508 On the Management of Breeding Cattle. 



shown — as all who try will prove — that wholesome food and 

 warmth are true economy in the rearing and breeding of cattle. 



Heifers are usually put to the bull at two years old ; some- 

 times, but very rarely, before ; and this arrangement is found 

 most conducive to the fruitfulness of the animals. The bulls 

 used are fed on meal, either of barley or beans, or a mixture 

 of each, along with hay and turnips and a small quantity of 

 oil-cake, not exceeding 2 lbs. per day, as it is found that much 

 oil-cake is unfavourable to their usefulness ; but with gentle 

 exercise no difficulty has been found to arise with the bull 

 thus treated. Moderately fed, say on 4 lbs. of meal, half a 

 basket of cut turnips, a little hay, and the cake in the 

 quantity mentioned above, he thrives well without getting too 

 fat. Too much stress cannot be laid on his proper treatment in 

 this respect, otherwise serious loss and disappointment may 

 ensue. A mixture of food is proved by experience to suit 

 both sexes the best, and is found to produce both health and 

 fruitfulness. I have often felt surprised at the high condition 

 of some short-horns which have come under my own observation, 

 and which have nevertheless bred with regularity healthy 

 calves ; but 1 am of opinion that a medium condition is the 

 most successful. Exercise in the pens is also most beneficial 

 to the cow during pregnancy, and should be allowed whenever 

 possible. It is a most injurious practice to tie up breeding 

 animals : it prevents the proper circulation of the blood, and 

 causes disease or malformation ; and healthier and stronger 

 calves are dropped from cows which have not been tied up. 

 When the time approaches for calving the cow is removed 

 from the pen and put into a loose box: the instinct of the 

 animal is to seek retirement, and her feelings are consulted 

 in this respect ; and although a watchful eye is kept over 

 her whilst in labour, it is found imprudent to disturb her, 

 except to render that assistance at parturition which may be 

 necessary to ensure a speedy and safe deliverance. Formerly 

 great excitement prevailed when the " cow calved," and it is 

 not surprising that milk fever and other complaints succeeded 

 the bustle and excitement of that occasion. Under the present 

 treatment, however, except when some unnatural event arises 

 needing the assistance of the veterinary surgeon, it very seldom 

 happens that any loss ensues. 



The sympathy of a breeding herd is one of the most interest- 

 ing subjects for discussion. I have known instances of a whole 

 herd becoming " infected " with casting their calves, and serious 

 loss has followed for several years, scarcely any of the cows 

 going to the end of their time without this taking place. I 

 have always found the best remedy to be to remove any cow 



