ReariiKj of Calces. 
139 
allowance from tho pail. You can also the sooner reduce the 
quality of the rations, by addition or substitution of other food, so 
as to increase the number of the stock ; and, in a general way, 
the calf learns the sooner to shift for itself. It is certainly a 
matter of occasional convenience to let a pair of calves run with 
a cow which is intended for a barrener, and, after %yeaning, then 
to fatten the nurse. But, if done as a general practice, it so far 
retards the bullings of the cows as to defeat the annual arrange- 
ment for a certain number of calves at a particular season. 
Where suckling from the cow is the rule, five calves may be 
moderately well brought up by an average cow ; two and two in 
succession, and a single calf to finish off with. 
But, under any circumstances, we consider it desirable to allow 
the calf to remain with its dam for the first three or four days after 
calving.* It is undoubtedly the most natural way, and there are 
several advantages connected with it. Youatt expresses himself 
very truthfully Avhen he says, " It is a cruel tiling to separate the 
mother from the young so soon ; the cow will pine, and will be 
deprived of that medicine which nature designed for her, in that 
moisture which hangs about the calf, and even in the placenta 
itself; and the calf will lose that gentle friction and motion which 
helps to give it the immediate use of all its limbs, and which, in 
the language of Mr. Berry, ' increases the languid circulation of 
the blood, and produces a genial warmth in the half-exhausted 
and chilled little animal.' " He further says, and we are glad to 
quote from so high an authority, " In whatever manner the calf 
is afterwards to be reared, it should remain with the mother for 
a few days after it is dropped, and until the milk can be used in 
the dairy. The little animal will thus derive the benefit of the 
first milk, that to which nature has given an aperient property, in 
order that the black and glutinous faeces which had been accumu- 
lating in the intestines during the later months of the foetal state 
might be carried off." Moreover, the cow's udder becomes more 
soft and pliant than it would otherwise be, by the calf being 
allowed to suck for a time. In the case of young cows espe- 
cially — the udders of which are generally hard — it is often ad- 
visable to allow the calf to suck for a couple of weeks. The 
whole of the milk need not be consumed by the calf, but a 
portion drawn into the pail before it is allowed the teat. Thus 
a double purpose is served ; the calf gets the richest (the last) of 
the milk, and the udder is softened the more by its efforts to 
obtain what it requires. 
Not much trouble is generally experienced in getting the calf 
to take to the pail. We find it better to miss the evening's meal, 
and next morning a very little attention induces the majority of 
* This is questionable. See p. 147.— P. H. F. 
