Report on the Agriculture of Sweden and Norwaij. 207 
those in Norway, are milch-cows ; and that in Sweden, of the 
remaining 40 per cent. 24 are young- cattle, and only 16 bulls 
and oxen, the latter being chiefly used in the cultivation of the 
land. Thus the production of milk, and not of meat, is the 
2:reat object of the Scandinavian farmer. 
Following out the national practice a little farther, we find 
that nearly all the male calves are slaughtered as soon as ther 
are born ; and on the larger farms the female calves share the 
same fate, with the exception of from 8 to 10 per cent, where 
the herd is home-bred, to keep up the supply of cows in place 
of those which become barren, or are rendered unprofitable by 
reason of age. A few male calves are sometimes kept to be 
reared as working-oxen, and one or two for use as bulls. 
The calves are frequently killed before they have suckled, but 
in some instances they are kept a day or two, and sold to butchers 
at prices varying from 5s. to IO5. per head, otherwise they are 
consumed on the farm. When a farmer has a superior breed of 
cattle, whether of the native or a foreign race, or a cross, he gets 
higher prices for his calves, both from farmers in his neighbour- 
hood and those at a distance. In such cases, either a price is put 
upon the value of the animal when born, and a certain sum per day 
charged for its keep, or it is sold at a certain age at so much per 
pound live weight, without regard to the special qualities or ex- 
cellencies of the individual animal. 
Old cows of the native race are not often fattened for sale. 
Generally the attempt to fatten would be a failure, and if it suc- 
ceeded would not pay. Working-oxen appear better adapted to 
the feeding process, and sometimes make up to about 1500 lbs. 
live weight, at from 8 to 10 years old. Alany farmers get their 
working-oxen, as they do their cows, by purchasing them either 
direct from the peasants or at public markets, when 5 or 6 years 
old, at an average price of 14/. or 15Z. each. These animals are 
bred by the peasants, and used by them until they become large 
and strong enough to fetch a good price. 
As a rule, the calves are dropped at all times of the year ; but 
the best farmers, unless they send their milk to a town, en- 
deavour, if possible, to obtain cows that will calve soon after 
tliey are tied up for the winter, preferably about the beginning 
<)t November. Two reasons are usuallv given for this preference: 
in the first place, both milk and butter bring better prices during 
the winter ; and in the second, it is said that cows which begin 
to milk soon after they go into the house, give one milking there, 
and a second when they are turned out to grass in the spring. 
In Sweden, the cows are turned out about the beginning of 
June, and remain on the grass until the beginning of October, 
but the practice in such matters must necessarily vary with the 
