44 THE RURAL EFFICIENCY GUIDE STOCK 



heavy paper so as to protect the hands of the operator; the caustic should be 

 only slightly moistened ; too much moisture will cause the liquid to run down 

 the side of the calf's head,, and cause unnecessary pain ; the calf must be securely 

 fastened so that its head may be held still to avoid applying the caustic anywhere 

 else than upon the horns. Preserve the stick of caustic potash in a tightly corked 

 bottle, and you will have enough to dehorn many other calves. 



Treatment for Lice and Ringworm. Thoroughly washing or dipping 

 calves is the most effective means of destroying lice. Unless special provision 

 has been made for doing so, it is unsafe to wash calves in cold weather. Usually 

 a two to three per cent solution of some of the coal tar disinfectants is recom- 

 mended for washing stables and for washing or dipping calves for lice. The 

 solution should not be strong enough to irritate the skin. A good remedy for 

 lice on calves may be made by steeping for four hours four ounces of Larkspur 

 (Delphinium) in one gallon of boiling water, then straining and applying the 

 liquid to the affected parts. In the winter, if the calves are badly infested with 

 lice and the weather is too cold to wash them, pyrethrum powder may be used 

 to advantage. As a general rule, however, lice powders are not as effective as 

 thoroughly washing or dipping calves with some disinfectant. 



Ringworm may be successfully treated by washing thoroughly the affected 

 part of the skin and applying a liquid made by dissolving two ounces of sulphate 

 of copper (blue stone) in one gallon of boiling water. 



BEEF CATTLE PRODUCTION. 



The Production of Pure Bred Beef Cattle. Breeding pure bred cattle 

 is the highest type of beef cattle production and represents the largest invest- 

 ment and the greatest amount of capital necessary for successful operation. 

 One engaged in the production of this class of cattle must also understand methods 

 of breeding, feeding and developing live stock in a manner to impress buyers 

 favorably and to secure profitable prices. It is necessary to depend upon the 

 demand for breeding stock in order to sell and secure prices that are profitable. 

 The production of pure bred beef cattle is ordinarily confined to well organized 

 and productive farms and it is considered best for one to graduate into this class 

 of producers after having had considerable experience and having gained a 

 thorough knowledge of the cattle industry. 



Cattle for Meat Purposes. The production of cattle primarily for meat 

 purposes includes three lines of industry, namely, the production of stockers 

 and feeders, the grazing of cattle and the fattening of cattle. The section of the 

 country, the character of the land and the organization of the farm should de- 

 termine what line of cattle production will be best for one to select. Pure bred 

 beef cattle not suitable for breeding purposes, grade beef cattle resulting from the 

 use of pure bred sires for several generations, and cross bred beef cattle are all 

 well adapted for meat purposes and should be selected where one depends upon 

 producing beef as the primary object in live stock production. 



The Production of Stockers and Feeders. Stockers and feeders consti- 

 tute classes of cattle suitable for grazing or fattening and may be profitably 

 produced on well organized farms having more or less land that cannot be plowed 



