TREATMENT OF BREEDING COWS. 251 



cow. should give milk from the birth of one calf to that of 

 another. It is too heavy a draft on her physical powers, and a 

 period of six weeks to three months' rest from milking is neces- 

 sary, when the breeding of choice animals is an object. Some 

 cows, we know, will yield their milk naturally from the birth of 

 one calf to that of another, but it wears on them, and an abund- 

 ance of the best food is necessary to keep them up through so 

 exhausting a process. 



A cow cannot well perform two such important duties at a 

 time, as to give a profitable yield of milk, and mature, in the last 

 stages of growth, a healthy, well developed foetus. The milk 

 must be drawn at the expense of the coming calf. When the 

 calf is of no importance, and milk the only thing wanted in the 

 cow, her flow of it may be continued, by stimulating food, up to 

 six weeks, or even a shorter time, of her period of bringing forth, 

 but in any event, some time should be allowed her for rest. As 

 the birth of the calf approaches, she should be kept quiet, have 

 gentle exercise, and be carefully looked after daily. Her udder, 

 for a few days in advance, should be watched and examined, 

 that it be not "caked" or inflamed, or secrete more milk than 

 may be retained in a healthy condition. Some young cows or 

 heifers secrete milk in such quantity, in advance, that it is neces- 

 sary to draw it from them for some days before calving, to 

 prevent the udder from spoiling by inflammation. When parturi- 

 tion is immediately expected, she should, according to the season, 

 be confined in a loose box stall in the stable, or under a shed, or 

 in a small outside enclosure, where she may be readily seen and 

 attended to in case of accident or difficulty, as such are liable to 

 occur frequently with heifers in their first calf, and sometimes 

 afterwards. The chances of difficulty are certainly worth the 

 little extra attention required. The immediate duties attending 

 parturition will be hereafter noticed under the proper head. 

 That process once completed, the udder should be thoroughly 



