26 



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



DRYING UP THE Cow. 



Some cows are very persistent milkers and are difficult to dry up. It is usually 

 these cows which most of all need a rest The safest plan is to miss alternate milk- 

 ings for a time, then milk the cow once every two or three,days. The milk then left 

 in the udder will be reabsorbed without danger of inflammation. It is sometimes 

 necessary to reduce the feed for heavy and persistent milkers for some days in order 

 to get them dried up. 



TREATMENT BEFORE CALVING. 



In summer the in-calf cow is best out on good pasture, provided she is not driven 

 by dogs or through narrow gateways. Any unusual excitement or blows may cause 

 abortion. She does not need other feed if on good grass. The pasture is also a 

 good place for her to calve, unless one does not wish her to see her calf at all. 



In winter* the feed should be laxative as parturition approaches. Bran and 

 linseed-oil meal are good feeds combined with clover hay and a liberal supply of 

 silage or roots. 



Typical Jersey bull, " Sultanne's Raleigh." 



Milking before calving is advisable only with the heaviest milkers, when they 

 are evidently suffering greatly from distension of the udder. If milking is begun it 

 should be continued regularly. 



If not on pasture, the cow should have a roomy box stall, well cleaned and 

 bedded. As the time of parturition approaches the udder is distended and hard. 

 When the tendons and muscles relax on either side of the rump, leaving a hollow 

 each side of the tail-head, the cow will usually calve within twenty-four hours. 



The cow should be left alone at calving-time unless assistance is evidently neces- 

 sary. The normal position of the calf is fore feet first, lying on its stomach, with 

 head outstretched between the knees. In this case assistance can be given by pulling 

 horizontally on a rope tied to the fore feet of the calf, pulling only when the cow 

 strains. As a rule the calf will be born in alf an hour, but no anxiety need be felt 

 if a much longer time is taken, providing the position of the calf is normal. If 

 abnormally placed, the services of a veterinarian or other experienced person will be 

 required to push back and change the position of the calf to permit of delivery^ 



