NEAT CATTLE. 225 



food, which take up largely the bone earth, or phosphates, 

 in such manures. Clover contains more lime than other 

 grasses, and it readily takes it up from plaster. Oats 

 contain more lime than other grain. Ruta-bagas abound 

 in lime and phosphoric acid. IMany pastures and mow- 

 ing fields may be greatly and cheaply improved by plas- 

 ter, and for many crops, especially on old lands, bones 

 are a good manure. 



Remedy. Bone meal given in food, about a pint at a 

 time. Some soften bones by soaking in a lye of wood 

 ashes, and then give them to cows. Seven pounds of 

 good sulphuric acid, diluted in two or three times the 

 quantity of water, will dissolve a bushel of ground bones. 

 Dilute half a pint of this in water, and sprinkle it on the 

 fodder, or mix with meal or grain. Care should be 

 taken that the bones used for medicine be pure, not filthy 

 from putrid animal matter, as they may be unhealthy, 

 and impart bad taste and impurities to milk. Chalk is 

 good, as it is a carbonate of lime. Give it pounded, 

 and mixed with food, or lay large pieces where cattle 

 can lick them ; but consider that it is astringent, and 

 use laxative food. During medical treatment, use, as 

 an auxiliary, food that contains much lime, as clover, 

 oats, potato tops, &c. 



TO PREVENT A COW SUCKING HERSELF. 



Put on a girth as tight as may be with comfort. Put 

 straps or lines on each side the girth, and carry them 

 upon the sides of the neck, and fasten them on the sides 

 of the head, to a strap. Put one strap around the lower 

 part of the neck, and another near the upper part, and 

 fasten these straps on each side to the straps that extend 

 up from the girth, to keep all in their place. If well 

 fitted, a cow cannot turn her head round far enough to 

 help herself to milk. 



