214 Fruit-growing in Arid Regions 



and should not be allowed to follow the dam when she is 

 at work. It is best to let the colt suckle at the middle 

 of each half day as well as at regular mealtimes. If 

 the mare is warm, she should be allowed to become 

 thoroughly cool before the colt suckles. 



The colt should be encouraged to eat grain early, and 

 after he eats well, should be fed all the oats and alfalfa 

 hay he will consume clean. It is well to feed some native 

 hay, oat, straw, or corn-fodder. Carrots are good for both 

 mare and colt. The colt should have ample exercise and 

 good shelter, and should be pushed to make a gain every 

 day until he reaches full mature weight. A well-fed and 

 well-managed colt at one year will weigh one-half as much 

 as when fully matured. Well-bred draft-colts have been 

 fed on alfalfa and oats to a weight of 900 pounds each 

 the day they were one year old. The most serious loss 

 usually occurs by letting the gain stop the second winter. 



Beef" (Calves) 



Feeding for "baby beef" is profitable in fruit-growing 

 sections where alfalfa is cheap. With feed close to the 

 feed yards, one man can take care of 200 calves. There 

 is a good profit in the feeding, and a large supply of manure 

 for the orchard. The work is done when labor is lightest 

 in the orchard. 



There are two methods: one to market the calves fat 

 at the end of the first winter, and the other to "finish" 

 them at some time during the second winter. The latter 

 plan is most profitable where cheap summer pasture is 

 available. With both methods the calves should be 

 weaned while in prime condition and still gaining every 



