114 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



From the fifteenth of October until the cattle are sheltered for the winter, the tops of vege 

 tables, such as carrots, beets, turnips, etc., are used together with cabbages. The food was 

 distributed in racks under cover in the barn regularly six times a day. Although feeding a 

 less number of times is practiced by many, there are strong arguments in favor of numerous 

 feedings. Less food will be given at a time, and it will always be fresh and in the best con 

 dition to be eaten. Like all other departments of farming, the system of soiling should be 

 adapted to the conditions under which it is to be practiced, since no one method could be 

 deyised to apply alike to all localities and circumstances. The cow pea makes an excellent 

 soiling crop is sections suited to its successful cultivation, while the same is true of alfalfa or 

 lucerne. In soiling, the food should be slightly salted about twice a week. 



HOW to Determine the Age of Cattle. Where cattle have horns, their age may 

 usually be determined by these; but in hornless breeds the marks indicated by the teeth are 

 the only means by which the age of the animal may be ascertained. Up to seven or eight 

 years, the ages of cattle may be told with considerable accuracy by the number of rings at 

 the roots of the horns. Steers, and heifers that are not breeding, show their first ring when 

 three years old. When heifers breed at two years, it is found that they generally show a 

 ring during that time, although there are some exceptions. The common rule for determin 

 ing the age of cattle is, therefore, the appearance of one ring at the base of the horns at three 

 years of age, two rings at four years, three at five, four at six, and five at seven, a ring being 

 added yearly after the third year up to seven years. 



As we advance beyond seven years, the rings become more or less distinct, and cannot be 

 relied upon with any certainty. The short horns of bulls seldom indicate age with as much 

 accuracy as those of oxen or cows. It not unfrequently happens that unprincipled dealers in 

 cattle, as in horses, sometimes erase the age marks in order to make the animal appear 

 younger than it really is. In cattle it is done by scraping off with a sharp knife one or more 

 rings from the horns. Youatt has given such a reliable and definite description of the 

 appearance of the teeth of cattle at different ages, that we extract it entire: 



&quot; The mouth of the new-born calf presents an uncertain appearance, depending on the 

 mother having exceeded, or fallen short of the average period of utero-gestation. Sometimes 

 there will be no vestige of teeth, but generally, either two central incisors will be protruding 

 through the gums, or they will have arisen and attained considerable bulk. 



At the expiration of the third week the animal will have six temporary incisors or front 

 teeth. 



At a month, the full number of incisors will have appeared. These are the temporary 

 or milk teeth. The enamel will be seen covering the whole of the crown of the tooth, but 

 not entering into its composition as in the horse, and it will be observed that the edge is 

 exceedingly sharp. The only indication of increasing age, will be the wearing down of these 

 sharp edges, and the appearance of the bony structure of the tooth beneath. The two corner 

 teeth will be scarcely up before the center teeth will be a little worn. 



At two months, the edge of the four central teeth will be evidently worn; yet, as the 

 wearing is not across the top of the tooth, but a little out of the line of its inner surface, the 

 edge will remain nearly or quite as sharp as before. 



At three months, the six central teeth, and at four months the whole set will be worn, 

 and the central ones most of all; but after the second or third month, the edge of the tooth 

 will begin to wear down, and there will be more of a. flat surface, with a broad line in the 

 center. 



About this time a new change will begin, but very slowly, to be sure. The central 

 teeth will not only be worn down on their edge, but the whole of the tooth will appear 

 diminished; a kind of absorption will have commenced. There will be a little, but increasing 

 space between them. The face of the tooth will likewise be altered, the inner edge will be 



