GENERAL CARE OF CATTLE. 341 



box-stall where warmth and quiet can be had. 

 The approach of labor can generally be detected 

 early enough for the herdsman to have his 

 attention called to the cow about to calve, and 

 quietly keeping her in his eye she may be 

 watched from a distance and only approached 

 when there is some sign of distress. A very 

 restless heifer is perhaps better put in the 

 stable at once, where she is more apt to lie 

 down and calve in quiet. In general no in- 

 terference is desirable unless after long labor 

 it is evident that something is wrong. Mai- 

 presentations are the most fertile causes of 

 such protracted labor, and artificial means must 

 in such cases be resorted to. If in reach a veter- 

 inary surgeon is always desirable, as few am- 

 ateurs make successful accoucheurs. Where 

 interference is absolutely necessary it must be 

 resorted to, though few can hope to do more 

 than save the cow till they have acquired some 

 costly practical experience. 



As has already been said, heifers sometimes 

 need to have their motherly instinct aroused 

 and the calves often need to be helped at 

 the first suckling. Very few calves will take 

 all their dam's milk for the first few days after 

 birth, and the cow must be well milked twice a 

 day for several days after calving. If this is 

 neglected the bag will become clogged with 

 milk and may spoil. The bag should be well 



