Rearing of Calves. 
151 
In cmployiuo^ an artificial substitute for milk, the following 
principles should guide our choice : — 
1st. The nearer we are to nature the better, and the food which 
most resembles milk must be the best for calves. 
2ndlv. Care must be taken that the food be not too rich for 
the young animal. 
iJrdly. (irowth and development of the frame must be pro- 
vided for, to which end the food should contain an ample supply 
of phos])hates. 
Oihuike gruel seems to fulfil these conditions, being less rich, 
and containing a larger percentage in phosphates, than the pui"e 
linseed. We learn, it is true, from Mr. Cuthbert Johnston's excel- 
lent book, ' The Modern Dairy and Cow Keeper,' that " the 
only kind of food in which casein exists is that derived from 
leguminous plants, such as beans, peas, and lentils. When bean- 
flour is softened and ground up with water, and the infusion 
passed through a sieve, the water is found to contain casein, fat 
(butter), and starch. The latter deposits by standing, and the 
infusion has now all the character of skimmed milk, as in fact, 
with the exception of sugar of milk and butter, it is precisely 
identical with it. The addition of some fatty and gummy matter 
(as an infusion of linseed-cake) would moi-e nearly approximate 
it to the composition of ordinary milk ; and it is well worthy of 
remark that in several districts in England, and in many of Scot- 
land, pea or bean soup is very frequently given to young calves." 
In spite of this resemblance between milk and bean or pea 
soup, I confess to giving a preference to oilcake, partly because 
I have no trouble in procuring it, whereas in some seasons I have 
failed altogether in securing a supply of beans or peas, from the 
uncertainty of those crops in my neighbourhood. 
Though doubtless much may bs learned from the practice of 
owners of shorthorns who exhibit at our agricultural shows, I 
fear we should bid adieu to profit if we adopted their mode of 
calf-feeding. I am satisfied no yearling calf is put into a show- 
yard for competition at a less cost than 20/. The fat must be 
put on " regardless of expense;"' a lean calf has not a chance of 
gaining a premium ; and though I cannot defend the system of 
"fat at any price," still, judges must not be condemned who 
pass over a lean animal with a good shape. Early maturity and 
great thrift are characteristics of true shorthorns ; and I must 
confess I should suspect delicacy when I did not at a show see 
ripe condition. 
A good feeder is invaluable to an exhibitor : the ignorant 
herdsman thinks quantity/ is the object; the judicious feeder 
is ever on the watch, adopting the "little and often system," 
changing the food by degrees, and correcting any loosening 
