This also met with the ridicule of all the "old-timers"; but it was entirely successful! The calf crop was not only a very large one but the calves were dropped all about the same time, were thus of an even age (an important matter for dealers), and they "came" when their mothers were strong and had lots of milk.
Young cows and heifers having their first calves had to be watched very closely, and we had often to help them in delivery.

It may also be mentioned here that the sight of a green, freshly-skinned hide, or a freshly-skinned carcass, will frequently cause cows to "slink" their calves.

The smell of blood too creates a tremendous commotion amongst the cattle generally; why, is not quite known.
I also made a practice in early spring of taking up weak or poor cows that looked like needing it, putting them in a separate pasture and feeding them on just two pounds of cotton-seed meal once a day; no hay, only the dry, wild grass in the small pasture.

The good effect of even such a pittance of meal was simply astounding.

Thereafter I do not think I ever lost a single cow from poverty or weakness.