Elements of practical agriculture; comprehending the cultivation of plants, the husbandry of the domestic animals, and the economy of the farm / By David Low.

  • Low, David, 1786-1859.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of practical agriculture; comprehending the cultivation of plants, the husbandry of the domestic animals, and the economy of the farm / By David Low. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    sume, however, will gradually increase to nearly 2 gallons more, or about 3 gallons in all; and this feeding may be continued for twelve weeks, when the animal is to be put into the course of being weaned, and in one month more completely weaned. The milk given to the calf is new milk, that is, milk directly from the cow. The milk, however, may be economised, by employing substitutes to a limited extent, and, in this manner, the milk of one cow be made to rear more than one calf. The best substitutes are fari¬ naceous food, as meal and porridge. Linseed or oil-cake can be given ; by using a little of these dissolved in the milk, its nourish¬ ing properties may be increased to any degree required. The calf should be fed three times in the day, regularly at a fixed hour. After twelve weeks, the use of new milk may be given up, and skimmed milk substituted, making it lukewarm, and gradually lessening the quantity ; and in the course of one month more, that is, in four months in all, the animal may be entirely weaned. This, indeed, is more liberal feeding than is usually deemed necessary ; yet it is a great error to stint animals in their food at this age, with the view of economising milk. It is from this cause that many stunted animals are to be seen in the hands of breeders, that never afterwards attain to a good size, nor acquire a disposition to fatten. During the period of feeding with milk, the animals will be taught by degrees to supply themselves with food. For this pur¬ pose, when the season is not sufficiently advanced, a bunch of sweet hay, or any green herbs, should be placed within reach of the animals; and a little salt may be given, which they will soon learn to lick, when placed beside them. If the weather allows, they may be turned into a yard for a few hours in the day, and after a time, when the weather becomes mild, into a little pad- dock, containing sweet grass, housing them at first at night, un¬ til they shall be fully hardened to the air. The males, when not intended for propagating, may be cas¬ trated when thirty days old. The operation is easily performed, by two incisions with a sharp knife. An analogous operation is