200 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



the twist full and deep, the bones small, and the ofFal light ; to these 

 points of shape, must be added the great essential of good handling, which 

 is the index of the propensity to fatten. A knowledge of handling can- 

 not be communicated by letter, and is acquired only by practice ; it con- 

 sists in a peculiar feel of the flesh under the skin. The skin should be 

 rather loose, and under it the flesh should feel rather soft, yet firm and 

 elastic ; when a beast has this particular handling, and has long soft silky 

 hair, it indicates the propensity to fatten. The animals must be screened 

 from the great variations of climate, avoiding extremes always — better in 

 open sheds with yards to them, than in entirely closed houses — not J;oo 

 many together, lest the stronger tyrannize over the weaker, preventing 

 them from obtaining their proper share of food and shelter. Four, selected 

 for agreeing together, are enough for one shed and yard. Shade in sum- 

 mer, and pure water, are most essential to their well being. Young animals 

 require the most care, their growth must not be checked — on the three first 

 years will success depend principally. I have bred Short-horns these 

 twenty years. My early calves, i. e., from December to February, suck 

 the cows for one fortnight. I then give skimmed milk and thick gruel 

 made from boiled linseed, in equal proportions, twice a day. As soon as 

 they are inclined to eat, I give them oil cake, carrots and hay. When three 

 months old I reduce the milk and linseed to once a day, and in three weeks 

 after discontinue it altogether, continuing the food until they are turned 

 out to grass. Then I give them two pounds of oil cake daily, which I con- 

 tinue in addition to their other food for twelve months, that is, till they go 

 to crass the following year ; in July and August of which year, they are 

 served by the bull, so that they will calve the year following, just before 

 going to grass, when they will be about two years and four months old. I 

 allow their calves to run with them during the summer — when four or five 

 months old I take the calves away and dry the dams, by which means the 

 heifers get a much larger rest than the older cows before they calve again, 

 thereby encouraging their growth, and under this system they can produce 

 calves at an early age without interfering with their full development of 

 their forms. 



I never give any artificial food to animals after they have completed 

 their growth, and not often after eighteen months old, up to which age I 

 consider it profitable to the breeder to give a moderate quantity of oil 

 cake, thereby increasing the size of the animal and the value of the manure. 

 My cows have grass alone during the summer ; late in autumn a little hay 

 at night and morning, and hay and roots when in milk, in winter ; the dry 

 cattle have pulped roots and straw-chaff" during that season. This is one 

 of the greatest improvcinerits of the present day. Formerly, when they 

 were fed on roots and straw, they ate too many of the former and not suffi- 

 cient of the latter. I have now several dry cows in excellent condition, 

 being fed on 45 lbs. of pulped Swedes and a bushel and an half of straw- 

 chaft', each, daily, and no other food whatever. My calves of last year, now 

 eleven to thirteen months old, are in a very thriving condition with 28 lbs. 



