Management of the Bull 57 



are a loose, mellow hide; a bold, bright eye; an active 

 gait and disposition. These are of great importance 

 as indicating capacity to reproduce similar character- 

 istics in his offspring. 



Management of the bull. The management of the 

 bull on a dairy farm is often a matter of a good 

 deal of trouble and perplexity. In a herd of ordi- 

 nary size a single bull is sufficient, and it is usually 

 necessary that he be kept from the herd during the 

 greater part of the year. This means that he must 

 be kept in solitary confinement. The result of this 

 is, too often, that his temper becomes uncertain, and 

 his breeding powers impaired from lack of exercise. 

 In all cases where it is possible to do so, it is better 

 that the bull should run with the herd of cows. 

 With a little care this can frequently be done, par- 

 ticularly during the summer and fall, when the cows 

 are all pregnant in a spring calving herd, and in the 

 spring and early summer, when the cows are all 

 pregnant in a fall calving herd. 



The powers and temper of a bull may also be safe- 

 guarded by giving him exercise on a tread- power, or 

 hitched by a long rope or chain to a wire between 

 two upright posts, or attached to a pole balanced 

 upon a post so that he may move around it. Occa- 

 sionally, also, the labor of a bull may be utilized 

 upon a tread-power for cutting feed, pumping water, 

 or separating milk. Sometimes a particularly handy 

 owner will break a bull to work to harness or in a 

 cart. It may even be time and labor well spent to 

 give a bull walking exercise. A good, vigorous ani- 



