28 THE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



ing water ; then add 71b. of linseed cake, finely ground, which 

 is obtained by collecting the dust that falls through the screen 

 of the crusher, and passing it through one of Turner's mills ; 

 well stir the oilcake and water together, and add two gallons of 

 hay tea. The hay tea is made every morning by filling a small 

 tub with sweet hay, pouring on scalding water ; use this in the 

 evening ; add a sufficient quantity of scalding water to the hay 

 leaves, and cover down for next morning. The hay tea is very 

 sweet, dark in colour, and I think the extract from the different 

 herbs assists digestion. Again the mess is stirred, and 71b. of 

 mixed flour well worked in ; the mixture consists of one-third 

 wheat, one-third barley, and one-third beans ; add sufficient cold 

 water to fill the six-gallon bucket, and well stir. Two quarts of 

 this with two quarts of cold water will be sufficient for a calf at 

 a meal, and about the right temperature. The food should be 

 given at regular hours — say six in the morning and six at night. 

 Each bucket of gruel will be a meal for twelve or fifteen calves, 

 and costs about Is. 6d., or Sd. a day for each calf. We always 

 measure the food with a two-quart cup, and never overload 

 the stomach of young calves. After fifteen days, when the calf 

 chews the cud, some of the difficulty and danger is passed, and 

 when the calf eats well we gradually diminish the gruel." The 

 calves are tied up whilst being served, and Mr. Euck prefers the 

 old-fashioned plan of letting them suck through the cowman's 

 fingers, as this prevents bolting, and a proper quantity of air is 

 taken in, which assists digestion. As soon as they can eat, 

 crushed corn, sweet hay, and roots are placed within reach ; 

 vetches, as soon as ready, and mangolds, of which a supply 

 should always be stored if practicable. The calves live in a cool, 

 well- ventilated house, are kept very clean and quiet, supplied 

 with fresh water daily, and the manure frequently removed. The 

 addition of the decoction of hay is a very sensible practice, 

 supplying some, if not nearly all, the nutriment of good hay, 

 which the calf cannot otherwise obtain. Since the object of the 

 feeder should be to imitate nature as closely as possible, we would 

 suggest the introduction of a small quantity of sugar, just 

 sufficient to give the requisite sweetness of new milk. Sugar 

 plays an important part in the juvenile economy, and we find it 

 present to a large extent in milk. It will also take the place 



