BEARING OF CALVES. 377 



calves, and breeders are now endeavouring to obtain as 

 many as possible before the end of February. Mr Alex- 

 ander Bowie, Mains of Kelly, the oldest living breeder, 

 says the best calving season is from December to the 

 end of April. Early calves generally bring most money 

 when sold to the butcher. Mr Bowie rears most of his 

 calves by the pail or " cog," giving daily at the outset 

 one pint, and gradually increasing the quantity till it 

 reaches seven or eight quarts. Small quantities of cake, 

 corn, and turnips are ultimately given along with the 

 milk. The better sorts, perhaps intended for showing 

 purposes, are allowed to suckle their dams for longer or 

 shorter periods, and when weaned are shut up in loose 

 boxes and treated to all sorts of good things. Mr Bowie 

 keeps his breeding cattle in moderately lean condition. 

 He does not think it wise to serve heifers until they are 

 two years old, as too early breeding checks their growth. 

 Few breeders of polled cattle were more methodical in 

 the management of their herds than the late Mr "William 

 Fullerton. Writing in reference to the principles of 

 selection which should be observed in a pure-bred herd, 

 he says : " I would say breed in line of course. Study 

 the docility of bulls and cows, and breed from good- 

 natured beasts. You will know good nature in a calf 

 it is frank, so to speak, even as calf. A full eye is a fine 

 sign of a beast too ; also plenty of hair if not over fine : 

 flightersomeness I don't like, nor a bull that needs two 

 men to lead him. The touch of a beast's skin should be 

 mellow and easy, and need not be very remarkably thin. 

 Both cows and bulls should stand well on their legs. 

 Over crooked hind legs are not pretty, neither are knock- 

 knees. Very wide hooks are not an Angus point, still 

 they show off a beast. Depressed loins used to be an 

 Angus fault, but this is now greatly mended. As to the 

 head, who can describe it ? You know it when you see 

 it good, to be good ; but the neck has so much to do in 



