liit NEAT CATTLE. 



a little Indian meal, or other nourishing food ; and they 

 should have shelter earlier than larger cattle. The best 

 time for castrating calves is at tii'teen or twenty days 

 old. 



Young steers intended for labor, should be early yok- 

 ed, and worked moderately at iirst with old oxen. When 

 oxen are worked in wet weather, let that part of the 

 yoke which rubs against the breast and neck be rubbed 

 with tallow, to prevent soreness. 



The signs of a good ox, are, thick, soft, smooth, short 

 hair ; short thick head ; glossy smooth horns ; large 

 shaggy ears ; wide forehead ; full black eyes ; wide nos- 

 trils ; black lips ; thick fleshy neck ; large shoulders ; 

 hroad veins ; large belly ; thick rump and thighs ; 

 straight back ; long tail, well covered with hair ; and 

 short broad hoofs. The best colors are brown, dark-red, 

 and brindled. When an ox has completed his eighth 

 A'ear he should be fattened. 



Cows should not be milked during two months pre- 

 vious to calving ; and for some weeks before this event 

 should receive particular attention. The day and night 

 after a cow has calved, she should be kept housed, and 

 her drink should be luke-warm. Let her not be expos- 

 sed for some time after to the dampness of the night. 

 Cows should at all times be kept in high health and good 

 condition : for if they are suffered to fall in flesh during 

 the winter, it will be impossible to expect an abundant 

 supply of milk by bringing them into high condition in 

 the summer. The happiest consequences will ensue, 

 both in regard to milk and improvement of the cows by 

 currying them well. Pure water also is a most essential 

 article to them. It has been ascertained, that if water 

 is at command, cattle will drink of it eight times a day : 

 hence it is evident, that they cannot get enough, if only 

 driven twice a day to an adjoining stream or pond. 



The common cattle stalls of our country are so ill 

 contrived, that the cattle lie d"wn in their own dung. 

 This dries and forms a thick coat on their hind quarters, 

 from which they are not relieved till they shed their 

 hair in the spring. They are thus rendered uncomforU 

 able. To be uncomfortable is to suffer some degree of 

 pcdn ; and no one will suppose that animals in pain can 

 thrive or preserve their plight, with the same food, equal- 



