S7S HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



highly as it advances. It should be kept growing thriftily, 

 without n-etting too fat. Both extremes are to be avoided. At 

 the same time the utmost gentleness should be observed at all 

 times. Persevering kindness will overcome the most obstinate 

 natures. The disposition of the cow is greatly modified, if not 

 indeed wholly formed, by her treatment while young. Calves, 

 therefore, should be handled frequently, led by a halter, ca- 

 ressed, and made into pets. They will almost invariably beGi>me 

 docile, and suffer themselves to be approached and handled in 

 the pasture and the barn ; and it is the quiet temperament and 

 confidence acquired by this course of treatment that constitutes 

 one of the most important characteristics of the good dairy cow. 

 With respect to hay tea, often used in this country as a par- 

 tial substitute for milk after the calf is several days old, it is 

 prepared by making an infusion from the best and sweetest 

 hay, cut by a chaff or straw cutter into pieces about two inches 

 long and put into a kettle and boiling water poured over it, 

 when ii is allowed to stand two hours, carefully covered. After 

 the first week of the creature's life, the proportions of the pure 

 milk of its dam and hay tea may be equal. After the third or 

 fourth week, two thirds of hay tea and one third of milk ;. and 

 a few days after, three quarters hay tea and one quarter milk. 

 It should be given at least three or four times a day, at the rate 

 of about three quarts at each meal, to be gradually increased to 

 fjur quarts as the calf grows older. This diet should be con- 

 tinued till the age of ten or twelve weeks, when each meal may 

 l)e reduced to less than a^quarfof milk with hay water — or 

 skimmed milk or buttermilk may be substituted. At this age 

 the animal will soon be able to take care of itself. It is im- 

 portant that the hay tea should be made fresh at least every two 

 days, as it will lose its nutritious quality if kept too long. This 

 •jourse is adopted not as being better than milk, but simply as a 



