School: Davidstown (roll number 9682)

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1. Care of Farm Animals

   

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   Cows usually have names:- Snowy, Bell, &c. When driving in or out of field people here say "Chew!" or if a cow is restive when being milked "Chew, now! Chew pet!"
   Calves are called "Suck, suck, suck"!
   Cows are tied to "bales" or posts, sometimes with chains. Tied by neck. A restive cow is sometimes "spancelled" i.e. has a chain or spancel put on her legs when being milked. A spancel is put from a front to a hind leg. A "fetter" is sometimes put on a cow which is inclined to jump ditches - this is put on two front legs. A halter is put around a cow's neck occasionally when she is being taken along the road. The material used - rope & chain are not home made - tho the large staples used in posts are generally made by the local smith.
   A St. Benedict's medal is usually found in cow houses. "Catlle water" blessed by questing friars (Augustinians in this district) is shaken in the house occasionally & is used when an animal is sick. Blessed salt (also blessed by friar) is given them too.
   A milker generally starts "In the Name of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost". If a calf died with "black leg" the leg was cut off & hung behind the cowhouse door to keep this disease away in future.
   A snow white cow appearing among a herd on May day was the sign that butter & milk would be plentiful for the coming year.
   A cinder was put under the churn on May Eve to keep the fairies from taking the butter.

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. agriculture (~2,659)
            1. animal husbandry (~2,587)

   Language

   English

   Collector

   Eilís Leacy

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Ballyeland, Co. Wexford

   Informant

   James Leacy

   Relation

   Parent

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Ballyeland, Co. Wexford