cows THAT SUCKLE THEIR CALVES 209 



should increase in flesh, but not to the extent of incur- 

 ring hazard at the time of parturition. 



In winter the shelter of a shed will be sufficient for 

 cows of ordinary value, and no harm should result from 

 a number of them feeding together, providing they are 

 dehorned or even when possessed of horns when it is 

 known that none of them are vicious. It is hazardous 

 to have horses in the same yard, lest they should injure 

 the cows, and the hazard is much increased should colts 

 have access to the same 3'ard. Pedigreed cows of much 

 value should be given a box stall for some time pre- 

 vious to the birth of their young. When thus kept, 

 the element of hazard from injury by other animals may 

 be practically eliminated, since it makes it possible to 

 control the conditions under which they may take exer- 

 cise. Under some conditions in range areas pregnant 

 cows may run at large in winter and gather their own 

 food, but under other range conditions they must be fed 

 during severe weather. For the discussion as to whether 

 they may be confined in the stall during the winter see 

 page 217. 



The food during the rest period of whatever kind 

 should possess the following characteristics : ( i ) It should 

 possess enough protein to properly supply the elements 

 of growth to the fetus. (2) It should be sufficiently 

 nutritious to so maintain the cow that she will be in 

 good flesh when her progeny is born, to fortify the sys- 

 tem against the drain upon its energies during the milk 

 period. (3) It should be possessed of enough succulence 

 to prevent a constipated condition of the digestion. (4) 

 It should be a cheap diet, as the cows are, in a sense, 

 giving no return during this rest period. 



In winter, on the arable farm, hay and corn fodder 

 reasonably well eared, supplemented by a few pounds 

 of field roots fed as succulence, should suffice without 

 grain. The same is true of a diet of clover or mixed 



