84 N. C. AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



where tlie calves were under ten months of age. This being true, it 

 would be better to feed some other feed while the calves are young, 

 such as oats, bran, and com, which are known to be satisfactory. TO 

 secure good size the animal should continue to grow steadily until 

 mature. If allowed to stop growing through neglect in feeding or other 

 causes they become more or less stunted. 



FIG. 9 The Jersey cow G. M. K.'s Sylvia at ten years of age. Good dairy 

 form and still doing good work in the herd. 



Age to Breed Heifers. 



As too early breeding of heifers is almost sure to prove detrimental 

 to perfect development, it is well to allow them to get fairly well ad- 

 vanced before breeding for the first time. The dairy breeds vary in 

 length of time required for maturing so it is necessary to breed some 

 heifers later than others. Heifers of the Jersey or Guernsey breeds 

 may safely be bred to drop their first calf when they are twenty-four 

 to thirty months old, provided they are well grown. If not well devel- 

 oped, it will be advisable to give them a little more time. As the 

 Ayshires and Holsteins are a little slower in maturing, they should be 

 bred later, so as to drop their first calves when they are thirty to thirty- 

 six months old. This will give them opportunity to develop into good 

 sized useful dairy cows. With good care and management the cow 

 should be able to freshen each year and continue to be a good producer 

 until she is at least twelve years old. It is not at all uncommon to find 

 a cow much older than this doing good work in the dairy herd. 



