Pratts Practical Pointers on the Care of Livestock and Poultry | Page 8

but there are many many more cows which can be made to give
substantial, paying increase of milk production if proper attention is

given them. Perhaps there are such cows in your herd. Without your
even realizing it, they are out of condition. A little help and they would
give enough more milk to pay you a satisfactory profit.
This "help" can easily be given. Your own dealer has it. We mean
Pratts Cow Remedy, for cows only.
We all know how, when we are well, the sight or smell of pleasant
tasting food, "makes the mouth water." This is literally true because the
digestive glands of the mouth and stomach pour out their secretions and
are ready to begin digesting the food.
When, however, the nerves fail to send their messages to the glands or
the glands fail to respond, we have a diseased condition and we take
medicine to assist in recovery.
Thus the sensation known as appetite is really at the basis of sound
health. Without it, it is doubtful if animals would eat enough to supply
their bodily needs.
The mere forcing of food into the stomach would avail little. There
must be desire for food, and restoring the appetite is the first step in
bringing the health back. In other words an appetizer is often required
to induce us to eat. Then thorough digestion builds up bodily strength.
Pratts Cow Remedy does all this for the cow, assisting Nature in
bringing up the appetite, stimulating digestion, restoring and
maintaining health.
Cattle is generally divided into dairy, beef and dual purpose breeds.
The names signify the advantages claimed for them. In the dairy breeds,
the Holstein, Jersey, Guernseys, French Canadian and Ayrshire are
leaders.
Shorthorns, Herefords, Polled Durhams are the best-known beef breeds.
While among the dual purpose breeds, Milking Shorthorns, Red Polls,
Brown Swiss and Devons have many admirers.

The indications when selecting dairy females, and important in the
order given, are: (1) Much length or depth in the barrel or coupling,
indicating a large possible consumption and utilization of food. (2)
Refinement of form, as evidenced more particularly in the head, neck,
withers, thighs, and limbs. (3) Good development of udder and milk
veins. (4) Constitution, as indicated by a capacious chest, much width
through the heart, a broad loin, a full, clear eye, and an active carriage.
(5) Downward and yet outward spring and open-spaced ribs, covered
with a soft, pliable and elastic skin.
The essential indications of correct form in beef cattle are: (1) A
compact form wide and deep throughout, and but moderately long in
the coupling. (2) A good back, wide from neck to tail, well fleshed, and
straight. (3) A good front quarter, wide, deep, and full. (4) A good hind
quarter, long, wide, and deep. (5) Good handling qualities, as indicated
in elastic flesh and pliant skin.
[Illustration: ~GUERNSEY COW~]
The important indications of good form in dual females are: (1)
Medium to large size for the breed or grade. (2) Good length and depth
in the coupling. (3) Good development of udder and milk veins. (4)
Good constitution, as indicated by good width through the heart. (5)
Head and neck inclining to long and fine. (6) Ribs of medium spring,
open spaced, and covered with a good handling skin. The dual types
have an absence of extreme development in the direction of either the
dairy or the beef form.
In males selected for breeding, the evidences of masculinity should be
markedly present. These include increased strength as shown in the
head, neck, breast, shoulders, back and limbs.
The advantage of having pure blood stock over "scrubs" is apparent.
For those, however, who want something better than scrubstock and
cannot pay the high price which pure blood commands, the ownership
of grade cattle offers a satisfactory solution of the problem.
Grading consists in mating thoroughbred sires with common females

and with the female progeny for a number of generations. Where the
work is wisely done by the use of good sires, accompanied by the
rejection of all inferior animals for future breeding, the progeny of beef
sires may be brought up to the level of the pure breed for beef making
from which the sires have been selected in four generations. To bring
milking qualities up to the level may call for one or two more
generations of such breeding. Not only do these grade animals answer
almost equally well, with pure breeds, but they may be bought for
much less.
If cows are to produce a maximum return in milk, they must be kept in
comfort. In winter they are usually tied in the stall. The light should be
ample and the ventilation thorough. Lack of proper ventilation causes
the spread of tuberculosis in cattle.
Cows must be allowed exercise,