23 



of coarse, non-nutritious forage in large quantities as, for example, 

 corn ensilage, will sometimes develop so much middle and so sap 

 vitality as to render the bull very clumsy and quite ineffective even 

 when able to work. Where clover hay is lacking, its effects may be 

 secured by feeding somewhat more freely with bran. This latter feed 

 will also be found of great val^e when roots or other succulent feeds 

 are largely lacking or entirely absent from the lists of available 

 feeds. 



DAIKY CALVES. 



In choosing calves to raise to keep up or increase the dairy herd, 

 the progeny of the best cows only should be selected, and these only 

 if they are well-developed heifers. Many good calves from good 

 cows develop into inferior dairy animals. This may be due to one 

 single cause or to a combination of causes. The suggestions given 

 below are based on our experience here for the last 18 years, during 

 which time many hundreds of calves have been raised. It is confi- 

 dently asserted that a close observance of the rules laid down will 

 ins-mire success in a large percentage of case? 



THE DAM. 



The cow should be kept in gdod health and in good condition 

 while carrying a calf. Particularly is this true during the 6 or 8 weeks 

 immediately preceding parturition. The mature cow should be dried 

 off at least six weeks previous to dropping her next calf, then put in 

 good flesh. 



In the case of the heifer with her first calf, she should have been 

 fed generously and wisely during the whole period of pregnancy. Her 

 food shou'ld have been such as would havej^een suitable for a cow in 

 full flow of milk, the most suitable foods being pasture grass, clover 

 hay, roots, ensilage, bran, oats, and oil meal. 



THE CALF TO RAISE. 



Objection is sometimes made to raising calves from heifers. If 

 the heifers have been properly mated and wisely fed during pregnancy 

 the calves are likely to prove as satisfactory as stock from older 

 cows. In the case of grade heifers, however, it may scarcely be 

 considered wise to raise the first calf since, the milking qualities 

 being unknown, the breeder might later find himself with a six or 

 nine months' calf from an unsatisfactory cow on his hands. 



