han either oxen or young cattle.

In order to keep cows in milk well and economically, regularity is next
in importance to a full supply of wholesome and nutritious food. The
animal stomach is a very nice chronometer, and it is of the utmost
importance to observe regular hours in feeding, cleaning, and milking.
This is a point, also, in which very many farmers are at fault--feeding
whenever it happens to be convenient. The cattle are thus kept in a
restless condition, constantly expecting food when the keeper enters the
barn; while, if regular hours are strictly adhered to, they know exactly
when they are to be fed, and they rest quietly till the time arrives. If
one goes into any well-regulated dairy establishment an hour before
feeding, scarcely an animal will rise to its feet; while; if it happens
to be the hour of feeding, the whole herd will be likely to rise and
seize their food with an avidity and relish not to be mistaken.

With respect to the exact nurture to be pursued, no rule could be
prescribed which would apply to all cases; and each individual must be
governed much by circumstances, both regarding the particular kinds of
feed at different seasons of the year, and the system of feeding. It has
been found--it may be stated--in the practice of the most successful
dairymen, that, in order to encourage the largest secretion of milk in
stalled cows, one of the best courses is, to feed in the morning, either
at the time of milking--which is preferred by many--or immediately
after, with cut feed, consisting of hay, oats, millet, or cornstalks,
mixed with shorts, and Indian linseed, or cotton-seed meal, thoroughly
moistened with water. If in winter, hot or warm water is far better than
cold. If given at milking-time, the cows will generally give down their
milk more readily. The stalls and mangers should first be thoroughly
cleansed.

[Illustration: THE FAMILY PETS.]

Roots and long hay may be given during the day; and at the evening
milking, or directly after, another generous meal of cut feed, well
moistened and mixed, as in the morning. No very concentrated food, like
grains alone, or oil-cakes, should be fed early in the morning on an
empty stomach, although it is sanctioned by the practice in the London
milk-dairies. The processes of digestion go on best when the stomach is
sufficiently distended; and for this purpose the bulk of food is almost
as important as the nutritive qualities. The flavor of some ro