12 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



may involve too much outlay for high-priced food. It 

 ma}' prove more economical to be content with less rapid 

 development, and to take a longer time to reach the end 

 sought. Conditions affect materially the exact method 

 to be followed. 



Calves reared on their dams. — When calves are 

 reared on their dams during the milk period on the 

 arable farm, they are sometimes allowed to remain with 

 them all the while, but in other cases and more com- 

 monly, they are confined, and only allowed to nurse the 

 cows at stated intervals, usually morning and evening. 

 Of course, under range conditions, the calf remains at all 

 times with the dam. Under farm conditions, as a rule, 

 only pure-bred calves are allowed to remain with the 

 dam all the while until weaned, and in a majority of 

 cases even these are only allowed to suck the dams at 

 stated intervals. When more than one calf is suckled 

 by each cow, it would not be practicable to allow the 

 calves to remain with their dams, as one might get more 

 than its rightful share of milk, and from the frequency 

 with which both would seek food, would become a source 

 of unrest to the cow. Calves that are to be vealed will 

 do better, as a rule, when they take their milk from the 

 dam, but it is not imperative that they be so reared. 



The following are chief among the advantages from 

 rearing calves on their dams: (i) They are started in 

 growth under conditions that are most favorable to a 

 healthy development, as they take their food from the 

 dam without excessive haste, as in the case of calves that 

 drink it down quickly, and they also take it with that 

 frequency which is conducive to healthful assimilation. 

 (2) A proper amount of exercise is secured, which is 

 conducive to the development and maintenance of 

 stamina. (3) Much less labor is called for in caring 

 inv the calf. 



