CHAP. XIX.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 371 



rapid enlargement of it from the renewed 

 secretion of milk, and the evident dropping 

 of the belly, with a degree of uneasiness and 

 fidgetiness ; moaning occasionally, and acce- 

 lerated respiration ; all announcing that the 

 time of calving is not far off. Her uneasi- 

 ness will rapidly increase ; she will be con- 

 tinually getting up and lying down ; her 

 tail will become elevated, and the com- 

 mencement of the labour-pains will soon be 

 evident. 



When parturition is about to commence, its 

 progress should not be interfered with ; the 

 cow should be frequently looked at, but not 

 disturbed. Nor can it be too deeply im- 

 pressed on the mind of the attendant that the 

 common practice of driving the poor animal 

 about, to bring on the act of calving, is both 

 unnatural and cruel ; for, if left to herself, 

 " as soon as the hours of calving come on, 

 she immediately retires to some corner of the 

 field, or under a hedge, in order to prevent 

 the other cows, or anything else, coming near 

 that may disturb her in bringing forth her 

 young ; she confines herself to a lying posture, 

 and in this posture she is delivered of her 



2b2 



