30 
Report on the Agriculture of Belgium. 
Calves are fattened in some districts, the food consisting 
entirely of milk at first, then bread and milk, in large and 
gradually increasing quantities ; but it is necessary to be careful 
not to give too much, otherwise they get diarrhoea. Should this 
occur the milk is withheld, and the diet altered to lukewarm 
soaked bread which has been boiled in water. The food is given 
at stated times with great regularity, generally in three meals 
per day. 
Pig. 5. — The Cattle-feeding of La Petite Culture. 
In all well-regulated farms it is considered essential to have 
the power of preventing beasts from obtaining access to the 
vessel in which their food is ordinarily given, whenever that may 
be deemed desirable. This is effected in two ways ; either the 
food is given in a trough, separated from the animals by a screen 
furnished with trap-doors (see Fig. 5), or the prepared food is 
given in tubs (Fig. 4j, which are placed in the troughs or on a 
bench, and can be taken away at pleasure. The object is to 
ensure the regular feeding of the animals ; to ascertain, by a 
cow's appetite, the state of its health ; and to enable the tubs and 
troughs to be kept thoroughly clean. The same principle is 
carried out in feeding calves by putting baskets over their noses ; 
and also in the construction of pig-troughs by a swinging shutter 
which may be bolted to the front or back of the trough. The 
cattle are usually nearly pure Dutch; but a cross of " Durham" 
is very much prized. 
In large towns the small farmer can sell his milk at the re- 
munerative price of 2\d. per quart ; but where such a market 
does not exist, the milk is made into butter, which at \s. per lb. 
gives something less than half that return. 
