CHOICE AND TREATMENT OF THE COW. 45 



where it is desired that the cows be in full milk, and their 

 calves all, or nearly all, weaned by the time they turn out 

 to grass, it is common to let the bull run with them from 

 the end of May, or thereabouts. Winter Milk. When 

 a constant supply of milk, required whether for the 

 market or for merely home use in a household, is 

 to be supplied continuously throughout the year, it is 

 necessary either to have a summer and a winter cow, 

 by giving them access to the bull in summer and in 

 winter respectively, or to change the cow at a considerable 

 loss, when she begins to dry, for one more recently calved. 

 The cow should be let dry at least six weeks before calving, 

 and two months is a better time. Simply ceasing to milk 

 it is sufficient for this purpose. If you give it somewhat 

 drier food and less water for a few days, the secretion of 

 milk soon ceases ; but if any swelling or inflammation of 

 the udder ensues, hot fomentation is a sufficient remedy. 

 The parturition of the cow takes place generally without 

 the need of any assistance, but in case of difficulty a 

 properly qualified practitioner must be called in. Before 

 calving, and immediately afterwards, the cow should 

 be carefully nursed, and receive warm mashes twice a 

 day with her usual food ; and these are made simply by 

 pouring boiling water over bran a peck or thereabouts at 

 a time letting it remain until cold enough to give it as 

 food- Steamed turnips may be mashed up with it, and a 

 pint of oatmeal mashed in will make it still more nourishing. 

 In calves the "hask" or " hoose," a cough produced by 

 worms in the windpipe, is prevented by good water and 

 sufficient food ; and may possibly be cured by limewater, 

 " half a pint daily," or turpentine in linseed oil, " one 

 ounce in four, once a week." This should be taken along 



