HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. 231 



cording to the condition of the calf and cow, and the state of succeeding pregnancy. 

 After the first year we expect them to keep in good condition on grass alone ; many will 

 be ready for market at any time. 



"Our grain ration for young stock bulls and suckling cows is three parts of oats, 

 three of bran, three of corn and one of oil meal. This is varied very much, however, to 

 suit the animal and the season. We very seldom feed corn alone ; often feed oats alone. 

 Raise a few wurtzels to feed in winter as a change. Some corn-fodder is cut in early 

 September and fed, ears and all, during cold snaps, besides the regular hay diet of stock 

 cattle. Fine blue grass pastures are allowed to grow during the fall months, affording 

 much nutritious food for stock during the warm winter days, when there is no snow. 



" Such are about the methods now in use at Centre Grove Farm. Of course, some- 

 thing is learned each year to cause us to make some slight changes. When changes are 

 made, however, we hope they are for the better. 



" C. W. NORTON & SON, per OAK. " 



We should like to make a great many comments mostly favorable 

 on the above, but space forbids mention of more than the main points 

 suggested by the outline given. Our friend "Oak" is right there is 

 no doubt that the cows like to have him around at the "labor " period ; 

 kindness to the brute creation is never thrown away, and cows brought 

 up under such careful treatment as that pursued at Centre Grove Farm 

 always crave and appreciate the attention given. The practice of sepa- 

 rating the bull calves from the heifers at an early age should be em- 

 phasized and the hints on breeding cows and heifers will bear reading 

 twice. If they are breeding for both milk and beef, as noted, it is pre- 

 sumed that the calves are not allowed to do all the milking and at ir- 

 regular intervals, although it is not so stated otherwise we should think 

 the tendency would be more toward beef. 



Another point we may notice briefly is the practice of keeping the 

 bull entirely away from the cows except at time of immediate service. 

 There is no doubt that if mental condition at time of coupling has and 

 effect on the offspring that effect will be more strongly marked by such 

 practice. We have tried both plans, and while many are in favor of 

 permitting the cows and bulls to run at farthest in adjoining pastures, 

 we believe if separated at all the separation should be complete. The 

 only question that can be raised is one of disposition; it has been stated 

 that bulls kept in sight of cows will be more easily managed, but in our 

 own experience the reverse has been true, and we are pretty well satisfied 

 that to keep a bull in good temper, he must either run with the cows 

 and be handled with them, or be kept entirely separate except at time of 

 service. 



[On Saturday, September 21, 1889, Oak G. Norton died at his 

 home, after a short period of intense suffering, from inflammation of the 

 bowels. A young man's death is always sad, yet doubly so when he is 

 blessed with such abundant power for good as rested in our strong young 

 friend. Young as he was, his name was known throughout the West as 

 that of a rising breeder of more than usual public and private worth, 



