368 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



with the milk, because corn and other starchy foods should be 

 thoroughly masticated and mixed with the saliva of the mouth 

 to be well digested. No more grain should be fed at each meal 

 than the calf will eat promptly and with a relish. Feed all the 

 hay that the calf will eat at all times. When the calf is very 

 young, timothy or prairie hay is better than alfalfa, clover, or 

 cowpea hay, but later the legumes may be profitably fed. 

 During the pasturing season, good grass is highly important. 



FIG. 183. Homemade stanchions for feeding-calves 



A clean, sunny stall or pen must be provided for the young 

 calf (Fig. 183). Calves that are not separated, by tying or in 

 stalls, at feeding time annoy one another by sucking their ears, 

 and during the cold weather the ears are often frozen after they 

 are wet in this manner. 



483. The dairy barn. A cow will not do her best unless she 

 is comfortable. The barn does not need to be expensive to be 

 comfortable. It must provide a comfortable tie, a substantial floor 

 that can be kept clean, plenty of fresh air and sunlight, and it 

 should be warm enough for comfort in severe weather. In 

 agreeable weather the cows should not be kept in the barn. 



