606 BREEDING CATTLK. 



feed while running dry, in order to promote the growth of the 

 fetus within her and to better prepare her for the labor of partu- 

 rition, as well as the sustenance of the coining calf and a good flow 

 of milk afterward. No cow should give milk from the birth of one 

 calf to that of another. It is too heavy a draft on her physical 

 powers, and a period of six weeks to two months' rest from milk- 

 ing is necessary when the breeding of choice animals is an object. 

 Some cows, we know, will yield their milk naturally from the birth 

 of one calf to that of another; but it wears on them, and an 

 abundance of the best food is necessary to keep them through so 

 exhausting a process. A cow cannot well perform two such im- 

 portant duties at a time as to give a profitable flow of milk and 

 mature, in the last stages of growth, a healthy, well-developed fetus. 

 At that time, milk must be drawn at the expense of the coming 

 calf. Of course this is not of so much importance when only the 

 milk is looked to, but even then there must be a period of at least 

 six weeks' rest. As the birth of the calf approaches she should be 

 kept quiet, have gentle exercise, and be looked after carefully daily. 

 Her udder a few days in advance should be watched and examined 

 that it is not " caked " or inflamed, or secrete more milk than may 

 be retained in a healthy condition. Some young heifers will secrete 

 milk in advance for some days, in such quantities as to render it 

 necessary to draw it from them to prevent the udder from spoiling 

 with inflammation. When parturition is immediately expected, 

 she should, according to the season, be confined in a loose box stall 

 in the stable or under a shed, or in a small outside enclosure, where 

 she may be readily seen and attended to in case of accident or diffi- 

 culty, such as are liable to occur frequently with heifers in their 

 first calf, and sometimes afterwards. When parturition is completed 

 the udder should be thoroughly drawn by the calf and the process 

 completed by the hand. 



Abortion, or Slinking The abortion of the fetus, is by 

 some called a disease, for the reason that, from whatever cause, it 

 seems to be spread by sympathy, and not infrequently large losses 

 are thus encountered. It is sometimes singularly frequent in par- 

 ticular districts or on particular farms, having the characteristics of 

 an epidemic. The cow is more subject to abortion than any other 

 animal. It takes place at different periods of pregnancy, from half 

 the usual time to the seventh or eighth month. The symptoms are: 

 The cow is somewhat off her feed; rumination ceases; she is listless 

 and dull; the milk diminishes or dries up; the motions of the fetus 

 become more feeble and at length cease ; there is a staggering walk ; 

 when she lies down she lies longer than usual, and when she stands 

 up she remains a longer time motionless. On the approach of 

 abortion (a symptom that rarely deceives), a yellow or red glairy 

 fluid runs from the vagina, and breathing becomes laborious or 

 convulsive. At length labor comes on and is attended with diffi- 

 culty or danger. The cause may be consumption, too high feeding, 



