432 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



that would ingeniously unhook a gate, or open a door, even when 

 properly latched, or otherwise fastened; but such have been rare. 

 The only sure remedy for such disturbances is fattening and 

 slaughter. It is the best use they can be put to, unless of great 

 value for breeding, or labor, and if so retained, secure confine- 

 ment is the best remedy. "We dislike to see a creature going 

 about in the pasture with a board hung over its face, or with a 

 poke on, or hobbled. They are thus apt to be set upon by other 

 animals, as they are taken unawares without the means of defence, 

 or escape, and thus frequently injured. Besides, their example 

 is bad. "Evil communications corrupt good manners,"- among 

 cattle as among men. Better to have them out of the way at 

 once, as their examples may be contagious. 



COWS SUCKING THEMSELVES. 



This is another bad trick. We dislike to see a cow going 

 about the pastures with a frame-work around her neck. Better 

 serve her the same as the breachy one, and rid the herd of her 

 presence. "We never had a creature of the kind, and if we had, 

 would not take the pains to make the complicated machinery for 

 its protection, unless she were of very choice blood, whose pres- 

 ervation was worth any amount of pains to keep her under 

 proper control. 



HOOKING QUARRELING. 



Animals may be prevented from much mischief by putting 

 balls of either wood, pewter, or brass (the latter are best,) on 

 the ends of their horns. They may be either riveted on, or 

 screwed firmly. The manner of doing it is too simple to need 

 direction. 



There may be other tricks and vices of a trivial nature, to 

 which cattle may become addicted, but from a long experience 

 and observation in that line, we believe that under proper treat- 

 ment, these tricks and vices will be few; at least we have seldom 

 been troubled with them. 



