CATTLE. 95 



eleven and a half months. Such instances are, however, exceedingly rare, and may be 

 regarded as a misfortune. A period of less than twenty-two months or two years of age is 

 not to be desired, and with slow maturing breeds a longer period is to be preferred. 



Drying off COWS. The length of time in which a cow should go dry before calving 

 will depend much upon her milking qualities. Those cows that produce a large amount will 

 generally hold out longer than those giving less, although there are some exceptions. 

 Some cows will give a very large yield for four or five months after calving, and then gradu 

 ally lessen the quantity until they are nearly dry, three or four months before dropping the 

 calf; others give a good quantity of milk up to nearly the time of calving, and a few will 

 yield it up to the very time. Usually cows will gradually diminish the quantity of milk 

 yield, and no especial efforts will be required to stop the flow. 



It is better for both the cow and her calf, as a general practice, that she should not be 

 milked for at least six weeks before calving, and many farmers prefer to have the time 

 extended to two months or more. The calf will be better developed and larger, and the 

 yield of milk will be greater the ensuing season and hold out better under such conditions, 

 than if the cow was milked up to the time of calving. 



There are occasional exceptions, however, and it sometimes happens that, in cases where 

 the milking qualities are very fully developed, it is difficult to dry a cow sufficiently to make 

 it judicious to cease milking her much before the time of calving. The quality of food 

 given at such times will largely influence the secretion of milk, and when the task of drying 

 the cow seems a difficult one, avoid feeding roots much for a time, or other food that has a 

 tendency to increase the flow of milk. In drying a cow the milk should be drawn at irreg 

 ular intervals. The practice with some is to take but a part of the milk at a time, but this 

 is not be recommended, since the milk that remains in the udder is liable to become thick, 

 and finally lead to inflammation and other serious consequences. The period between the 

 milkings should be gradually lengthened, never regular, until the object is accomplished; but 

 at each milking it should be thoroughly performed. After the cow is supposed to be dry, 

 the udder should be frequently examined, as milk will occasionally, under such circumstances, 

 be secreted in small quantities, and should be drawn. 



General Treatment of Breeding and Milch Cows. All breeding and milch 

 cows should be treated with the greatest kindness and gentleness. They should never be 

 hurried in driving, or jumped over fences or bars. They should never be worried by dogs, 

 or forced to approach anything that they regard with fear. Never pennit them to be 

 shouted at, or receive a blow for any cause. Be gentle with them always, and never allow a 

 man or boy on the farm who violates these rules. 



Unkind treatment will frequently cause a cow to withhold her milk, a habit that will 

 soon greatly injure her milking qualities, while harsh treatment to a pregnant cow will fre 

 quently cause abortion, which is a serious evil, for such results are very liable to recur 

 again. 



A cow in milk may be greatly injured, if not made valueless, by a thoughtless or cruel 

 herder, or brutal milker; hence the importance of observing the directions previously given. 

 It is found that cows are in heat once in about twenty days; hence, after being served, if the 

 heat does not recur in that length of time, it is to be presumed that she is pregnant; and 

 such, with rare exceptions, will be the case. Within three or four months, if she remain 

 quiet, proof of her pregnancy may be ascertained by gentle pressure of the hand on the right 

 flank. The beating of the foetal heart may also be noted at three to four months by placing 

 the ear close upon and touching the right flank. The udder also will have increased in size. 



The food should be sweet and nutritious, given often, and in sufficient quantities to 

 appease hunger. The main point in feeding is to keep the animal in a healthy and thrifty 



