116 



FITTING SHEEP 



This way of castrating may appear a little revolting to 

 people of a sentimental temperament, but in reality it is not 

 so, as nothing but the teeth need touch the testicles in per- 

 forming the operation. This method is the very best that 

 can be employed where the shepherd has to perform the 

 operation without the help of an assistant. 



Many advise cutting off the whole scrotum and contents 

 with a pair of keen shears. This mode has several drawbacks. 



CLAMPS USED IN CASTRATING. 



In the first place, it is plainly evident, from the stiff way in 

 which the lambs walk the first few days after being operated 

 upon, that this method is a somewhat cruel one, as it causes 

 much pain. Then again too much of the scrotum is usually 

 cut off by this method to allow of the animal being really 

 a symmetrical one, from a butcher's standpoint. As with a 

 steer, a wether lamb should be left with as large a sac or 

 "cod" as possible, for when this is well filled with fat it 

 not only dresses better but is somewhat of a criterion of the 

 quality of the lamb. 



The use of antiseptics in conjunction with the operation 



