The husbandman, farmer and grasier's compleat instructor. Containing choice and approved rules, and directions for breeding, feeding, chusing, buying, selling, well ordering and fatning bulls, cows, calves, rams, ews, lambs, swine, goats, asses, mules, &c. : How to know the several diseases incident to them, by their signs and symptoms, with proper remedies to cure them; : as likewise all griefs, and sorrances what-ever. : Also, a treatise of dogs, and conies, in their breeding, ordering, and curing the distempers they are subject to. : To which is added, The experienced vermine-killer, in particular directions, for taking and destroying all sorts of vermine in houses, out-houses, fields, garden, graneries, and other places. / By A.S. Gent.

Proper Seasons for a Heifer or Cow, to take the Bull; and what is to be considered therein, as to a good breed.

SInce England abounds in Cattle, and by the well Ordering and Breeding them, Riches, and Plenty of Provisions, accrue, not only to the industrious Hus∣bandman and Dealer in them, but to all sorts of People; it is highly necessary that such Rules and Directions should be lay'd down for their Increase, Im∣provement and Preservation, as so useful and profitable a Subject requires; and first, of Kine:

The most proper time for the Heifer to have the com∣pany of the Bull, is at Three Years old, in order to a good

Breed; for, if younger, it hinders her growth much, in∣feebles her, and makes her produce Weaklings, or un∣healthy Calves: Nor for these Reasons, on the other hand, is it convenient she should be covered after Twelve Years, especially if the Calf be intended for a Cow or Ox: The best time to let her be with the Bull, is from the Tenth of May, to the Tenth of June; for then by feeding she is lively of body, and will produce her Calf in a warm season.

When you find her inclinable to be covered, (which you may know by the swelling of her Claws, her conti∣nual Lowings and running to the Hedges or Banks when she hears her self answered, or sees any Cattle pass by; by her looking up and scewling the Air, as if she smelt the Bull) then put her into good and easie Pasture, turn the Bull to her, and it will not be long e're she kindly receives him. If you design for breed, look well to the Limbs and proportion of your Bull, and chuse, above others, one that's mostly of a red Colour, Sprightly, and not exceeding Five Years; his Body long, and not over thick, his Neck and Horns thick and short, a broad curling Front, his Eyes lively, and of a black shining, his Tail long and bushy, and therest of his parts proportionable to his Body; free from Diseases or Imperfections. Let him be in good case, and not suddenly taken from other Cows: If he refuse to cover her, smoak his Nostrils with the dry'd Herb called ••arts-Tail, sprinkled in a Chassing-Dish of Coals, which will incline him to lustful desires; as also the Juice of Sea-Onions, given him with new Ale, or sweet Wine.

The Heifer or Cow having kindly received the Bull Twice or Thrice, put her into an inclosed Pasture, where she cannot leap to injure her self, or lose what she re∣tains, or oceasion the casting of her Calf, when come to any perfection; see it be free from Bryers, Thorns, or the like, watered with a clear Spring, or running Brook, &c. and give her now and then Water wherein Bran or Wheat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been boyled.