390 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [10 July, 1916. 



mammitis. The sickness may be a serious disease, and the calf becomes 

 affected. Considering the prevalence of tuberculosis in some of the 

 main dairying districts, the danger of feeding milk from tubercular cows 

 presents a continual menace; such being the case, the skim milk needs 

 boiling or heating to 180 degrees Fahrenheit to kill the germs of the 

 disease. The mere fact of cattle showing pronounced signs, or suc- 

 cumbing to tuberculosis at under two^ years of age, is convincing proof 

 that the disease was contracted when in the calf stage. Steam should 

 be used in all dairies, and not much extra expense is required to enable 

 the fixing of a steam pipe to heat the milk. During the warm weather, 

 the boiling prevents the milk from souring. 



Many farmers who are strictly clean in ordinary daily routine work, 

 are plainly neglectful with the calves — dirty drinking vessels and filthy 

 calf pens are the surest causes of failures in calf rearing. Calves would 

 be better exposed to all rigors of climatic changes than confined in 

 unhealthy pens. Calf pens need impervious floors, and raised wooden 

 platforms supplied with plenty of bedding. To allow the calves to 

 camp on an accumulated mass of semi-decomposed manure, is courting 

 disaster, and one of the surest ways of inviting pneumonia. The pens 

 should be erected on well-drained ground, and face the morning sun, 

 and be so constructed as to permit of the drafting of the calves accord- 

 ing to their ages. The sheds should be limewashed, and the drains and 

 floors well sprinkled with lime — it adds to the appearance, and helps to 

 preserve healthy conditions. 



One of the healthiest methods of rearing is to erect a grass hay-stack 

 in the calf paddock, and allow the calves to have access to it; they can 

 eat at will, and always have the benefit of a sheltered side. 



For the calves of advanced age, a small water-trough is needed in 

 their enclosure. When very large troughs are used, the water becomes 

 stale, unless emptied frequently. 



Calves are often the victims of foolish pranks by children who are 

 ignorant of the damage they are doing. When calves have been 

 frightened and ill-used, they always are in fear, and never develop into 

 the leisurely, good-tempered animal so much desired. Do not allow 

 horses to run in the same paddock, as they frequently kick calves, who 

 will persist in getting in the way. 



The calf pens should be at a distance from the main dairying build- 

 ing, the bleating of the young animals agitate the newly-calved cows, 

 and the jiresence of either cne is detrimental to the well-being of the 

 other. 



By feeding the calves at regulated intervals, their organs of digestion 

 become accustomed to their work. Dairy calve® are generally fed twice 

 daily; this should be early in the morning and late in the evening, to 

 more evenly regulate the period elapsing between the meals. Calves 

 are creatures of habit, and pay well for a definite system of treatment. 



When the young calf is two or three weeks old, it begins to eat hay, 

 at first only a straw at a time, but the longing increases very quickly, 

 and if fine hay is supplied, either luceime, clover, or meadow, the calf 

 does well on it, and suffers less from scours. The hay should be fed 

 in small racks in a sheltered position. 



Once the feeding has commenced, any ordinary farm hay or grain 

 may be utilized. Use only small mangers or troughs, and do not allow 

 any stale food to remain. 



