach than otherwise. After the cows have been
milked and have finished their cut feed, they are carded and curried
down, in well-managed dairies, and then either watered in the
stall--which, in very cold or stormy weather, is far preferable--or
turned out to water in the yard. While they are out, if they are let out
at all, the stables are put in order; and, after tying them up, they are
fed with long hay, and left to themselves till the next feeding time.
This may consist of roots--such as cabbages, beets, carrots, or
turnips sliced--or of potatoes, a peck, or--if the cows are very
large--a half-bushel each, and cut feed again at the evening milking, as
in the morning; after which, water in the stall, if possible.

The less cows are exposed to the cold of winter, the better. They eat
less, thrive better, and give more milk, when kept housed all the time,
than when exposed to the cold. A case is on record, where a herd of
cows, which had usually been supplied from troughs and pipes in the
stalls, were, on account of an obstruction in the pipes, obliged to be
turned out thrice a day to be watered in the yard. The quantity of milk
instantly decreased, and in three days the diminution became very
considerable. After the pipes were mended, and the cows again watered,
as before, in their stalls, the flow of milk returned. This, however,
must be governed much by the weather; for in very mild and warm days it
may be judicious not only to let them out, but to allow them to remain
out for a short time, for the purpose of exercise.

Any one can arrange the hour for the several processes named above, to
suit himself; but, when once fixed, it should be rigidly and regularly
followed. If the regular and full feeding be neglected for even a day,
the yield of milk will immediately decline, and it will be very
difficult to restore it. It may be safely asserted, as the result of
many trials and long practice, that a larger flow of milk follows a
complete system of regularity in this respect than from a higher feeding
where this system is not adhered to.

One prime object which the dairyman should keep constantly in view is,
to maintain the animal in a sound and healthy condition. Without this,
no profit can be expected from a milch cow for any considerable length
of time; and with a view to this, there should be an occasional change