CHAP. XX.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 391 



meat more easily, and likewise to eject her 

 dung in a more cleanly manner. Under the 

 standing of both the fore and hind feet a 

 broad fir-plank— a foot to a foot and a half 

 wide — is placed ; as any harder substance 

 might cause her to founder ; and the interme- 

 diate space in the floor is filled up with sand 

 which is gradually depressed towards the 

 middle, to receive the belly of the cow. 



Cow-keepers, for the sake of economy and 

 looking solely to profit, never allow straw 

 for the bedding of the cows, which are left to 

 rest either upon the bare earth, or upon 

 boards, which soon acquire an unpleasant 

 odour ; but those persons who only keep one 

 or two for family use, and cannot, it must be 

 supposed, be actuated by that motive, will no 

 doubt see the propriety of allowing a suf- 

 ficiency of litter to allow of the animal being 

 made comfortable ; for we may rest assured 

 that she is not insensible to the enjoyment of 

 a dry and soft resting place, the more par- 

 ticularly as she lies down frequently, for the 

 purpose of chewing the cud : though there is 

 no necessity for bedding her up so warmly as 

 a horse. 



