Part 1

THE RED COW AND HER FRIENDS

BY PETER McARTHUR

AUTHOR OF "IN PASTURES GREEN," "THE PRODIGAL AND OTHER POEMS," "TO BE TAKEN WITH SALT," ETC.

TORONTO: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD. NEW YORK: JOHN LANE COMPANY MCMXIX

COPYRIGHT, 1919,

By JOHN LANE COMPANY

Press of J. J. Little & Ives Company New York, U. S. A.

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO ALL CITY MEN WHO FEEL SURE THAT THEY COULD FARM AT A PROFIT. IF EACH ONE BUYS A COPY I CAN AFFORD TO KEEP ON FARMING

PREFACE

It is always a pleasure to avoid responsibility and it gives me a feeling of relief to be able to announce that I am not wholly responsible for this collection of sketches. When it was suggested that I should put together the articles dealing with the Red Cow, and the other farm animals, I felt reluctant to trouble the public with a somewhat frivolous book at the present time. It seemed as if Fate were with me for when it was decided to go on with the book it was found that my file of clippings had been lost. But the matter was still urged and, remembering that at different times readers had written to me saying that they were in the habit of clipping the articles for future reference, I published a paragraph telling of my predicament. The result was that I received clippings from all parts of Canada and some were even sent from neighbouring States.

Through the kindness of my unknown friends I am able to offer a book which they have really edited. Some of the sketches used would have been rejected had I relied on my own judgment, but finding that they had pleased some readers I decided that they might please others. Having the chance to shift the responsibility for the book from my own shoulders, I accepted it joyously. The unknown friends who did me the honour of preserving these articles as they appeared are the real editors.

I can further plead in extenuation that the clippings I have used were all sent to me by people who are familiar with the domestic animals and their habits. This should protect me from any charge of farm-faking.

Ekfrid, Ontario, January, 1919.

CONTENTS

COWS PAGE

I. A SICK COW 15

II. COW TROUBLES 22

III. FLY TIME 26

IV. THE RED COW'S CALVES 29

V. INSURGENT COWS 31

VI. COW TROUBLES 36

VII. THE BRAN HABIT 42

VIII. THE FARROW COW AND OTHERS 43

IX. COW ENJOYMENT 50

X. COW KAISERISM 52

XI. A NIGHT SESSION 55

XII. A CALF PUZZLE 58

XIII. COW CHARACTER 61