'234 



\^eeks a small tubercle may be felt under the skin; now absorption has com- 

 menced on the inside, extending the frontal sinus, and deposit is taking place 

 outside under the skin, and a core for the horn has commenced forming. Now 

 is probalily the best time to dishorn, and a pocket-knife or scalpel is a convenient 

 instrument for performing the operation. The bald skin with a border of one- 

 fourth of an inch wide of hair-covered skin, togethei- with the cartilaginous 

 button or tubercle beneath, may all be easily severed with a single cut and in a 

 moment. But a few drops of blood are lost, the periosteum which secretes the 

 bony core and the portion of skin which secretes the horn are removed with 

 little pain to the calf and in a few days it is well. 



The beneficial results of dehorning are recapitulated as follows: 



It prevents these animals from wounding and bruising and famLshing one 

 another, saves a vast amount of time in handling, of room in sheltering, and of 

 feed stuff. Beeves are fatted for market with much les« expense of feed and in 

 less time. They go into the markets, as attested by the dealers at the great 

 cattle depots, in much better condition, having whole hides and unbruised flesh, 

 both of which sell more promptly and at better prices, while the cost of trans- 

 portation of the live animals is much less, because a larger number can be 

 packed in each car. For like reasons the milk, cream, and butter product is 

 increased in quantity and impi'oved in quality. 



