FEEDING OF GROWING ANIMALS 289 



also strengthened in this way, and other properties 

 which make the animal valuable for the purposes 

 for which it is being reared are fostered. If a 

 suitable pasture is not to be had, then shift must 

 be made with any place that will serve as a sort 

 of play-ground. 



(i) The feeding of calves. 



At first it will be enough to let the calves have 

 the colostrum (p. 219) from the mother, which 

 causes the removal of the pitch-like contents of the 

 intestines. After this whole milk is the chief food, 

 and if the calves are allowed to suck, the udder is 

 seldom completely emptied; there remains a por- 

 tion of the milk which many cows obstinately hold 

 back, and as they are not then milked dry the 

 yield diminishes. If the calves as soon as possible 

 after birth are fed by hand the above disadvantage 

 is avoided, and there is also the advantage of being 

 able to measure as much milk as is needed to each 

 calf, and also avoid the troubles of weaning. 

 Scrupulous cleanliness of the drinking vessels, 

 careful measurement of the quantity of milk, and 

 punctual feeding are absolute necessities if success 

 is to follow. 



The quantity of milk to be fed depends upon the 

 body weight and the purpose for which the calves 

 are intended. If they are later to be used for milk 

 production or for draught purposes they should 



