FARM ANIMALS 103 



the size and capacity of the calf. It is absolutely 

 necessary that attention be given to the milk during 

 all this time to prevent it from becoming unclean 

 or sour in the slightest degree, since, otherwise, 

 scouring may take place and the calf will be consid- 

 erably checked in its growth. In order to ; prevent 

 the slightest scouring taking place, considerable 

 benefit has been found in the use of lime water, rye 

 bran or wheat bran each of which has a somewhat 

 constipating effect. In order to obtain the best 

 possible growth in calves, it is desirable to give 

 them a liberal milk ration until they reach the age 

 of five months. The milk feeding may then be 

 stopped and the grain and forage ration increased. 

 It is desirable from the age of two or three weeks 

 that calves be taught to eat grain. They may be 

 taught to eat ground grain or meal by placing a 

 small handful in their mouth, beginning at the 

 age of two weeks. They soon learn to eat the 

 grain and look forward to this portion of the ration 

 with considerable relish. A large variety of sub- 

 stances have been fed to calves as substitutes for 

 cream. The actual materials selected in each 

 case will depend upon the relative prices of these 

 grains or other feeding stuffs, and the convenience 

 with which they may be obtained. It has been 

 found that young calves will make a gain of three 

 pounds per day on a ration of fourteen quarts of 

 milk to which six eggs are added. Cod liver oil 

 has been extensively used as a cream substitute, 

 two ounces being added to each three gallons of 

 milk. Cod liver oil is easily fed and is relished 

 by calves and, under ordinary conditions, pro- 

 duces a rapid gain at a reasonable cost. In Ire- 

 land it has been found that calves may be raised 

 more cheaply on skim milk, corn meal, and cod 



