154 QUARTERLY JOLRNAL. 



Sago has of late years been much used for this purpose ; but an 

 eminent English veterinary surgeon has recently expressed a very 

 decided opinion that its use impairs the digestive powers of the 

 animal, and predisposes to disease. The sour smell invariably 

 found in a calf-house, where porridge or jelly of any kind is mixed 

 with the milk, is proof sufficient that indigestion is the conse- 

 quence. An egg put into each calf's allowance, and mixed with 

 the milk by stirring with the hand, is a good help, and never does 

 harm : but, with this exception, it is best to give the milk warm 

 and unadulterated, however small the quantity ; and along with 

 this, dry farinaceous food, turnips and hay, ad libitum. If more 

 liquid is needed, a pail with water may be put within their reach, 

 iis this does not produce the bad effect of mixed milk. Indeed, 

 in this it is best to keep as closely as possible to the natural 

 arrangement according to which the calf takes its suck — at 

 first frequently, 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 matter of some consequence. Swedish turnips yield 

 the richt'st milk, but it is too scanty, and calves fed on it are lia- 

 ble to inflammatory attacks ; globe turnips should therefore formi 

 their principal 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, on a 

 breeding farm, milk- is of little value at this season. The cows, 

 when dry, are kept at less expense, and, by this period of rest, 

 their constitution is invigorated, greater justice done to the foetus, 

 now rapidly advancing to maturity, and so much more milk ob- 

 tained after calving, when it is really valuable. When the calves 

 are from four to six weeks old, they are removed from their sepa- 

 rate cribs to a house where several can be accommodated 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 they 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 mid-day 

 allowance of milk is discontinued, and at about fourteen weeks 

 they are weaned altogether. When this is done, their allowance 

 of linseed cake is increased : and as they have been trained to its 

 use, they readily eat enough to improve in condition at this crisis, 

 instead of having their growth checked, and acquiring the l-arge 

 belly and unthrifty appearance which used to be considered an un- 

 avoidable consequence of weaning. The cake is continued until 

 they have so evidently taken with the grass as to be able to dis- 

 pense 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 and clover fog- 



