at least ten times that
number, but has not seen the slightest trace of disease, as he certainly
should if any had existed. During the last two years but very little
swine plague has prevailed anywhere, and, as far as he knows, no
diseased hogs have been shipped; nearly if not all the small rendering
tanks having been closed.

* * * * *

M. Pasteur, the eminent French scientist, says epizootic hog-cholera,
even of the most virulent type, can be prevented by inocculation with
the attenuated virulent virus. He also says it is proven that the period
of immunity is more than a year; that, consequently, this is long enough
for the requirements of hog-raising, since the period of fattening does
not generally exceed a year. Yet, in spite of these happy results, I
repeat that the question of the use of vaccination for different breeds
needs new investigation, so that the vaccination of swine may be made
general.

THE DAIRY

Dairymen, Write for Your Paper.

WINTER FEED FOR COWS.

The increasing demand for milk in our cities and villages, and for
gilt-edged butter during the winter season, is leading some of our most
intelligent farmers to study more carefully the problem of winter
dairying. "It costs more to make butter in winter than in summer," says
the American Agriculturalist, "but if a select class of customers in
cities or elsewhere, are willing to pay for the increased cost of
producing it fresh in zero weather, then there is no good reason why
they should not be gratified. Its feasibility is already established on
a small scale, and there seems to be no discernible limit to the demand
for a first-class article during the six months when the pastures are
barren. The farmer who has the capital can readily provide a barn that
will make his cows nearly as comfortable and healthy in winter as in
summer, and shelter all the food they need to keep up a constant flow of
rich milk. We have not attained, perhaps, all the information necessary
to secure the best rations for winter milking, yet we are approximating
toward that knowledge. Some think they have found in ensilage the one
thing needful. Yet, some of the parties dealing in gilt-edge butter
begin to complain of that made from rations consisting largely of
ensilage. We shall probably have to put down early cut hay with the
flavor of June grass in it as an essential part of the winter rations
for first-class butter. We doubt