28 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



convert our farm products into the most money. If we had 

 done this, we should not see one farmer devoting himself 

 to producing the mammoth proportions of the 8hort-horn, 

 while his immediate neighbor is satisfied with the Devon, or the 

 Ayrshire, or the Jersey. It is very evident that the same tract 

 of land cannot be fed indiscriminately with all these breeds, 

 with an equal prospect of success, and with equal results. As 

 our agriculture advances, this defect will undoubtedly find 

 a remedy. 



METHODS OF REARING. 



With regard to the best methods of rearing cattle, much 

 depends upon the prices of food consumed by them in various 

 localities ; upon the manner of feeding ; and upon the time 

 occupied by them in arriving at maturity. A large proportion 

 of the expense may be incurred during the first few months, in 

 the period of calf-hood, when the animal requires good nourish- 

 ment, and tender care, in order to start it well in life, and 

 to lay a foundation for future usefulness. No statement of 

 the various modes of feeding the calf, can be more com- 

 prehensive than the following, taken from the " Complete 

 Grazier " : — 



" There are two modes of feeding calves : one is to permit them to 

 run about with the parent cow the whole of the first year ; tlie other 

 mode is to wean them when about a fortnight old, and bring them up by 

 hand. 



" The former expedient is generally allowed to be productive of the 

 best cattle, and is adopted in those countries where fodder is abundant 

 and cheap ; in others, where it is found prudent to reserve a portion of 

 the milk, the following plan is pursued. From the time the calves are 

 dropped, till they are able to support themselves, they are allowed to 

 run in the manner above mentioned, but they are prevented from sucking 

 by means of a small piece of leather, having little sharp iron spikes 

 fixed upon the outside, which is tied on the upper part of the calPs nose, 

 in such a manner as to allow it to feed upon the grass without restraint. 

 Hence, as often as the animal attempts to suck, this instrument pricks 

 the cow, and prevents her from letting the milk flow, till the muzzle is 

 removed, and the portion of milk not taken from the cow is resigned to 

 the calf, and the muzzle is replaced. 



" Whether calves are designed to be raised for breed, labor, or feeding, 

 care should be taken that they have a sufficient supply of good pasture J 



