TREATMENT OF BREEDING COWS. 221 



short-horn heifer, had one side of its face (the same side which 

 its dam in her fright, had thrown around to look at the bounding 

 black yearling,) and jaw, back on to her neck, colored the same 

 as the calf that caused the fright of its dam, the black hair run- 

 ning in a straight line from the middle of her skull down the face 

 to the center of her nose, half of which was also black. The fact 

 needed no further explanation. We reared the calf. She proved 

 a fine cow, and bred us several excellent calves, with no mark 

 of anything but a pure short-horn in them. "We have heard, 

 and seen accounts, of similar accidents in other herds, but differ- 

 ing in circumstances, and character. A cow may become so 

 infatuated with the presence of a male unable to copulate with 

 her, that when admitted to a proper bull, instead of resembling 

 him, the foetus takes the impression from the one to which the 

 cow had become familiar. She was merely passive, under the 

 action of the bull which begot and should have impressed his 

 own likeness on her calf. Such instances are not common, but 

 they are possible, and of sufficiently frequent occurrence as to 

 warn all good cattle breeders to be cautious of the associations 

 permitted with their cows. 



When the cow comes in heat, she should be allowed to see 

 the bull fully and deliberately when introduced to him, and apart 

 from the company of other cows. A single, or at most a once 

 repeated service is sufficient, and immediately after the service 

 she should be confined in her stall, or a small enclosure by her- 

 self, until her heat fully passes off. If she be let out immediately 

 with other cattle, they only tease, and worry her, to no good, 

 but frequently, positive injury. If the calf to be bred is of no 

 consequence, only to be made into veal, or destroyed soon after 

 birth, this pains with the cow need not be taken ; but when- 

 cattle of any considerable value are to be reared, the little extra 

 labor required should be cheerfully bestowed. 



