Cultivation bf Grafs- Land. ircanittgqf Calces. Methods qf/ofave J////.-.503 



It is not abfolutcly neceflary to continue the giving of milk after the calves are a 

 month or fix weeks old ; but they are certainly the better for it when it can be 

 done. 



From the inc rearing fcarcity of milk, great attention has lately been beftowed in 

 difcoverin g fubftitutes that may anfwer thepurpofe without that valuable food, as 

 by filth means a greater number of calves might be reared ; which would be of vafl 

 importance to the farmer, as well as in other points ot view. Various experiments 

 have been inftituted in this intention, but without any very complete fuccefs. It 

 has been ad vi fed by Mr. Varlo to have recourfe to a llrong infufionof hay, made 

 by pouring boiling water on good frefh hay, covering the veirel up clofely during 

 the operation, and letting it remain till the virtues are fully extracted ; with the 

 proportion of one pint of oatmeal, the fame quantity of flax feed, and a quart of 

 fkimmed milk ; the flax feed being bruifed and put in with the hay, and the meal 

 and milk added afterwards to the clear infuficn.* In this way, it is contended that 

 abufhel of flax-fcedj worth about three millings, will be fufficient for rearing two 

 calves. A iimilar method has been attended with fuccefs for young calvesthat have 

 been kept with milk in Lincolnfhire ; but in this cafe the bruifed flax-feed is boiled 

 to a kind of jelly of light confidence, which, after being fufficiently diluted with 

 warm water, is then rendered of the thicknefs of cream by barley meal being ftir- 

 red in. When a great number of calves are to be reared, and the fupply of milk 

 is inadequate, by being ufed in combination with this composition it may be made 

 to fupport nearly twice the number of calves.f The advantage that may be de 

 rived in this way has not however been fully ascertained by accurate experi 

 ments. A method recommended by the Duke of Northumberland was found to 

 fucceed well in his trials, and thofe of others fince. It is by preparing fkimmed 

 milk with other ingredients, fo as to anfwer thepurpofe where new milk is given, 

 at about one-third the expenfe. The fubftances that are made ufe of are treacle 

 and linfeed-oil cake, reduced by the operation of grinding to the ftateof almoft 

 an impalpable powder : being employed in fuch flight proportions as, exclufive 

 of the milk, to come to no more than about lixpence for thirty-two gallons. The 

 manner of preparing it is this : &quot; Take one gallon of Hummed milk, and to about 

 a pint of it add half an ounce of cpmmon treacle, ftirring it until it is well mix- 



* New Sjftem of Husbandry, vol III. / - i Annals of Agriculture, vol. XXIII, 

 VOL. II. -3 T 



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