14 THE MANAGEMENT ANU FEEDING OF CATTLE 



that due attention should be given to withdrawing the 

 excess of milk remaining in the udder above the needs 

 of the calf. (See page 212. j 



When calves that are suckled are kept separate 

 from the dam, it would seem to be advantageous to 

 allow them to remain with their dams when practicable, 

 in a box stall in winter, or in a stall or small paddock in 

 summer, until they are, say, one week old. The ma- 

 chinery of digestion is thus allowed to begin its work 

 under the most favorable conditions that it is possible to 

 secure. When practicable, the calves should then be 

 allowed to take nourishment from their dams three 

 times a day until they are, say, three weeks old, by 

 which time they will be able to take some food from 

 other sources. 



When thus confined, the nature of the supple- 

 mentary food given will be influenced by the purpose 

 for which the calf is reared. If the object sought is 

 maximum growth at maturity, concentrates and also 

 tlie fodders fed should be rich in protein. Wheat bran, 

 oats, and oilcake should prove suitable in the propor- 

 tions of say 45, 45, and 10 per cent of each, respectively. 

 But other concentrates and combinations of the same 

 may be used, providing they are rich in protein. If but 

 one concentrate is fed, oats will best serve the purpose. 

 If the calves are to be grown for baby beef, bran, oats, 

 and corn, fed in equal parts by measure, will be suit- 

 able. The corn should always be ground, and also the 

 oats, for calves quite young. Such a grain mixture will 

 also prove suitable for pure-bred calves that are to be 

 pushed forward for sale at an early age. For starting 

 them on such food see page 21. Alfalfa and clover 

 finely grown, cut early, and well cured furnish the best 

 roughage, but other fodders may also be used. (See 

 page 23,) For the amount of concentrates to feed and 

 the continuance of the feeding see page 21. 



