270 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



In the extracts which we have previously given in the chap- 

 ters on the G-alloway and Ayrshire breeds of cattle, will be found 

 valuable information in rearing stock calves, to which we refer 

 the reader. It may be thought superfluous to have introduced 

 it; but on so important a subject, none too much information can 

 be suggested. 



CALVES FOR VEAL, 



Should have all the milk, direct from the cow, that they will 

 take, until four to six weeks old, with corn meal added, if they 

 will take it. No artificial feeding will make them so fit for that 

 purpose as their mother's milk, drawn by themselves; and it 

 may be added, that no veal made otherwise is worth eating. 

 Veal calves should be confined to a small space, with clean bed- 

 ding, and pure air. Otherwise, their flesh may be tainted with 

 the effluvia of foul stables. 



CALVES RUNNING WITH THE COWS. 



This, at the best, is both a loose, and a bad practice. We are 

 aware that in many localities, where land is of low value, the 

 milk of little account, and labor dear, many farmers let their 

 calves run at large with the cows through the season. As calves, 

 they are the better for it, no doubt; but as yearlings, and after- 

 wards, they are but little better than when well reared by hand, 

 and not so good as when kept separate from the cow, and 

 suckled at regular hours. They never should run loose with the 

 cow, for various reasons: 



1st. It is a practice of neglect on the part of the breeder, 

 which should not be tolerated. The cow brings her calf when 

 lying out in the field, and may, possibly, sufier much in parturi- 

 tion, when a little aid would make everything easy and comfort- 

 able for her. If her udder be full, and she give more milk than 

 the calf may need at first, which is almost always the case, one 

 or more of the teats will be neglected by it. These teats become 



