THE JERSEY, ALDERNEY AND GUERNSEY COW. II3 



are milked, after which each receives about three-fourths 

 of a bushel of roots and a little hay ; they are then left 

 until eight o'clock, when a bundle of straw is given to 

 each one. The following morning they are attended to 

 at six o'clock, or even before that hour; having been 

 milked, they again receive the same allowance of roots 

 and hay as before mentioned, and at nine o'clock are 

 turned out, if fine, in some sheltered field or orchard ; 

 then the stables are cleaned out, and the bedding re- 

 newed if required. Cows are dried one month or six 

 weeks before calving ; bran mashes are given to them 

 about the time of parturition, and continued for a fort- 

 night after the calf is born : at no other time do they 

 receive this food. Bull calves intended for the butcher 

 receive the cow's milk for about a month or six weeks, 

 then they are considered fit for sale. A good calf will 

 sell for about fifty shillings, some for more, but many 

 for less. If the calf be a heifer, she is always reared 

 and kept in the island until she is two years old ; when, 

 if not required, she is sold for exportation. Returning 

 to the cow : two weeks or so after calvinof if the 



o' 



weather be very fine, she is turned out to grass in the 

 day-time : it is the custom in all the Channel Islands to 

 tether cattle ; the tethers are made of small chain ; a 

 spike about one foot long is attached at one end and 

 driven into the ground; the other end is tied to the 

 cow's halter, the latter being made fast at the base of 

 her horns ; the lencrth of these tethers is altoo^ether 

 about four yards. During the day, cattle are frequently 



15 



