THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



from the milk, aud iutroduciupj the use of vegetable food, to 

 become fit for the pasture field. The use is very great iu this 

 way ; the calf in the pens is treated with the most tender 

 green food, is accustomed to it in the yard, aud finally subsists 

 upon it in the fields, A sudden change is avoided, which is 

 always hurtful. 



Au orchard furnishes a most agreeable retreat for weaning 

 calves that are ouly allowed a portion of milk. The shade of 

 the trees is very agreeable during heats, and a shelter from 

 rains, with a shed for extreme cases ; the grass is tender and 

 delicate for the youug condition, aud is quickly learned to be 

 eaten,' and a supply of water completes the accommodation. 

 According as convenience directs, the cows can be brought into 

 the orchard to give suck at the fixed time, or the calves may 

 be driven into the farm-yard. The cow may be most conve- 

 niently brought inside the orchard gate : when fed by pail, an 

 opening in the nearest fence will permit the head of the calf 

 to drink the milk, aud exclude it by being shut. The position 

 of the grounds will direct the respective applications, whicli 

 should be made fit by the farmer, being arranged to comply 

 with the requiren'e its of use. 



Milch cows require au abundance of food and of fresh 

 water, little disturbance, ease, shelter, and repose ; travel is to 

 be avoided, and any harassing occurrences. Calves being 

 reared must have au a ; pie supply of food to forward a regu- 

 larly progressive condition, and to produce a fattening from 

 youth upwards. Of the ultimate perfection the foundation is 

 laid in the first year, and very especially in the change from 



milk to vegetable food. The latter must be early and gradually 

 introduced into the calf pens, the most tender and delicate kinds 

 being selected for the purpose, and the milk withdrawn as the 

 age increases and advances the use of the green meat. The 

 use of a yard with the pens allows the green food to be largely 

 used, aud a separation of the calves into older and younger 

 divisions, which further permits the assortment of the food to 

 be consumed. The juxtaposition of similar purposes ofu;e 

 very much facilitates the performance, and no labour is in- 

 curred beyond the bare necessity of the act. Distant positions 

 create much unnecessary labour, and a traflic of annoyance to 

 other purposes. The pasture field adjoining the cow-shed, the 

 travel is short betweea the accommodations : the calf-pens 

 opening into the cow-shed, the access is short and convenient ; 

 and a door from each houte opening into a yard, affords a retreat 

 for the cows and calves, the warmest that can be obtained. 

 The green food is brought into the yard and placed in sacks, 

 and an end door of the gable of the shed opecs into the feeders' 

 walk, and permits any food being given to the cows. In this 

 way the cow-shed and pens, with the two yards, form a separate 

 and independent employment, without giving or receiving an- 

 noyance iu any other department of business. The arrange- 

 ment ia simple, and incurs no extra cost, and answers one chief 

 object of the cultivation of land, if not the foundation of the 

 whole business — butchers' meat proceeds from it, and ma- 

 nure, wi'hout which vegetable food could not be grown, or its 

 production maintained. Hence the twofold value of the ani- 

 mal economy. J. D. 



ON THE MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING EWES. 



KINGSCOTE AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 



The Kingscote Association, formed a little more than 

 twelve months since, is supported by Sir M.F. P. Berkeley. 

 R. S. Holford, Esq., M.P., T. H. S. S, Estcourt, Esq,, 

 M.P., J. Rolt, Esq., M.P., Col. Kingscote, Col. Nigel 

 Kingscote, C.B., M.P., and many other leading gentlemen, 

 as also by most of the agriculturists of the neigtibourhood. 

 It has for its object the promotion of improved agricultural 

 practice among its members by monthly discussional 

 meetings; as well as the encouragement of skill, industry, 

 self-improvement, and good conduct among their servants 

 and labourers by rewards from its funds. The meeting for 

 the present month was held at Hunter's Ilall (the usual 

 place of meeting), on Tuesday evening, the loth Januarj', 

 Mr. F. Burnett (the President) in the chair. Mr. Drew, 

 the honorary Secretary, then read the following paper On 

 the management of breeding ewes : — 



" There is scarcely a branch of our business more deser- 

 ving our attention than the one I am about to lay before 

 you for consideration and discussion this evening, viz., the 

 management of breeding ewes ; the success and well-being 

 of the whole ilock depending in a great measure on the 

 proper treatment of the ewe portion. It is also a subject 

 in which all classes of the community are concerned and in- 

 terested ; as, of all our domesticated animals, none are more 

 serviceable to man, their flesh yielding a most wholesome 

 and nutritious food ; their fleece, too, forms a very important 

 and extensive article of commerce, supplying our artizans 

 with a commodity which, when manufactured, is not to be 

 equalled for service and comfort in clothing man's frail 

 body. Again, what an amount of legal evidence is recorded 



on their .skins ! every part, in fact, I may say. Is converted 

 to some useful purpose. But to the agriculturist they are 

 an indispensable requisite ; and particularly so to those 

 farming light arable soils, no other animal making so good 

 a return for the quantity and quality' of food consumed, 

 whilst at the same time they arc the means of consolidating 

 the land by kneading it with their feet, with that efficiency 

 that no mechanical means yet devised can accomplish. This, 

 and ti\eir emicliing manure, constitute the foundation of 

 improved and remunerative farming. In offering ray 

 remarks on their management, I fear I shall be able to put 

 before you little what most of you are already acquainted 

 with. I trust, however, bj- calling your attention to the 

 difierent heads of treatment, according to the season of the 

 year, each individual may be led to state his opinion and 

 practical experience on the same to such an extent that will 

 fully make up my deficiency. The acquiring and maintain- 

 ing a Hock of ewes in good and uniform condition aud cha- 

 racter requires a vast amount of judgment and perseverance, 

 combined with care and attention ; judgment in selecting 

 that breeder description which will give the greatest return, 

 taking into consideration the soil and situation where they 

 aro to be kept, also in choosing male animals that will 

 rectify and improve the imperfections of the ewes ; care and 

 attention are also necessary in drawing the ewes to that ram 

 which appears most calculated to correct their faults, per- 

 severing in tliii course till they become of one uniform cha- 

 rscter; that is, not resting'satislicd before you obtain them 

 as near alike as possible as regards symmetry, description of 

 wool, and general appearance, it being well known that an 



