264 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



well to remember that one physically tired may be depended 

 on to be quiet and easily managed ; hence the importance of 

 much exercise. 



When possible, it is much better to keep the bull in the 

 presence of the herd than stabled by himself, in a lonely place, 

 as is so often the case. 



It is a common practice among dairymen to use immature bulls 

 and to dispose of them before their merits as sires are known. 

 This is because bulls of some age are likely to be vicious and 

 dangerous. Many a good bull has been sold for beef only be- 

 cause he was not easily managed and it was thought desirable 

 to dispose of him before some one was injured. A bull that 

 is known to get good offspring should be kept as long as he 

 is useful as a sire. 



Ringing the bull. — Many neglect to ring the bull calf under 

 the erroneous impression that it is a difficult task. On the other 

 hand, it is very easy. All one needs to do is punch ahole through 

 the membrane between the two nostrils, insert the ring, and screw 

 it together. If one has a bull-ringing punch to make the hole, it 

 is much easier, but in the absence of the punch the hole may be 

 made with a knife, placing the ring in as the blade is drawn 

 out. To restrain the calf it must be tied up securely by the 

 head. The ringing of an older bull is more difficult because of 

 the difficulty of restraining him. 



THE DAIRY BARN 



The dairy cow is perhaps the most difficult of farm animals 

 to stable properly. The purpose for which she is kept, that of 

 supplying milk; the use to which the milk is put, that of 

 human food ; the condition in which it is used, being raw ; the 

 place from which it is drawn, being exposed to greatest filth; 

 the manner in which it is drawn, by hand and often by unclean 

 milkmen ; and the condition of her dung or manure, as well as 

 the fact that if maximum production is to be obtained, she 



