IXFLUEXCE OF FEEDIXG. 205 



ception is much more likely to take place if the cop\ilation 

 is deferred till near the end of the term ; and this is a fact 

 very generally accepted b}^ physiologists. 



There is no fixed time during which the " heat," or desire 

 for the bull, continues in the cow : it varies according to 

 condition, age, and many other circumstances. It may last 

 two, three, or four days ; but sometimes it ceases in twenty- 

 four hours. In very rare cases it continues ten to fifteen 

 days, and in some cows not more than four, five, cr six hours. 

 In some cows the length of its duration diminishes with age 

 to such a degree, that it has been known to last only an hour. 

 Conception always causes it to cease, and not unfrequently 

 a copulation that is not fruitful will prevent its recurrence ; 

 but usually, if the cow does not conceive, the period of heat 

 will return in twenty or twenty-one days. 



Now, this peculiar, excited state of the cow is the moment 

 indicated by nature for connection with the bull ; and it is 

 generally better to follow nature, and put her to the bull as 

 soon after it appears as practicable. 



Some cows will come in heat nearly every month, and it 

 is quite difficult to get them with calf. This often occurs 

 among high-bred cows, or cows kept too fat ; but with other 

 cows it indicates ah internal scrofulous disease, commonly 

 phthisis, or pneumonia. It is better to fat and kill or sell 

 such obstinate cases. To stimulate heat in the cow, as well 

 as in the bull, there is nothing better than more abundant and 

 more nutritive feeding, with some grain, bean, or especially 

 pea meal. Salt stimulates the appetite, and facilitates diges- 

 tion ; and exercise and moderate labor will also excite sexual 

 desire. The better a cow or heifer is fed, the more intense 

 and frequent will be the "heat" till conception takes place. 

 If the " heat " is allowed to pass several times without satis- 

 faction, the fecundity of the animal is injured. 



Never countenance the absurd and ridiculous practices in 

 some neighborhoods, of running a cow after copulation, or 

 giving her a cold bath. Never cut off the end of her tail to 

 make her "stick." All these practices are utterly absurd, 

 — as absurd as sticking a plug of garget-root into the dewlap 

 to cure the garget in the udder. 



Many curious and interesting facts might be presented to 

 show the importance of giving special attention to the quality 



