70 THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 



ciency of milk, let the calf be also fed from the pail, due care 

 being taken that its stomach be not overloaded. No calf 

 should be weaned suddenly : the change of diet must be effected 

 by degrees, a little good sweet hay or grass being allowed. 

 To this at last the calf will take almost exclusively : a little 

 skimmed milk, buttermilk, or a mash may be now occasionally 

 given ; some feed the calf when weaned three times a day, 

 but it is better to give the food oftener, though in less quantity 

 at a time. It should, however, be sufficient, and of good 

 quality, otherwise the animal will be stunted in growth. It is 

 an excellent plan to allow it to feed in the field or paddock 

 with its mother a few hours every day ; the fresh air and the 

 exercise strengthen its limbs and give tone to the digestive 

 organs, and its contour becomes better developed. Hence it 

 is that calves kept constantly in a stable or cow-house, seldom 

 thrive so well in the long run as those which are allowed 

 exercise. In choosing calves for rearing, those born in the 

 spring are to be preferred; before the severities of winter 

 come on they will have acquired strength to bear the co]d, 

 which is trying to younger and feebler animals, and against 

 which they should be carefully guarded. No calves should 

 be reared but those which are perfect in form, with broad 

 hips in the female, a capacious chest, and sound lungs. 

 Some recommend that calves intended for rearing should 

 be allowed to suck the mother for three or four days, 

 but no more, and then brought up by hand at the pail. 

 But, as we have said, the longer a calf sucks, the finer animal 

 in all respects does it grow up, and the more it will ultimately 

 sell for, so that the profit will pay for the milk consumed. 



To a small farmer, who depends on his milk and its pro- 

 duce, we doubt the advantage of rearing calves, excepting on 

 the meagre plan above described. 



Calves intended for the*butcher may be weaned earlier than 

 others ; in dairy districts they are generally sold as soon as 

 possible, for it is chiefly in the neighbourhood of large towns 

 that the practice of fattening calves for the market is profit- 

 able. The calf-dealer, therefore, buys up the calves in the 

 dairy districts, and sells them again to those who rear them. 

 The poor animals are often carried to a great distance in 

 carts, packed together on their sides, with their four feet tied 

 firmly together, and their heads hanging over the back and 

 sides* of the cart. This is a most cruel and barbarous prac- 

 tice, and ought to be abolished by the Legislature. It is dis- 



