AND RURAL ECONOMIST. 63 



face of the milk for the calf to lay hold of with its mouth, 

 which it does very readily, and sucks up the milk with great 

 ease. 



When they are completely taken away, they should be 

 fed with a little bran, and some of the best soft and fragrant 

 hay of the second crop ; they should be allowed plenty of 

 the skimmed milk, and now and then a little water in which 

 barley has been boiled and broken up, or a little buttermilk 

 occasionally. There is at first some difficulty in bringing 

 them to drink, but a little perseverance will accustom them 

 to it. 



Moderate warmth and dry lodging are of the utmost con- 

 sequence to young calves ; and if we would turn them to 

 any good account, they must not be stinted either in these 

 or in their food. Calves which have recently been weaned 

 and are not at pasture should be fed often, at least three 

 times, and it is better five times a day. As soon as they are 

 fit to follow the mother they should be let out, as they are 

 greatly benefited by air and exercise. Calves sometimes ac- 

 quire a habit of sucking one another, of which trick they 

 may be broken by separating them. 



Calves cannot be kept too clean, nor have fresh litter too 

 often. If they are suffered to lie on their own dung- and 

 urine, they will become mangy, and scarcely ever thrive. 

 They are subject to several disorders, such as diarrhoea, 

 dysentery, costiveness, &c. As a means of preventing the 

 greater number of the diseases to which they are liable, the 

 following rules are prescribed in the Farmer''s and Grazier's 

 Guide. 



1st. Let the young calf suck the first milk. This will 

 cleanse its bowels, and prevent costiveness. 



2d. Let it suck from its mother at least two months, and 

 then wean it gradually. 



3d. Let its first food be such as is easy of digestion, and 

 let it have plenty of sweet skimmed milk and good hay. 



4th. Keep it very clean, well rubbing it occasionally with 

 a wisp of hay or straw. 



5th. Keep its stable clean, and perfectly free from all im- 

 purities. 



6th. Let it have gentle exercise ; the best will be follow- 

 ing the mother in the meadow or pasture. 



7th. Do not stint it either in good food or good drink, and 

 change its litter often enough to keep it clean, sweet, and 

 dry. 



