in this, it is the best to keep as closely as possi- 

 ble to the nalural arrangement according to 

 which the calf takes its suck — at first frequent- 

 ly, and then at longer intervals, as it becomes 

 able to eat of the same food as its dam. 



The diet of the cows at this season is a malter 

 of some consequence. Swedish turnips yield 

 the richest milk, but it is too scanty, and calves 

 fed on it are liable to inflammatory attacks. 

 Globe turnips should, therefore, form their prin- 

 cipal food during the spring months. Care must 

 also be taken that they do not get too low in 

 condition in the autumn and winter, and for this 

 end it is well to put them dry at least three 

 months before calving. Some may think this 

 long ; but, but, on a breeding farm, milk is of 

 little value this season. The cows, when dry, 

 are kept at less expense, and, hy this period of 

 rest, their constitution is invigorated, greater 

 justice done to the fcBtus, now rapidly advancing 

 to maturity, and so much more milk obtained af- 

 ter calving, when it is really valuable. 



When the calves are from four to six ^veeks 

 old, they are removed from their separate cribs 

 to a house where several can be accommoda- 

 ted together, and have room to frisk about. So 

 soon as the feeding-yards are cleared of the fat 

 cattle, the calves are put into the most sheltered 

 one, where thej' have still more room, and are 

 gradually prepared for being turned to grass ; 

 and, when this is done, they are still brought in 

 at night for some time. At six weeks old, the 

 midday allowance of milk is discontinued, and 

 at about fourteen weeks they are weaned alto- 

 gether. When this is done, Iheir allowance of lin- 

 aeed-cake is increased; and, as they have been 

 trained to its use, they readily eat enough to im- 

 prove in condition at this crisis, instead of having 

 their growth checked, and acquiring the large 

 belly and unthrifty appearance which used to be 

 considered an unavoidable consequence of wean- 

 ing.* The cake is continued until they have so 

 evidently taken ^vith the grass as to be able to 

 dispense with it. They are not allowed to lie 

 out very late in autumn, but, as the nights begin 

 to lengthen and get chilly, are brought in during 

 the night, and receive a foddering of tares or 

 clover foggage. When put on turnips, the dai- 

 ly allowance of cake> say 1 lb. each) is resumed, 

 and continued steadily through the winter and 

 spring, until they are again turned to gra.ss. — 

 This not merely promotes their growth and feed- 

 ing, but (so far as the experience of five or six 

 years can determine the point) seems a specific 

 against black-leg, which was often so fatal as al- 

 together to deter many fanners from breeding. 

 It may be well to state here distinctly the par- 

 ticular purpose for which cake is given at the 

 different stages of their growth. At first, the 

 object is to accustom them to a wholesome and 

 nctritious diet, which will supplement the milk 

 obtained from any given number of cows, bo as 

 to admit of a greater number of calves being 

 reared, and, at the same time, have greater jus- 

 tice done them than could otherwise be practi- 

 cable. At weaning-time, again, it is given to 

 help the young animal over the transition from 

 milk to grass alone, without check to growth or 

 loss of condition. During the following winter, 

 however, the special object of its use is to pre- 

 vent black -leg, aa. but for this, turnips ad lih- 

 tf«m, would be sufficient. 

 When put to grass as year-olds, they deci- 



* Com meal would probably answer with us where 

 tiii Unseed cake is not to be had. [Ed. Farm. Lib. 



fu'^n) 



dedly thrive better on sown grass of the first 

 year than on old pasture, differing in this re.spect 

 from cattle whose growth is matured. They are 

 laid on turnips again as early in the autumn as 

 these are ready ; and it is a good practice to 

 sow a few acres of globes to be ready (or this 

 express pnrpo.se. It does well to give the tur- 

 nips upon the gra-ss for ten or fourteen days be- 

 fore putting them finally into the feeding-yards; 

 and then, if they can be kept dry and warm, 

 and receive daily as many good tuniips as they 

 can possibly eat (globe till Christmas and Swe- 

 dish afterward,) they will grow at a rate which 

 will afford their owner daily pleasure in watch- 

 ing their progress, and reach a weight by the 1st 

 of May which, if markets are favorable, will re- 

 ward him well for all his pain.s. 



The leading features of this system are, ?««»'-• 

 form good, keeping and progressive improve- 

 ment ; in other words, to get them fat as soon 

 after birth as possible, and keep them so till they 

 reach maturity. The details given above are a 

 description of the expedients generally adopted 

 by the breeders of this district forsecurinir these 

 objects. [Jour, of High. & Ag. Soc. of Scot. 



IJQUORICE. 

 To John S. Skinnee, Esq. 



Editor of the Farmers' Library : 



In the March Number of the Farmers' Li- 

 brary, you state that there is " room for inquiry 

 and need for information about Liquorice." It 

 belongs to the natural order Lequniinosce of Bot- 

 anists, or that tribe of plants which have blos- 

 soms and pods like the common pea. Its botan- 

 ical name is Liquoritia officinalis. It is a deep- 

 rooting perennial, and has long been much cul- 

 tivated in Spain; and, according to Loudon, 

 since Elizabeth's time has been grown in differ- 

 ent parts of England ; hence there is little doubt 

 but that it would succeed well in this country. — 

 Loudon says : 



" The soil should be a deep sandy loam, 

 trenched by the spade or plow, or with the 

 aid of both, to two and a half or three feet in 

 depth, and manured if necessary. The plants 

 are procured from old plantations, and consist of 

 the side-roots, which have eyes or buds. These 

 may be taken off", either in autumn, when a crop 

 of Liquorice is taken up for use, and laid in earth 

 till spring, or taken from a growing plantation 

 as wanted for planting. The planting season 

 may be either October or February and March. 

 In general the latter is preferred. The plants 

 are dibbled in, in rows three feet apart, and from 

 eighteen inches to two feet in a row, according 

 to the richness of the soil. The after-culture 

 consists in horse-hoeing and deep stirring, in 

 weeding, and in cutting over and carrjingaway 

 the haulm every autumn, after it is completely 

 withered. As the plants do not rise more than 

 a foot the first sea.son, a crop of onions or beans 

 is sometimes taken in the intervals. The j)lant8 

 must have three summers' growth, at the end of 

 which the roots may be taken up by trenching 

 over the ground. The roots are immediately 

 sold to the brewers' druggists or to common 

 druggists, or preserved, like carrots or pot.atoes, 

 in .sand till wanted for use. They are used in 

 medicine and porter brewing." 



Yours truly, S. B. BUCKLEY. 



Yates Co. N. Y. March 16, 1846. 



