THE GENESEE FAEMEE. HI 



communincation page 116. We would add that good Peruvian guano, sown broadcast, 

 at the rate of 300 lbs., per acre, will be found a valuable and economic manure for this 

 crop. One great advantage in using guano for the carrot crop is the absence of weeds. 

 An advantage which all who have grown carrots will readily appreciate. 



Potatoes. — The cause of and remedy for the potato disease are yet to be discovered. 

 We are at this moment as much in the dark respecting it as ever. Early planting on a 

 well under-drained, light, sandy loam, using potatoes obtained from seedling, or as re- 

 cent a variety as can be readily obtained, appear to be the best means of obtaining 

 sound palatable potatoes. 



P-S"" 



cows AND CALVES. 



In some districts it may be best economy to cut the throats of calves as soon as they 

 are born, the milk being more valuable converted into cheese and butter tlian into veal. 

 Such however is not the case when veal sells as it does here, at from five to eight cents 

 per pound, unless fresh butter commands an unusually high price. The relative prices 

 of the veal and butter determine the advantage of one or the other of the courses, and 

 any intelligent farmer can easily calculate which is best economy for him. 



In fatting calves for the butcher, they should be suckled regularly, have as much milk 

 as they can take, after they are ten days old ; they should be tied up in a dark, clean 

 stable, and have a little fresh, clean straw given them every day. Much depends on 

 their being kept clean and quiet. If they are kept clean they will not be troubled with 

 lice. If they should be, give them a little sulphur, it will both purify the blood and rid 

 them of the lice. In suckling them, let the strap remain round their necks and take 

 them away from the cow as soon as they have had their fill, and do not let them run 

 about. The rate of increase of a calf depends a good deal on the breed, and on the 

 food of the mother ; when a calf is more than six weeks old it seldom gets as much 

 milk as it would take, unless the cow be very well kept. As a general thing, therefore, 

 it is not profitable to keep fatting calves after they are six weeks old. 



For rearing calves, of course, a different treatment is necessary. You must have an 

 eye to health, and the development of muscle, and not, as in the other case, to the accu- 

 mulation of fat. They should be allowed more light and exercise. If fed by hand, after 

 the first two or three weeks a little fresh skim milk and linseed tea might economically 

 be substituted for a part of the fresh milk. A dairyman will be paid for a little extra feed 

 and c;u'e to his cows in the spring. It often happens that cows are very costive a week 

 or two preceding and following parturition. A feed of mangel wurtzel, or two pounds 

 of oil-cake per day, will be found of great advantage in such a case. Tlje increase of 

 milk will pay for the oil-cake, while the increased health and strength of the cow ynW 

 be pure gain and will tell well in the milk pail during summer. 



We need scarcely say that it is very important that a cow be milked clean at all 

 times, but especially immediately after calving. As soon as the cow has calved, we like 

 to take all the milk out of the udder we can get, previous to letting the calf suck, and if 

 the udder gets hard or is inflamed, as is often the case, ruh it well with cold soft water or 

 buttermilk, and take out the milk before the calf is to suck. The calf will then draw it 

 clear and bunt it well, speedily effecting a cure. An eminent writer has said, " For my 

 part I never see a man milking a cow Avithout being impressed with the idea that he is 

 usurping an ofiice which does not befit him." Certainly there are few men that are fit 

 to milk, or have anything at all to do with a cow. We have known cows that would 

 not suffer a man to milk them without their legs were tied, yet they would be as quiet 

 as a lamb while a woman with her soft hands, kind words, and pacifying manners, per- 

 formed the operation. However unruly and ugly a cow may be, never beat or kick her ; 

 harsh treatment only makes the temper worse, while kindness will tame s, tartar. 



m 



