SECRETARY'S REPORT. 29 



because, if the latter be scanty at first, they scarcely, if ever, attain to a 

 larfi'e o-rowth. The best time for weaning them is, therefore, about that 

 period of the year when the young grass acquires enough succulence, 

 both to entice the appetite, and toaifordcompletenourishment without the 

 aid of other food. Calves, which are dropped in October and November 

 Avill thrive greatly by the nourishing pastures into which they may be 

 turned, in the ensuing spring, if allowed to suck and to be properly 

 sheltered throughout the winter ; but the milk is too scarce at that 

 season to be commonly bestowed on them, and winter-weaned calves 

 seldom arrive at much perfection." 



I would here remark, that some of the best and cheapest 

 calves that I have ever raised, have been dropped in the autumn. 

 They require good care ; but tliey are very likely to get it in 

 winter, when there is no temptation to turn them to grass, too 

 early. And they are well matured for the nourishing grass of 

 spring. 



"Various plans have been suggested, and tried with considerable 

 success, for rearing calves without any, or at least with a small quantity 

 of milk. The time of weaning them varies from one fortnight till they 

 are seven weeks old ; but the latter period is preferable, on account of 

 the weak and tender state of the calves, if separated from the dam, at 

 an earlier age. In several counties of England, calves, on being taken 

 from the cows, are with great pains taught to drink skimmed milk, in a 

 luke-warm state ; for either extreme of heat or cold is hurtful to the 

 beast, and not unfrequently produces fatal consequences; about twelve 

 weeks after which, for three or four weeks they are fed with lukewarm 

 milk and water. Small wisps of fine hay are then placed within their 

 reach, in order to induce them to eat. Towards the end of May they 

 are turned out to grass, being taken in a few nights, when they have 

 tepid milk and water given them ; which is usually continued, though 

 gradually in smaller proportions, during the last month, till they are 

 able to feed themselves, when they totally disregard it ; care, however, 

 should be taken that the grass is short and sweet, and by no means rank 

 and sour. Indeed, a spirited American agriculturist (Mr. E. L. Ilomme- 

 dieu, Transactions New York Agricultural Society) is of opinion that 

 calves taken from the cows are much better in a pasture without water than 

 in a pasture of equal goodness with water. The reason he assigns (with 

 which, however, we can by no means agree) is, that when indulged 

 with water they drink too much to supply the want of milk ; whereas, 

 when deprived of water they are forced to eat grass, containing some 



