964 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Tart III. 



calves surpass all others as suckiers, whether for quickness of proof, or beauty of the 

 veal ; they are not, however, to be procured, but in or near their own country. 



6168. The method most commonly employed in fattening calves is, to allow them to 

 suck ; as by this method the object is probably not only sooner, but more effectually at- 

 tained than by any other means. The period which is necessary for fattening calves 

 in this way must be different, according to circumstances, but it is generally from seven 

 to nine weeks ; however, in the dairy districts, where milk is considered a valuable article, 

 scarcely half that time is allowed. There is another method, which is, to give them the 

 milk to drink ; and when that is done, it is given them morning and evening warm from 

 the cow, and the quantity increased according to their age and strength. In whatever 

 way they may be managed, they should be kept in pens in a close-house, and well lit- 

 tered. The author of the Synopsis of Husbandry observes, that as it is necessary that the 

 calves should lie. always quiet, in order that they may indulge in sleep at those times 

 when they are not employed in sucking ; it seems proper that the cow-house should be 

 situated in the most retired part of the yard, and that the pens should be kept as dark as 

 possible. But notwithstanding this caution, the calves should by no means be suffered 

 to lie too hot in the summer time, which would be apt to produce a sickness amongst 

 them. To admit, therefore, an occasional draught of fresh air, let a window be cut in 

 each pen, with shutters adapted to the same, and let these windows be opened whenever 

 the closeness of the atmosphere indicates it to be necessary. In the summer season, they 

 should rarely, if ever, be closely shut ; and when it is required, the stream of air may be 

 increased by opening the cow-house door at the opposite end of the building. Each calf 

 should have a collar round his neck, with which the attendant may direct him in his suck- 

 ling, but should never be fastened up in the pen. It is necessary that the pens be kept 

 constantly well littered with the cleanest wheat-straw, a pr:oportion of which should be 

 thrown into them every day ; cleanliness being a most essential article in the fattening of 

 every animal, and not more necessary to any than the calf, which, but for this precaution, 

 would in a short time demonstrate the ill effects of lying on his accumulated dung, which 

 of all other animals is the most offensive, and of a quality highly septic. As the calves 

 are yeaned, they are to be taken into the pens, and suckled on their own dams, which, at 

 first, will yield a far greater quantity of milk than is necessary for their offspring, so that 

 another calf may be suckled thereon ; or the cow may be milked, and the cream be reserved 

 for butter, or applied to any other use that the owner may think proper. As the calf 

 increases in size, it will require a larger quantity of milk : but whilst calves are young, 

 one good cow will yield a noble supply for two ; and when the whole produce is de- 

 manded for one calf, another new milch cow should be provided, and these two cows 

 will abundantly supply the three calves with milk till the oldest is fit for the butcher ; 

 after which, if necessary, a fresh suckler may be brought in, and the business be carried 

 on progressively by keeping the house constantly supplied with calves, so that the whole 

 milk may be sucked, as the fattening of calves by suckling and the dairy cannot be 

 conveniently united. 



6169. Young calves, when permitted to suck their fill, are often seized with a lax or 

 scouring. To prevent which, the calves for the first fortnight or three weeks may be 

 stinted in their allowance ; and at the same time due regard should be taken that they 

 do not pine or decrease in flesh for want of milk. But after this age they should be al- 

 lowed to suck as long as they choose, and every means ought to be made use of to 

 increase their appetite, and render them more eager after their food. Chalk may be 

 given for this purpose, as well as for giving to the flesh a delicate whiteness. An excel- 

 lent astringent remedy has been already given. (5883.) Salt sprinkled in the trough 

 will likewise act as a stimulus to the appetite ; besides which, it is a common prac- 

 tice with some people to cram their calves with balls compounded of flour, pounded 

 chalk, and milk, with the addition of a small quantity of common gin. Of these balls 

 they give two, about the size of a walnut, once a-day, or oftener, to each calf. These 

 l)alls being very nutritioiis, in some degree supply the place of milk, and at the same 

 time the spirituous mixture operates on the creatures as a soporific, and thus, by com- 

 posing them to sleep, increases their disposition to fatten : but where milk tan be had in 

 suflScient abundance, it is never worth while to have recourse to these factitious aids. 

 When the demands of the calf, however, are beyorid the ability of the cow, these balls 

 come seasonabry to,th(ar relief. In order that the calves may be provided with suflficient 

 store of milk, the pajtures should still be changed, whenever the cows are found to be 

 delicient in this particular : and in the winter-time, such food as is of a succulent nature, 

 as grains, turnips, &c. should be always at hand to supply the want of grass : and these, 

 with a due allowance of the sweetest hay, should be their constant aliment during the 

 time that the cows are confined to the yard. 



6170. The prices of suckling calves vary according to the goodness of the young animal, and the time of 

 year wherein the purchase is made. In general, suckiers fetch the largest price in summer, when veal 

 sells the cheapest ; and the reason of this arises from the smaller number to be met with at that time than 



