268 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



rope, to let him know he has a master. He •will not soon forget 

 it, if so kept for a few days. The rearing is done in various ways, 

 according to the necessities of the keeper of the cow, and the use 

 which is to be made of the milk. The interest of the dairyman 

 is apt to give the calf as little food in new milk as possible; but 

 for the benefit of the calf it should have undiluted milk for a 

 week or ten days, at the shortest. After that time, the new- 

 milk may be slackened, and skimmed milk added. Flax seed, 

 boiled for hours, into a jelly, may be mixed with it, slightly at 

 first, and in a few days, to the extent of one-half this food may 

 be given ; or, in its place, fine boiled Indian, oat, or barley meal 

 gruel, mixed with the milk, may be substituted. 



But, the calf should always have enough to satisfy its hunger, 

 and fed regularly, as to time, twice a day, at morning and even- 

 ing. If not at a time to turn to grass, and kept in a stable, a 

 wisp of fine sweet hay should be tied in a cord, and suspended 

 against the wall, or loosely laid in a manger, where it can nibble 

 it. The hay will amuse the calf, at the least, and it soon learns 

 to love it, aside from adding much to its nourishment. As soon 

 as the grass is ready, it should be turned into a small paddock to 

 range at will. If running water be not at hand, it should be 

 provided in a tub, or trough, that constant access may be had to 

 it — for your calf is a great drinker, aside from its ordinary meals 

 of milk, or gruel. This process of feeding should be continued 

 during quite four months, or longer, according to the purpose for 

 which it is to be reared, with a little salt, either in its food, or 

 placed in a trough, as often as once a week, to keep its bowels 

 regular, and promote its general health. In a dairy, whey may 

 take the place of skimmed milk, and where whey is not made, 

 and skimmed milk is scarce, after the first six weeks, flax seed 

 jelly, or gruel porridge, may be used altogether. Otlier substi- 

 tutes may take its place, hut nothing is so natural food for the 

 calf as milk. 



