CHAPTER XVHI 



THE CALF ANOTHER FOOTRACE 



IXPERIENCED farmers have all 

 united in an opinion that a cow should 

 go dry at least six weeks before the 

 calf comes. This serves a double pur- 

 pose. The cow gets a rest and a chance to re- 

 cuperate from the strain of giving a pint of milk 

 in a ten-quart pail twice a day, and the merry 

 farmer has six weeks to get the cramps out of his 

 hands, caused by trying to get the cow to part 

 with that pint of milk, and the stain out of his 

 soul, caused by his lying about the amount. 



In this way much good is done to the old line- 

 back and to the old moss-back, and both are 

 benefited to a very great degree. The cow grows 

 fat on good food and inaction, but the farmer 

 grows thinner, if possible, because one source of 

 income, to-wit the milk, is cut off. 



However, as I was assured that this was the 

 proper thing, I was determined to carry it out at 

 all hazards. I didn't just know how to go to work. 

 If the cow had been addicted to smoking, I could 

 have made her smoke rattan, which, as every 



