REARING STOCK CALVES. 273 



It has been, and is still, a matter of discussion vrith breeders, 

 as to what extent the growth of a heifer calf should be forced, 

 to attain her best estate, as a breeder, and to promote improve- 

 ment in her kind. So far as we can learn, Bakewell was a gen- 

 erous feeder of his young stock, and forced them by such means 

 to early maturity, and increased ripeness in their points. So too, 

 but hardly in so great degree, were the Collings, and the Booths. 

 Bates, perhaps an equal improver with any other breeders of his 

 later day, fed well, but not so lavishly as they. But all good 

 breeders, of whom we have any particular account, fed their 

 stock freely. Almost aU the imported cattle which we have seen 

 — ^bulls, cows, heifers, and calves alike, came over, in very high 

 condition — in most cases, "stall fed." Whether they were so 

 fed at home to better fill the eye of the purchaser there, or for sale 

 after landing here, or because the whole stock of their breeders 

 were usually so kept at home, we do not know; but it is certain 

 tljat heifers so forced from calf-hood do not usually prove so sure 

 breeders, as when only well fed, without the forcing process. 

 No doubt high feeding produces earlier maturity in the young 

 heifer than low keep will do; and, it is possible that the high 

 feeding of heifers xip to their breeding age may have a marked 

 effect on the fleshy propensities of their offspring. But the 

 process is not a natural one, and it should be managed with great 

 caution. 



Where competition actively exists for sale breeding, the ten- 

 dency for high feeding is almost irrepressible. The merits of 

 young animals are too often decided on the show grounds of the 

 annual cattle exhibitions in favor of the highest fed ones, and in 

 the beef producing breeds the practice may not be objectionable. 

 But for milking purposes it should never be done, as the milking 

 tendency may be held in abeyance by over fatness, and it should 

 not be prematurely stimulated for the welfare and long useful- 

 ness of the future cow. Breeders usually pursue that course 

 12' 



