66 



III. After several weeks of that treatment, the following was adopted as being 

 preferable : 2^ drachms of bichloride of mercury were dissolved in 3^ ounces of 

 glycerine and 3J ounces of alcohol ; after these had united, 4| gallons of rain water 

 were added. (The mixture should be kept in a wooden vessel, out of the reach of 

 irresponsible persons, and animals). The bare skin under the tail and around that 

 part was moistened once a day with the solution. 



TV. The cows, which formerly had been turned out into a large yard every day 

 for water, were watered from troughs in front of their stalls. 



V. When a pregnant cow showed any sysmptoms of approaching abortion — and 

 these are, slight relaxation of the muscles surrounding the vulva, restlessness and a 

 continuous slight elevation of the tail — she was at once put into a box stall, where 

 she was free from disturbance or causes of excitement. One-ounce doses of tincture 

 of opium were given in the feed — even three times a day for one or two days until a 

 quiet and slightly sluggish condition prevailed. Drenching with medicine was 

 avoided. 



The result is — and it is mentioned with hesitation and fear, lest the dread abor- 

 tions should occur again — that since the system of treatment has been adopted 13 

 cows have given safe delivery to calves at the natural time, and only one case of 

 abortion has occurred, and that could be accounted for satisfactorily. That covers a 

 period of three and ahalf months. During the preceding ten months there were 13 

 births at the natural time, and 14 piematurely, at from four and a-half to eight 

 months. 



The preceding six paragraphs have been copied from my report of 1890. 

 During 1891 the number of births at the natural time was 34. There were 3 cases of 

 abortion ; one of these was that of a cow which had a similar misfortune last season ; 

 another of the cases could be accounted for afterwards, in so far as it was discovered 

 that The cow was affected with an incurable disease, which had a tendency to provoke 

 uterine disorders ; the third case was that of a grade heifer, and for it no satisfac- 

 tory reason could be assigned. Ther« were also two cases of still-born calves. 



Lice an Cattle. 



Government property has no greater immunity from the attacks of parasites 

 than that of private individuals, and during the winter of 1890-91 some of the cattle 

 became infested with lice. That fact is mentioned for the purpose of stating that a 

 most effective, safe and simple treatment can be given by applying a kerosene 

 emulsion. The method of preparation is described thus in Bulletin No. 11, prepared 

 by Mr. Fletcher, Entomologist: — 



Kerosene (coal oil) 2 gallons 



Eain water 1 do 



Soap , , ^ pound 



" Boil the soap in the water till all is dissolved ; then, while boiling hot, turn it 

 into the kerosene, and churn it constantly and forcibly with a syringe or force 

 pump for five minutes, when it will be of a smooth, creamy nature. If the emulsion 

 be perfect it will adhere to the surface of glass without oiliness. As it cools it 

 thickens into a jelly-like mass. This gives the stock emulsion." 



For use on the cattle it was diluted with 18 times its measure of water. Besides 

 killing the lice, it seemed to have a beneficial action on the hair and skin. One- 

 quarter of the quantity mentioned above is sufficient for a large hejd. 



Dehorning. 



On 3rd December the operation of dehorning was performed on 4 three-year 

 old steers, and on one Jersey bull five years old. 



Through questions which have been asked at conventions and farmers' insti 

 tutes, and by letters which have been received, an opinion has been asked repeatedly 

 during the past two years upon the subject of dehorning cattle. Farmers who have 

 sufficient open-shed or closed-in-shed convenience for the fattening of steers if they 

 could be allowed to run loose with safely, have made frequent applications for 

 information. The practice has become common in many of the States of the Union. 



