310 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



takes milk until 15 months old, a second nurse cow 

 would be required to furnish the same. The nurse cow, 

 as in the case of the dam, should l)e fed with a view to 

 secure a large milk flow. (Ji course, it would be possible 

 to furnish milk in excess. It would be in excess if it 

 seriously disturbed digestion in the calf, or if it too much 

 hindered the taking of other food. 



The character of the milk is important. It is more 

 than questionable if milk high in butter fat is the best. 

 In some instances, especially with young and delicate 

 calves, milk that tests unusually high has unsettled the 

 digestion be^•ond the possibility of recovery, and when 

 the results have not been so serious the appetite 

 has been lessened. Quantity in production in a nurse 

 cow is far more important than high rank in butter 

 fat. The fact is significant that grade Holsteins are, 

 in nearly all instances, selected as nurse cows. It is 

 also important that the cows which furnish milk shall 

 not be chased or worried lest the influence on the milk 

 should disturb the digestion of the calf. 



Fodders fed at different ages. — Reference has al- 

 ready been made to the necessity for distention in the 

 digestive organs, which should begin at a comparatively 

 early period. ( See page 80. ) Such distention is, 

 of course, brought about by feeding fodders and roots, 

 that is, by feeding the more bulky foods. The proper 

 relation in such distention is preserved by feeding the 

 bulky and concentrated foods in due proportion. To 

 preserve this relation calls for the exercise of no little 

 skill and of continual watchfulness on the part of the 

 feeder. Too little distention will retard development. 

 Too much distention means too much of paunchiness 

 which would hold back from show-yard honors. 



The best fodders for feeding in the calf form in- 

 clude clo\'er cut when in blossom and well cured, but 

 early cut alfalfa and pea and oat hay are also good, and 

 the same is true of tiinothv of fine growth and clover 



