XEAT OR HORftED CATTLE. 285 



an impediment to thrift in both. If there be any deficiency 

 of suitable pasture for the calf, a small rack and trough 

 should be placed under the shed in his range, and fine hay put 

 in the former, and wheat bran or oat meal with a little salt, in 

 the latter. It is also well to have resin within its reach, and 

 if inclined to scour, add a little rennet to its food ; if costive, 

 administer pork broth. For disordered bowels, mix 2 dr. 

 rhubarb, 2 oz. castor oil, and $ dr. ginger, with a little warm 

 milk or gruel ; or give 2 oz. castor oil alone, or three oz, 

 of Epsom salts. A homely remedy for scours, is to adminis- 

 ter half a pint of cider, and as much blood taken from the 

 calf s neck. Calves, like all young stock, should be allowed 

 to change their feed gradually, from new milk to skimmed, 

 or from the latter to other food. Their stomachs are delicate* 

 and need gentle, moderate changes, when necessary to make 

 them at all. Much depends on the care and attention they 

 receive. A comfortable shelter, with a dry, warm bed, suit- 

 able food, regularly given three times a day at blood heat, 

 and keeping the stomach in proper order, will do much 

 to bring them forward rapidly, and with a small expenditure 

 of food. The calf requires to be supplied through the winter 

 with an abundance of fine, sweet hay and roots, the latter 

 either chopped or mashed by a roller, with the addition of a 

 trifle of meal or oats, and a full supply of salt and pure water. 

 When there are larger animals on the premises, the calves 

 ought to be kept by themselves. They should be sustained 

 on their winter feed the following spring, until the grass fur- 

 nishes a good bite on a well-compacted sod. The change 

 from hay to grass must be gradual, unless the latter is consi- 

 derably matured. The extreme relaxation of the bowels from 

 the sudden change, frequently produces excessive purging. 

 A slight and temporary relax from the early spring grass, is 

 not objectionable. 



BKKEDINO. The young animals should never be put to 

 breeding under 15 months old, so as to bring their first calf 

 at two years old ; nor then, unless they have large size and 

 good feed. Much depends on the progress towards maturity, 

 and the supply of food in selecting the proper time for breed- 

 ing. Some are as ready for this at a year and a half, as others 

 are at three. Early breeding gives delicacy and symmetry 

 to the form of the heifer, but it checks its growth, and when 

 it is found to put her back too much, she may be allowed to 

 rest for a few months, or even a year, to bring her up to the 

 desired standard. These remarks apply principally to choice 



