cows THAT SUCKLE THEIR CALVES 217 



in the growing of show calves, and, as a matter of repu- 

 tation, the breeder of pure-breds should aim to have his 

 cows carry enough flesh at all times to give no room 

 for criticism on the ground of lean condition from those 

 who visit the herd. The food given to them, therefore, 

 must possess ample nutrition to maintain a reasonable 

 condition of flesh, ample succulence, to aid in free milk- 

 ing and sufficient palatability, to insure the consumption 

 of a large enough amount of the same to secure the ends 

 sought. 



It is not absolutely necessary to feed such cows 

 in stalls, but it is important that each cow shall take the 

 meal fed to her separately, which means that she shall 

 be confined in some way and protected while eating it. 

 Whether such cows may be tied in stalls during the 

 winter months without detriment is a disputed point. 

 The balance of opinion is at present opposed to the idea, 

 but the question is not yet to be regarded as absolutely 

 settled. The author kept such cows thus at his River- 

 side farm, Ontario, Canada, for several successive win- 

 ters without any perceptible indications of harm other 

 than that some of them walked a little stiffly for a day 

 or two when first turned out to pasture. But the condi- 

 tions as to ventilation, cleanliness, light and litter were 

 good Such a method is labor-saving. 



The best fodders to feed are clover, mixed hay, or 

 alfalfa. Where enough of these are obtainable at a cost 

 not too great, no other fodders are necessary. Usually, 

 however, corn fodders or corn stover may be more 

 cheaply furnished. When fodders are scarce and high 

 some kinds of straw may be fed, but when so fed the 

 aim should be to chafif and mix it with meal when it is 

 fed. In this way almost any kind of fodder may be 

 used, at least to some extent. 



The succulent foods are, of course, ensilage, field 

 roots and sugar beet pulp. The first may be fed in any 



