1040 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK xn. 



previously brushing them down to free them from dust, cobwebs, 

 &c., &c. Take advantage of the animals having their daily turn in 

 yard or paddock to thoroughly clean out the whole interior of the 

 house ; wash down all the wood- work, and make everything neat and 

 tidy for the winter feeding. 



NOVEMBER. 



The work to be done this month is very similar in its general 

 character to that of last month. In-milk cows are now decidedly best 

 off the pastures, and should be brought in to warm quarters, and 

 placed on winter rations. A daily allowance of 40 or more pounds 

 of roots may be given, as bulky food is necessary, and roots increase 

 the flow of milk and make the rest of the food more tempting. They 

 also save the more expensive foods, and as the root crop must be 

 grown on account of the need of fallowing the arable land, it is a good 

 way of using them to profit. Boots of the turnip family are liable to 

 impart to milk an unpleasant smell and taste ; but plants of the 

 cabbage family, including kohl-rabi, solid headed cabbages and thousand- 

 headed kale, do not, unless the leaves are beginning to decay. Hay 

 and hay-chaff are the best of the dry coarse foods, but, if there is 

 not enough of these, chaffed straw and pea-haulm are very suitable for 

 the purpose, and the difference may be made good by the addition of a 

 Httle bran, or malt dust, which will induce the cows to clean up their 

 food. The quantity of cake or corn allowed must depend to some 

 extent on the size of the cows, but, however good the hay and roots 

 may be, four pounds per day is the minimum that can be allowed with 

 the hope of profit. In very damp weather with low temperature give a 

 warm mash in the middle of the day, and keep the cows wholly in the 

 house, omitting even the daily short run in the yard or paddock. Pay 

 particular attention to the cows selected to be sent to the forthcoming 

 cattle shows, and see that their general health is good. Give them 

 food calculated to increase the now of milk. Currycomb them 

 regularly. Keep their coats free from all soil matter. Select calves 

 to breed from those calved in spring. Clean out all stalls, and white- 

 wash the parts which appear to be getting soiled. 



DECEMBER. 



Keep the animals warm and comfortable, and do not let them be 

 disturbed more than is necessary. Maintain their bowels in a healthy 

 condition by regular and judicious feeding, avoiding a too generous 

 use of roots. If a fair ration of other food is given, the roots may be 

 relied upon to rectify the action of the bowels, the quantity of roots 

 given being increased or decreased according as the bowels are consti- 

 pated or loose. In cases of persistent constipation, linseed cake with 

 a high percentage of oil is very effective ; failing this, a little crushed 

 linseed, boiled and mixed with the food, is safe and reliable. Cooked 

 or fermented food is very useful in cold weather, but it should not be 

 too often used. Frosted roots should be discarded. Off-lying in-calf 



