ON THE REARING OF CALVES.

Otago Witness, Issue 621, 24 October 1863, Page 6

ON THE REARING OF CALVES.

This suhi

oet demantb tlie attentian_oi'.ourjya\v-Zi'..-i. ....^ «uih«s, v ih'mg a matter or great moment as regards the meat producing- capabilities of the country. Tun subject is at the present time taxing the abilities of our legislators as to the free importation of foreign cattle, which, according to the present high price of beef, scums to demand a repeal of the Act which prohibits the introduction of live stock from the Australins. I have it from the mouth of an old settler, of twenty years standing in the Colony, that one half the calves born in the Province die I His words are as follows : '• They get starved when young, and to save a shilling in butter, they (the -settlers) lo«e a pound on their stock." He says some will have fifteen to twenty calve*, and lose them nearly all. They call it bad luck, but I call it bad management. He goes on to Bay they require a bit of hay in the winter, and shelter, instead of being turned out at three months old and 6tarved.

Now, I think such a statement should open the eyes of breeders of stock to see the necessity of providing food and shelter for young cattle. A description of a rtugh stockyard is given in another place, and I fed more convinced than ever that all young animals require especial care. This may appear a long introduction to my subject, but nevertheless necessaiy. Well, to begin : my plan is to take the calf away from its mother immediately, if possible, it Ls calved or at least before the cow is sufficiently acquainted with its young. This saves a great deal of trouble, and has been found to answer well. The cow goes with young nine month*, and she receives the bull at two years old. It is not well to breed at an earlier age. The cow should calve in the spring, as there is then plenty of grass for them. If the calf is to be fattened for the butcher, it is allowed to suck the cow until it becomes good veal; but another system is pursued if it Ls to be reared. Tiie calf must have plenty of food, for if this be not supplied a poor half starved animal is the result. A gallon of milk per day v> ill be at first required, which is increased to three gallons or more. I have used with the milk a handful of wheat meal every time it is fed, which should be three times n day; oatmeal is also twed; it should be scalded first and given to the calf in the form of gruel. At the onset of this kind of rearing it will he necessaiy to warm the milk, which is put into a bucket, the hand being introduced into the milk and the calf allowed to stick tho fingers. After a day or two they will drink the milk or gruel without any difficulty. As they grow, a small quantity of hay must be given to suck and so become accustomed to cat; also small slices of manffolsb or turnips, which they will in they will in time get accustomed to and eat it. After this they may be turnpd into a grass paddock in warm weather or into the stockyard throughout the day, but must nave dry shelter throughout the night, until they become strong enough to remain out entirely, but must always have access to good food in abundance, with plenty of water. Calves that are reared in this way become quiet, and of more value when grown up than stock introduced from distant places, which often are a long while settling. In fact, in order to escape these animals wander all round the frnces endenvorhV to break through, which thpy often succeed in, and lead your quiet cattle into mischief, teaching them iildo to jump fences and destroy growing crops.

r-URCHASING STOCK.

In purchasing stock tor a new farm, it is well to purchase cows with calves at foot, as by shutting up the cilves for a short time the cows get accustomed to the place, and will not attempt to wander away from thPii 1 of&pnng. This plan may save you a vast amount of trouble, for if a mixed luW of cattle is brought to a strange place they will not be contented and often go back to their accustomed run. In purchasing cattle also, care must be taken in putting them at first on the young spring grass, which is ajH to scour them, especially it they have been accustomed to dry food, which is generally the case with cattle taken from off hoard ship. Such great and sudden change are injurious, and often attended by a serious l<bs. To remedy this they should have a portion of liny or olher dry food supplied them at fiivst. The ainic danger would not attend them should they be landed in the summer or autumn, at which time the grn« « matured and more steady than spring gross.