460 DISEASES OF CATTLE, SHEEP, GOATS, ETC. 



season begins, or in the fall, after the fly season has passed. At one 

 side of this corral is a gate opening into another smaller inclosure, 

 which is known as the chute pen. The sides of this converge to form 

 an entrance into a narrow chute, which is usually made long enough 

 for about three cattle, though but one is permitted to enter the work- 

 ing ends of the chute at a time, the others being kept back by cross- 

 bars. At the front end of this chute is what is known as a squeezer. 

 After the animal enters the squeezer the squeeze gate is pressed close 

 against its side to prevent lateral movement, the stanchion is closed 

 on the neck, and the head is turned and secured to the post by 

 means of a nose clamp and lead rope, first at one side of the chute 

 and then the other, as required for the removal of the horns. 



In the construction of these chutes it is usual to have on the 

 side opposite the squeeze gate a movable plank which can be taken 

 out to expose the side of the animal for branding. In the entire con- 

 struction of such a corral .and chute it is best not to economize in 

 lumber or bolts, as it should be strong and durable, so that the ani- 

 mal may be controlled without danger to itself or to the operator. 



Another method of restraint is to throw the animal and hold it 

 stretched flat on the ground by means of a rope around its neck held 

 by a man on horseback with a turn around the saddle pommel, a 

 second rope being around the hind feet, similarly held by another 

 man on horseback. In the absence of horses these ropes can be se- 

 cured by taking a turn around a post. After the animal is thus se- 

 cured an assistant grasps the nose and upper horn, turning the head 

 so that the lower horn can be removed first. This obviates the dan- 

 ger of fracturing the lower horn, and allows the blood to flow directly 

 on the ground and the head to be held flat for the removal of the 

 upper horn. The dehorning shears are frequently used, but there 

 seems to be a tendency in some localities toward giving preference to 

 the saw. 



Many ranchmen apply preparations of pine tar and alcohol, or 

 pine tar and turpentine, after dehorning, to lessen the bleeding and 

 keep the flies away. 



TO PREVENT HORNS GROWING ON YOUNG CALVES. 



When circumstances are favorable, as in the case of farmers 

 who build up their herds by raising the progeny, the horns may be 

 prevented from growing by a simple and practically painless method, 

 and the custom of preventing the growth of the horns is becoming 

 more popular and more generally practiced under all conditions ex- 

 cept in the case of calves dropped on the open range. The calf 

 should be treated not later than one week after its birth, preferably 

 when it is from three to five days old. The agent to be used may be 

 either caustic soda or caustic potash, both of which may be procured in 

 the drug stores in the form of sticks about the thickness of an ordinary 

 lead pencil and 5 inches long. These caustics must be handled with 

 care, as they dissolve the cuticle and may make the hands or fingers 

 sore. The preparation of the calf consists in first clipping the hair 

 from the parts, washing clean with soap and warm water, and thor- 

 oughly drying with a cloth or towel. The stick of caustic should be 



