506 Cultivation of Grafs-Land. Weaning of Calves IVhat ncaeffary i:t. 



ed then rake one ounce of linfeed-oil cake, finely pulverized, and with the 

 hand let it fall gradually, in very fmall quantities, into the milk,ftirring if, in the 

 mean time, with a fpoon or ladle, until it be thoroughly incorporated ; then let 

 the mixture be put into the other part of the milk, and the whole be made nearly 

 an warm as new milk when it is firft taken from the cow.&quot; In this ftate it is 

 fit for ufe. &quot; After a time the quantity of oil-cake powder may be increafed.&quot; 

 This mould be done as occafion may require, and as the calves become inured to 

 the flavour of fuch food. 



Mr. Crook has been in the habit of weaning calves with fuccefs without any 

 milk, by making a jelly of one quart of linfeed boiled ten minutes in fix quarts 

 of water, which jelly is afterwards mixed with a fmall quantity of the bell hay- 

 tea. 



It feems not improbable, from the trials which we have made, that potatoe-meal 

 may be ufed this way with benefit, as it mixes well with either milk, water, or 

 weak broth, and is highly nutritious. By this means the great expenfe of oats,, 

 meal, and other fimilar fubftances may be avoided. There are many other fub- 

 ilances that might prove ufeful in this intention, if proper trials were made with, 

 them. 



In regard to the period of caftrating or gelding the calves, it is probably the 

 beft to perform the operation pretty foon after the calves have been dropped, as 

 there will be lefs danger from bleeding, and of their taking on too much inflam 

 mation, at that period than afterwards, when they have attained a greater degree of 

 health and vigour. Some advife three weeks or a month, but a week or a fort 

 night at moft is perhaps much better. In the male calves, the cutter, when ex 

 pert, after dividing the fcrotum, or bag, and feparating the tefticles, draws out 

 the fpenr.atic veffels, by introducing his fore- finger and thumb. It is probable 

 however, that fimple excifionmay be equally effectual, and muft always be lefs 

 hazardous. Thtfpayiagof the female calves, which is frequently performed, is 

 an operation of great nicety, and requires more dexterity in its management. 

 Such calves as have been fpayed are found from experience to be more quiet in 

 the paftures, and afterwards to fatten more expeditioufly. 



Much care and attention is neceffary, efpecially in the more early weaned calves^ 

 to keep them perfectly dry and warm, as their thriving will in a great meafure 

 depend upon this being effectually done. The fubftances, of whatever kind they 



