50G On the Management of Breeding Cattle. 



off" about September in each year. As experience shows that 

 cows are disposed to be quarrelsome, a small number are tied 

 by the head, being those used for dairy purposes. 



It is generally admitted that " short-horns " have less disposi- 

 tion to milk than to feed, which my experience has confirmed. 

 When, therefore, there is a deficiency of milk, the young calf is 

 taught to take its food from a crib, contrived for the purpose, 

 apart from its dam, but having at the same time free access to 

 her. To provide for uniformity in the rearing of calves, two 

 are allotted to one cow with a good udder, generally without 

 tlie help of artificial food, but always carefully arranging for the 

 supply to be made good if there be any deficiency. The herds- 

 man by observation and practice has then no difficulty in ma- 

 naging so that the whole of the stock is kept in a growing and 

 improving condition. It is amusing to observe the perfect 

 acquaintance which he has acquired by daily intercourse and 

 observation with each of the breeding stock. A love for his 

 work has made him perfectly contented and happy in possessing 

 a thorough knowledge of all under his care ; and, assisted through 

 the winter season by a stout lad, he feeds and attends to the 

 whole herd without further assistance except in extraordinary 

 cases, which will be mentioned in another place. 



Tiie advantage of the covered yards for the cattle cannot be 

 over estimated ; the health and comfort of the labourer are 

 likewise secured ; he is always dry and warm, and never 

 interrupted, as under the old system, by the rains and storms of 

 winter. Care is taken to have the straw, chaff", cut meat, meal, 

 oil-cake, and roots, always at hand, the shed accommodation 

 being such that there is ample room for all that may be 

 required ; and the routine of thrashing and cutting chop, once or 

 twice a week, finishing the day with grinding the corn to be 

 used, is found amply sufficient lor the purpose. The cattle are 

 kept clean in the pens witli a little straw bedding, and the 

 manure is left to accumulate until wanted, the liquid being 

 absorbed, and nothing wasted or lost, as is frequently the case 

 in the old farmyard or cow shed ; and by means of a cistern 

 and a ball-tap and trough to each pen a plentiful supply of 

 water is always available. 



The front of each crib is fitted up with a moveable manger, 

 to rise with the elevation of the ^manure, which frequently 

 attains to four or five feet ; and at the back of each crib, against 

 the wall, a straw rack is fixed, also moveable if required. 

 As the cattle trample over the mass of manure, it becomes con- 

 solidated and of the best quality, and when removed has the 

 appearance of a solid black uniform mass. No disagreeable 

 elHuvium arises from it, nor is there ever any heating, — visitors 



