CARE OF THE COW AT CALVING. 203 



tage in this treatment is in having your cows in the best fix possible for giving 

 largest result at the pail. Should, however, milk fever make its appearance 

 (which is very seldom the case), then I apply the lancet, and take blood away 

 according to age and size say a cow weighing 1,200 to 1,400 pounds, six years 

 old, not less than from six to seven quarts; and smaller or older cows in propor- 

 tion. Of course, if above has to be resorted to, she will not do as well in quan- 

 tity or quality of milk for that season as though depleting had not been 

 necessary." 



A. C. Hallman writes as follows: "It is of first importance to have the 

 animal in a strong, healthy condition. When the system is in good tone and 

 health there is very little danger. Nature is so wonderfully perfect that if we 

 only study her conditions there is little fear of trouble. With heavy milkers 

 much stimulating food must be avoided, and laxative food should be provided. 

 The bowels must be kept open. In winter a few roots and corn ensilage are 

 very useful, if given in such quantities as not to cause a rush of milk, only 

 enough to keep up thrift. Precaution must be taken a fortnight before calving 

 and as long after. Before calving the danger is of inflamed udder, after calv- 

 ing garget, milk fever and other troubles of a similar nature. I find a little oil 

 cake meal given daily a month previous is most valuable to throw all impuri- 

 ties out of the blood and remove danger of retention of afterbirth. Prevention 

 is always the best cure. A roomy box stall should always be provided, well 

 littered. The cow should be placed there a week before calving. Tie up before 

 calving to prevent laying against partitions. Assistance can also be rendered 

 more readily when necessary if the cow is tied. 



"It is best to remove the calf soon, before the cow and calf get attached. I 

 find it best not to remove the milk all at once. It seems to chill the system, 

 and increases the danger of milk fever. A few pounds of Epsom salts lessens 

 that danger. Light feeding is required for at least a \veek, and in many cases 

 more. With inflamed udder I have found hot water fomentations very bene- 

 ficial; afterwards a free application of soap, then rubbed into a thick lather. 

 This has given me very good results. Prevent extreme exposures, either hot or 

 cold. Never allow a draft, nor too close confinement." 



Our readers will notice that on most of the points touched upon in the 

 above communications breeders are in close agreement; while details of prac- 

 tice differ, the principles are the same. The salient points may be summed up 

 as follows: 



1. Preferably, let the cow go dry from four to eight weeks before calving, 

 but do not force her dry. If she begins to spring before completely dry, con- 

 tinue milking regularly. The best methods of drying off are well stated by Mr. 

 Roe, and there are but few cows that cannot be safely dried in this way. 



2. Have the cow in thrifty, vigorous condition, but not fat. Feed no 

 cornmeal, or stimulating, heating grain ration for some weeks prior to calving. 

 Bran is the best grain for this period, with possibly an addition of ground oats 

 or oil meal if the cow is run down. 



3. See that bowels are loose. A good many give, in 'every case, a dose of 

 salts a few days before or just after calving. Some give a dose at both times. 



4. Provide a warm, dry, roomy box stall, with plenty of dry bedding, to 

 which the cow should be removed long enough before she calves so that she 

 may become wonted to her new surroundings. 



5. Keep from drafts of cold air, and from becoming chilled in any way, 

 especially just at the time of and after calving. One most successful breeder 

 deems this so important that he blankets the cow immediately after calving. 



6. Shortly after calving give a bran mash or pail of warm slops. Give no 

 cold water for at least two days, and then only a little at a time at first. 



7. Let the cow be kept in the barn, at least nights, whatever the season or 

 the weather, when she is liable to calve. During the day, in the summer sea- 

 son, there is no objection to her running in a pasture where she can be occa- 

 sionally observed. 



