FARM DAIRYING 



roots with bran may be given in winter, and rather 

 short pasture in summer, so as to give her the 

 necessary exercise. For several diays before the 

 calf is expected, the cow should be kept in a box 

 stall with plenty of clean litter. 



Keep a strict gestation table and look at it fre- 

 quently to know when the cows are due to calve. 

 Allow 285 days for a cow to drop her calf. In ten 

 days to two weeks before due to calve, her udder 

 should commence to fill out. Give her exercise. 

 Her hind legs in walking rub her udder better than 

 an attendant can do, and help to ward off udder 

 troubles. A large full udder may naturally cake 

 when the cow is near to freshening; but this con- 

 dition need not cause alarm. Take her for a 

 long walk but do not let her chill after returning 

 to the barn. If the udder is very much distended, 

 relief may be given by drawing a little milk at 

 intervals, but care must be exercised in this respect. 



See that the bowels are in good condition. If 

 not, give a ration of succulent, laxative food; fre- 

 quent bran mashes are helpful. In extreme cases 

 a dose of salts and ginger may be given. Many 

 veterinarians prescribe a good dose of salts and 

 ginger just before the cow is due to calve. 



It pays to watch the cow that is dry, so as to 

 keep her in health, in order to get a good strong 



[52] 



