Preventing Growth of Horns. 321 



little blood appears in the centre of the horn, it will then 

 be only necessary to give another very slight rubbing with 

 the potash. 



"The following directions should be carefully ob- 

 served : The operation is best performed when the calf [or 

 kid] is under five days old, and should not be attempted 

 after the ninth day. One man should hold the animal 

 whilst an assistant uses the caustic. Roll a piece of tinfoil or 

 brown paper round the end of the stick of caustic potash, 

 which is held by the fingers so as not to injure the hand 

 of the operator. Do not moisten the stick too much, or 

 the caustic may spread to the skin around the horn and 

 destroy the flesh. For the same reason keep the animal 

 from getting wet for some days after the operation. Be 

 careful to rub on the centre of the horn, and not round the 

 side of it. 



" Note. Caustic potash is poisonous, and must there- 

 fore be kept in a safe place. It can be obtained from 

 any chemist in the form of a white stick, and when not in 

 use should be kept in a stoppered glass bottle in a dry 

 place, as it rapidly deteriorates when exposed to the air.' 1 



