182 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



fore, it is best for calves to suck their share first, when 

 they do not have the whole from the cow, as the last 

 drawn is the richest. Milk which contains a large 

 quantity of cream is apt to clog the stomachs of calves, 

 and this obstruction puts an end to their thrift, and often 

 proves fatal. Numerous experiments and observations 

 of farmers confirm these remarks. 



Calves with Sheep. We have kept calves with sheep, 

 and highly approve of the plan. They are free from 

 lice ; are more healthy and active. The sheep eat the 

 fine part of the fodder, and calves do well on the coarse, 

 as they have strong powers of digestion. The dung and 

 urine of the sheep, dropped on the fodder, have a favor- 

 able efiect ; they even possess medicinal virtues. We 

 have had calves that came to the barn late, and were 

 poor and lousy, and they would not move out of the 

 path ; on putting them with sheep, which had nothing 

 but water, hay, salt, and ashes — the calves the same — 

 they gained in two or three months so that we could 

 hardly catch them. The lice disappeared at once. 

 When the weather was fair, they ate out door on the 

 snow, with the sheep, and at night retired to the shelter. 

 Young lambs like this plan, as they often lay on the 

 calves. 



THE HAIR AND SKIN. 



The hair serves as a protection and ornament ; it is 

 supported by roots in the skin. The appearance of the 

 hair and feeling of the skin should be carefully noted, as 

 they indicate health or sickness. A soft, supple skin, 

 and bright, glossy coat, show good health, and a dispo- 

 sition to thrive ; but a hard, dry skin, adhering to the 

 ribs, and a dull, rough, staring coat, indicate something 

 wrong, and that fattening is out of the question till 

 health is restored. Let the eyelashes, the hairs in the 

 ears and on the tail, remain ; they were made for good 

 purposes. 



