OF THE MANAGEMENT OF COWS 



BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER 



CALVING. 



Breeding is an important process in the animal eco- 

 nomy ; and in most of the domestic animals it is en- 

 couraged by mankind as a source of profit. To none 

 can this remark be more applicable than to the cow ; 

 for not only does she produce an offspring whose worth 

 is a matter of consequence ; but she also continues to 

 enrich her keeper by abundantly yielding her rich lac- 

 tiferous store — converted by his interest from being the 

 source of nourishment to her progeny into a source ot 

 profit to himself. 



This same feeling, of making the most of the ani- 

 mals in his possession, oflen urges the inconsiderate 

 owner to attempt to outstrip, or rather, to force nature ; 

 but the attempt in such case recoils on himself — for in- 

 stead of obtaining' the daily golden egg, he too oflen 

 finds his premature haste has destroyed his bird, eggs 

 and all. 



These remarks apply with greatest force to those 

 inconsiderate persons who, anxious to anticipate their 

 most sanguine hopes, injure their stock by putting their 

 heifers prematurely to breed, and who, did they but 

 endure another season of necessary delay, would give 

 time for nature to perfect her work of maturity, and 

 ensure a healthy offspring; but those persons, by an 

 injurious and injudicious haste, destroy the stamina of 



