The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-10-05
Aarirnltnral Department.
MANAGEMENT Of Calves.

The practice adopted in raising calves,
varies with different dairymen and in differ
ent localities--though within the range of
good veal markets few are raised at all. When
the obiec: is to get rid of the calf as soon as
possible so as 10 come at once into the use
of the milk of the COW, few are kept over
five weeks, and they are very frequently
sold at a much less age. Such calves are
generally allowed 10 suck the COW, and
their management is very simple affair.
But farmers often latten veal for their
own use and TO supply first-rate article for
market. This may be done as economical
ly, perhaps, in regard 10 feed and care, by
keeping the cali shut up in warm and
rather dark stable, and allowing it 10 suck
its dam twice day, as much as it will take
The more quiet it is kept, which confined
space and subdued light promotes, the more
rapidly it will fatten. Cleanliness and pure
air should be attended 10, the calf may be
healthy as well as fat. If the COW gives
less milk than the calf will consume, Cruel,
or iinseed tea may be used 10 supply the
deficiency.
Raising calves for stock is managed in
different ways in different countries. Some
farmers let the calf suck the cow for three
or four months allowing two calves 10 the
cow, and letting tEem run with her at pas.
ture. AT the end OF that time they are left
10 run 10 grass without other food. This
requires little care /; but ii is plan we have
never tried, and so cannot commend it from
experience. We should be glad TO hear,
in regard to its advantages and defects,
from those who have given it fair trial.
One way of "bringlng up by hand" may
be described as follows. When The calf is
day or so old, take it from its dam and
learn it 10 drink her milk, taking ii as drawn
from the COW. This may usually be done
by inserting two fingers in the mouth of the
calf, and placing It's nose in the milk, for
the first few days. after which time it will
generally help itself. Continue the new
month, and then commence adding skim
med milk, first warmed, in place of the
new milk, gradually increasing the quantity
until at the end of the second week it con-
sltuies the entire food o! the calf. As the
season advances, and at two months age,
perhaps it will be necessary 10 warm the
milk, and after time they may be learned
10 take sour milk in the place of sweet,
thriving equally as well.
If little sweet hay is supplied, calves
will learn to eat it al an early age, and, af-
Ter time various kinds of green food and
herbage. 1t is well therefore, to supply
these, and thus early accustom them 10 eat
Tor themselves. When the weather becomes
settled and warm, they should be allowed a
range of pasture, and as they learn to eat
grass, the supply Of milk may be diminish
ell, and at twelve or fourteen weeks may be
entirely withheld. AT first some grain or
meal should be given, and ethink it would
be we'll 10 feed it dry-that they would
wean more kindly, and be less likely 10 re.
tain the habit of sucking each other-which
in some cases, proves very inveierae. In
bringing up on this method, care should be
taken TO feed regularly and about the same
qnantity-too much is worse than too little,
as it makes the calf pot-belied and miss
hapen, and proper Illuminating habits are
not acquired. Good pastures should, if
possible, be kept ever within reach OF the
animal.
Calves are sometimes raised on sour milk
entirely, after the first few days. Others
let the milk stand twelve hours, the skim
and heat blood warm, and add handful of
shorts 10 each mess. Others, still, give but
lutte milk, mixing boiled potatoes, mashed
line and brand, with hot wafer is also added
to the milk ; others give hay tea ,hickened
with brand or shorts. None of these are
better than good sweet milk but are used as
substitutes where the milk is desired Tor
other purposes
AS general thing, calves ought 10 be fed
olener than twice a day when very young.
Their stomachs are small and they would
naturally take iooc several times if allowed
but little attention, however, is given 10
this fact
In conclusion let US copy a hint from
Flint's Dairy Farming, worthy of especial
remembrance
''ln the raising of calves through all the
stages of their growth, great care should be
taken neither 10 starve or 10 over feed. A
calf should never be surfeiled, and never
be fed SO highly that ii cannot be led more
highly as ii advances. The most important
point is 10 keep it growing thriltily without
getting loo fat, If it is 10 be raised for the
dairy"