276 THE GUERNSEY BREED 



be a better practice than an attempt to force the cow dry by 

 partial starvation or the use of feed stuffs unsuited for milk 

 production. Not only will the cow produce more heavily 

 when she again freshens, but the calf will be stronger and 

 more vigorous at birth. 



For the dry cow, feeds rich in protein and bone-forming 

 material are required. While feed stuffs rich in carbon will 

 produce as high a degree of flesh and at a lower cost than will 

 the proteins, yet the resulting feverish condition of the cow 

 and the weak condition of the calf make their use during this 

 time undesirable. The following mixture, in addition to hay 

 and silage, is advised : three parts wheat bran, two parts 

 ground oats, one part hominy meal or corn meal, one part oil 

 meal (old process) and three parts "Ajax" flakes or corn 3 D 

 grains. The use of gluten feeds is to be avoided at this time 

 on account of their tendency to cause udder troubles. Wher- 

 ever obtainable, fresh roots should form part of the daily ra- 

 tion. Failing to secure them, one may resort to beet pulp, 

 either fresh or the dried pulp soaked in water. The proper 

 use of either will overcome the tendency toward constipation 

 and fever natural to the dry cow, especially during the winter 

 season. Molasses is especially good for adding flesh rapidly 

 and also acts as a mild laxative. 



As soon as the cow's udder begins to show a feverish con- 

 dition, change the feed to two parts wheat bran, two parts 

 ground oats, and one part oil meal, and continue the use of 

 roots or dried beet pulp. No cow should receive over five 

 pounds daily of grain during the week preceding freshening. 

 If a tendency toward constipation exists, give daily a mod- 

 erate physic, using one and one-half to two pounds of glauber 

 salts to which one teaspoonful of hyposulphite of soda has 

 been added. 



It is assumed that a record of the service date has been 

 kept, and knowing the date of expected freshening the care- 

 taker should be on hand to render the cow any necessary aid. 

 A wrong presentation or an especially large calf will make 

 assistance necessary. In the case of prolonged labor or scant 

 secretion, inject into the vagina a pint of raw linseed oil. This 

 will be found a great aid toward quick delivery. 



During the first week following freshening continue the 

 use of the same feed mixture as advocated for the week pre- 

 ceding calving. To aid in an early expulsion of the placenta 

 the feed should be steamed for two hours before feeding and 

 slightly warmed water should be placed at her disposal. The 



