PARTURITION OF THE COW. 131 



There are exceptions, however, and it is often very 

 difficult to dry off a cow sufficiently to make it judicious 

 to cease milking much, if any, before the time of calving. 

 Some even prefer to milk quite up to this time ; but the 

 weight of authority among the best practical farmers is 

 so decidedly against it, that there can be no question 

 of its bad economy. Towards the close of winter, a 

 herd of cows will begin to come in, or approach their 

 time of calving. Care should then be taken not to feed 

 too rich or stimulating food for the last week or two 

 before this event, as it is often attended with ill conse- 

 quences. A plenty of hay, a few potatoes or shorts, 

 and pure water, will be sufficient. 



As the time of calving approaches, the cow should be 

 removed from the rest of the herd, to a pen with a level 

 floor, by herself. Nothing is needed, usually, but to 

 supply her regularly with food and drink, and leave her 

 quietly to herself. In most cases the parturition will 

 be natural and easy, and the less the cow is disturbed 

 or meddled with, the better. She will do better with- 

 out help than with ; but she should be watched, in order 

 to see that no difficulty occurs which may require aid 

 and attention. In cases of difficult parturition the 

 aid of a skilful veterinary surgeon may be required. 

 For those who may desire to make themselves familiar 

 with the details of such cases so far as to be able to act 

 for themselves, Skellett's " Practical Treatise on the 

 Parturition of the Cow, or the Extraction of the Calf/- 

 an elaborate work, published in London in 1844, will be 

 an important guide. 



In spring the best feeding for dairy cows will be 

 much the same as that for winter ; the roots in store 

 over winter, such as carrots, mangold wurzel, turnips, 

 and parsnips, furnishing very valuable aid in increasing 

 the quantity and improving the quality of milk. Tow- 



