Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-03-20
horticultural.
REAR YOUR HELPER GAINES.


Good cows in the ncighborhood of Boston,
and at the Brighton and Cambridge markets
have, for more than year past, been bring
ing from thirty-fye to fifty dollars, and the
supply, at these prices, has scarcely been
equal to the demand. Cows that are of large
size and that give an extraordinary quantity
of milk through a large portion of the year,
sell at prices varying from sixty-hve to one
hundred dollars Good looking two-year
old heiiers, in calf, of almost any breed. sell
quickly at from thirty to forty dollars, and if
of some particular breed and of supposed
merit, frequently command fifty dollars. Milk
is in demand and will continue to be so. and
ought to be supplied to the cities by those
living near them, in abundance and of the
best quality.
We are aware that oven with those who
can winter from ten to forty head of cattle, it
Is often found inconvenient to rear the calves
and produce their own cows. The calves re-
quire constant and careful attention, and when
old enough TO feed themselves, pasturage is
deficient. But under the circumstances we
have mentioned, we think the time has come
when most of the farmers in New England
can raise at least portion of their heiier
calves at profit. BY judicious selection
of the best, both in physical appearance and
of the most approved blood, and with careful
feeding, they will soon be likely to get stock
of cows surprising any that have vet graged
our New England pastures
Many persons hesitate to rear the calf be-
cause they cannot spare the milk for it. and
because they are not acquainted with any
mode of rearing without using most of the
milk. While we confess our belief that the
calf will grow more thriitily, and do better
generally when allowed to take. in its own
way, the food which nature has provided for
1t, we also believe a substitute may be pro-
vided, in the main, which will answer very
well, if accompanied with careful attention
ON our own part.
The calf should be allowed to suck one
week, both ON his own account and that OF
the cow After this take two OF three quarts
of milk just drawn from tho COW. into which
insert the hand and the head of the calf and
place one or two fingers in the mouth. When
this has been practicod few DAYS. take sweet
clover and timothy hay, cut it and put two or
three quarts into a kettle with water and bring
1t t. the boiling point-then allow it to soak
or simmer for two or three hours, but not
hot Al the next time of feeding the cali
mix little of this sweet hay tea with its milk.
and gradually increase the quantty-lessen-
ing the milk-untl the calf will take il as
readily as 1t ever did the milk alone After
while little meal Of corn, oats, barley OF
buck-wheat may be added and when the
calf is disposed to cat, fine red-top hay OF
sweet clover, or oats wet little over night.
will be particularly acceptable
As soon as the short, tender grass appears
in the spring, one or two calves may be tied
out near the buildings, on land that would
otherwise be Of little profit, and by occasion
ally changing their position, aud feeding then
little beside, they may be carried through
the summer with an expense so trihing that
almost any one may incur it and beside that
they Will soon become great pets of the fam.
lily. The second year If pasturage is short
at home they may be sent away.
by this course, in three or four wears Mas
sachusetts, at least, may be stocked with tho
best cows she has ever had, and produced
upon her own soil. The small farmer NAV
adopt this method and very soon. without
really feeling that he has incurred much ex-
pense' find himself in possession Of several
cows whose profitable qualities will scarcely
admit OF doubt, and whose ages he will
know. We find these opinions freely ex.
pressed by some Of our best farmers, and
particularly by those engaged in producing
milk