<>0 CASTRATING. 



I lie rail in one hand, and a large knife (sharpened on a 

 f)ri(.k to give it a rough edge) in the other, and with 

 oase, at one stroke, you may cut the tail in two: then 

 take a piece of iron, moderately hot, place a little rosin 

 in the wound, and sear it, recollecting to cut off the 

 waxed siring two or three days afterwards, and grease, 

 the tail with a little fresh butter or sweet oil, which 

 will cause it to heal very quickly afterwards. When 

 a horse is docked, the same tendons, arteries, and 

 nerves are separated, that are divided in nicking ; and 

 it is very rare that a horse's life is endangered or lost 

 in consequence of performing either operation. 



[from Loudon's encyclopedia of agriculture.] 



CASTRATING COLTS 



The time for castrating or gelding of colts is 

 usually when they are about a year old ; although 

 ihis operation is frequently suspended till the second 

 year, especially when it is intended to keep them on 

 hand, and without employing them in labour till the 

 following season. Parkinson disapproves of delaying 

 this operation so long, and recommends twitching 

 the colts, a practice well known to the ram breeders, 

 any time after a week old, or as soon after as the 

 testicles are come down ; and this method, he says, 

 he has followed himself, with great success. Blaine's 

 remarks on the subject of castration appear wor- 

 iliv of notice : lie says, when the breed is particu* 



y 



