REARING CALVES. 197 



coming either from running springs or raised from wells by- 

 wind power, is indispensable. In Winter the stables are 

 kept clean, well littered, and ventilated. The time and man- 

 ner of feeding, the quantity of feed and exercise in open air 

 are all appointed and adhered to with scrupulous regu- 

 larity, and care taken not to over nor underfeed. Stock must 

 have an abundant supply of water fresh from the bottom of the 

 well, in the barn yard. Following these directions the most 

 satisfactory results are always produced. 



REARING CALVES. 



As the dairy stock needs replenishing from time to time 

 and as it is difficult to meet this want by purchasing cows, I 

 consider it quite an important item in the business to rear 

 calves to supply this need. I select the best calves from the 

 best cows. I take the calf from its mother when three or four 

 da3-s old and feed it all of her milk it will take up to one gallon 

 twice a day. When two Aveeks old it may, if thought desira- 

 ble, be fed partly on sweet skimmed milk, and if the calf is 

 large and hearty, the quantity may be increased, but it should 

 never have enough to prevent its coming to the next meal with 

 a good appetite. If this should happen, the omission of one 

 meal Avill usually remedy it. A little fine hay in Winter, or 

 fresh grass in Summer, should now be put within its reach. At 

 four weeks old a little sour milk or butter-milk may be added, 

 and the quantity gradually increased until, at six or seven 

 weeks, it may be put entirely upon that diet, with the hay or 

 grass. A handful of oats should now be placed before it, and 

 that grain also gradually increased as fast as it will eat it. 



Each calf should be loose in a pen by itself, with a good, 

 dry and comfortable shelter. Summer or Winter. If it is a 

 Winter calf, it may be turned out to pasture when the feed is 

 good in the Spring. If it is a Spring calf, it must not be turned 

 out until cool weather, and upon fresh Fall feed. At whatever 

 season calves come they should be fed and treated so that they 

 will make a steady growth from birth to maturity. Heifers of 

 good size may drop their first calves at two years old. I 



