392 Home Nature-Study Course. 



LESSON ON CATTLE. 



When we take the subject of cattle for Nature-Study we naturally 

 follow two lines of inquiry, one regarding the natural history of the 

 animals, and the other dealing with their domestic history and use. 

 First we will study how they live in a wild state, and how they are 

 adapted in form to such conditions. 



1. Do wild cattle live in herds or singly? 



2. What are their enemies? 



3. How does the herd defend itself from enemies? 



4. In herds of buffalo or wild cattle where are the calves, the cows and the 

 bulls when attacked? 



5. How does the individual defend itself? 



6. Are the great heads and shoulders of the bulls developed for fighting 

 enemies or each other? 



7. What is the food of wild cattle and where do they^find it? 



8. How are the teeth arranged to get their food? 



9. What is the process of chewing the cud? 



10. Can you think of any advantage to wild cattle that comes from the cud- 

 chewing habit? 



11. Compare^a cow's Jegs and^feet to thejegs and arms of man,\nd tell what 

 part corresponds to the elbow, wrist, knee, ankle, heel, toes. What part does 

 the cow walk on? 



12. In a natural state cattle frequent shallow rivers and marshes in order to 

 get water. Can you think of any advantage which the split hoof gives them in 

 such situations? 



13. How are the cow's feet and legs placed when she Ues down to sleep? 



14. How does she get up and down? Compare in this respect with a horse. 



15. When a calf is born in the fields it is often hidden by the cow and will refuse 

 to stir when discovered. What is the origin of the habit? 



16. Name and give brief descriptions of all the different breeds of cattle with 

 which you are familiar. 



17. Which of these are beef and which are milk producing? Is the cow pic- 

 tured at the head of this lesson of the beef or milk type? 



18. What are the distinguisliing points of a good milk cow? 



19. How many pounds of milk per year should a dairy cow give to be profitable 

 if the product is cheese? If the product is butter? Why this discrepancy? 



20. What is the per cent of butter-fat in milk necessary to make it legally 

 salable in New York State? 



21. How many months of the year should a good cow give milk? 



22. Why and where is dehorning cattle practiced? 



23. When and how should a calf be dehorned? 



24. Should a dog be used in driving dairy cows? If not, why? 



25. .Why should a cow be milked during the season by the same person? 



26, Why should loud talking and noise during milking time be avoided? 



27, Why is a cold barn which allows -mnd to enter, a means of extravagance in 

 fodder and grain? 



28. Why should milk not be strained in the bam? 



29. Why is it profitable for the dairy farmer to keep his stables clean and be 

 cleanly in the care of the milk? 



