334 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



unimportant that it may be neglected. Among the at- 

 tentions that must be given, though some of them to 

 the casual observer may not seem important, are the 

 following; 



1. Careful attention should be given to the udders 

 of the dams from the time the calf is born until it is 

 able to take all the milk furnished by the dam. This 

 period will be determined chiefly by the milking quali- 

 ties of the dam. It may extend from only two or three 

 weeks on to as many months. During this period, the 

 dam should be milked twice a day, and, preferably, after 

 the calf has taken its meal. The milk left in the udder is 

 richest in butter-fat and when it does not go to the calf, 

 it would seem correct to say that the hazard of disturb- 

 ing the digestion is reduced. Experience has shown that 

 milk overrich in butter fat, if given to calves without 

 restriction, is liable to produce scours. When the excess 

 of milk is thus removed twice a day, the hazard of de- 

 rangement in the udder is removed and increased pro- 

 duction is stimulated in the cow. 



2. Castration and spaying should be done reason- 

 ably early, the former not later than, say, four weeks, 

 from birth, and the latter not later than three months. 

 (See pages 394 and 390.) Both should be done in the 

 most careful manner and by the most approved method. 

 If the animals are checked in their growth through any 

 want of proper healing after either operation has been 

 performed, it will tell against them when on exhibition. 

 Neither operation should be left in unskilled hands. 



3. During the milk period should the evidences of 

 scouring appear in any severe form, the quantity of 

 milk fed should be greatly reduced and with much 

 promptness. It may be necessary to withhold it alto- 

 gether for a few meals, according to the severity of the 

 attack. Usually prompt action will effect a cure, but 

 full quantities of milk should not be allowed again 

 until the digestion is restored. It happens, in some in- 



