30 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



Professor Johnson observes, '' That any calf, producec 

 at an earlier period than 260 days, must be considered 

 decidedly premature ; and any period of gestation exceed- 

 ing 300 days must also be considered irregular ; but in 

 the latter case the health of the produce is not affected.'' 



Youatt says the usual time of gestation with cows is 

 270 days ; but Bement, of Albany, who has made many 

 observations on this subject, finds a different result. He 

 sets it down at 283 or 288 days. Mr. Parolett, an English 

 farmer, found, from his experiments, that sheep went 

 with young from 144 to 158 days. Those that came 

 earliest were ewes, and those that came latest were rams, 

 proving that animals go longer with males. 



- WATER AND WATERING PLACES. 



very farmer should have a good watering place con- 

 nected with his barn-yard, if possible, and it can gener- 

 ally be done at a small expense. It is not only a great 

 advantage to stock, but it makes a great saving of ma- 

 nure. 



When animals have water in or near the barn-yard, 

 they will drink as they need it, and keep m better con- 

 dition. When the water is far off, they often go mthout, 

 even when they suffer for want of it. The distance, and 

 often deep snows, and a cold blast, prevent their quench- 

 ing their thirst at all times, as they would if water was 

 at hand ; and when very thirsty they drink to excess, 

 and thus injure themselves. 



In many cases, cattle, after going a distance for water, 

 meet with troubles. The supply may be insufficient, or 

 tlie water may be covered with drifting snows, or the ice 

 may have accumulated so that the water is reached vfiih 

 great difficulty. Strong animals molest the weak ones 

 on the way, or exhibit their domineering spirit by driving 

 them from the water, or preventing their approaching it. 



These evils can only be properly remedied by having 

 a good supply of water in the barn-yard, or very near it ; 

 but if this cannot be done, provide, in a trough, or by 

 other means, a good supply of pure water, of convenient 

 access : keep it well cleared of snow and ice, and see that 



