CALVES FROM BIRTH UNTIL ONE YEAR OLD 25 



limit of the capacity to digest it is favorable to large 

 growth, but with suitable adjuncts nearly as much 

 growth can be secured with a moderate amount of milk 

 as with a maximum amount of the same, and at less 

 cost. It would seem correct to say that usually it 

 would be safe to begin with 6 pounds of milk daily, giv- 

 ing 8 pounds at the end of the first week, and to add 

 I pound each week subsequently until the age of lo to 

 12 weeks is reached. An}' excess of milk given at once 

 disturbs the digestion, and is usually followed by too 

 lax a condition of the bowels. 



The period during which milk should be fed will 

 depend to some extent on such considerations as the 

 purpose for which the calf is reared and on the milk 

 supply. Where at all practicable, it should be fed for 

 not less than three months, and it is seldom necessary 

 to feed it for a longer period than four months. When 

 calves suck their dams and milk is furnished for but 

 one or two, they are usually allowed to take milk for 

 five to seven months. Skim milk has been fed to calves, 

 and in la.-ge quantities, until fully i8 months old, and 

 with satisfactory results when seeking the largest 

 growth attainable at an early age. Skim milk is pecu- 

 liarly well qualified to furnish large development of 

 muscle. 



Calves when reared on whey. — The testimony of 

 experienced growers is practically^ unanimous that calves 

 should not be fed whey in large quantities until they are 

 at least six weeks old, but that after that age is reached 

 the liquid portion of the diet may be gradually changed 

 from skim milk to whey, taking one or two weeks to 

 make the change. To feeding whey at an earlier age 

 there are the following objections: (i) It is too lack- 

 ing in the elements of nutrition to properly sustain 

 calves, until they have learned to partake freely of sup- 

 plementary concentrates. (2) The quantity called for, 



