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Prevention of Tuberculosis by Open-air 

 Treatment. 



BY DOUGLAS A. GILCHRIST. 



As tuberculosis gives so much, trouble in our herds of milch 

 cows, a method of rearing calves so as to keep them clear of 

 this disease is of great importance. The successful results 

 obtained by Mr. A. F. Nichol, Bradford, near Belford, in this 

 connection are therefore of great importance. 



Mr. Nichol has probably been one of the largest breeders of 

 pedigree shorthorns in England for export, and as it is required 

 that cattle before entering many countries must have passed 

 the tuberculin test, the desirability of their being free from 

 tuberculosis is apparent. 



Mr. Nichol'fl farms extend to nearly 1,000 acres. His herd 

 of pedigree shorthorns now numbers about 100, including 

 calves. The calving of his cows is so arranged that lots of 

 from T to 8 calve about the same time. When near calving 

 they are brought in to one of the open folds near the home- 

 stead, where they calve. These folds are about 30 yards long 

 by 20 yards wide. A narrow part along the north, east, and 

 west sides is covered with a roof, and there is a back but no 

 front wall. After calving, the cows and calves have the run 

 of a pasture field and the shelter of an open fold when neces- 

 sary. They remain on the pasture till October or November. 

 The calves are then weaned and divided into lots, bulls and 

 heifers being now kept separate. These lots are kept in open 

 folds, where they are wintered. They receive during the winter 

 some linseed cake, hay, and turnips cut into fingers, and as 

 much oat straw as they will eat. In these open folds the calves 



