62 



following the operation. The last time the operation was performed was on 

 Nov. 5, 1891, at which time, among others, five cows in milk were dehorned. 

 Three of these were heifers under two years old, two were mature cows that had 

 been purchased in the neighborhood; all were comparatively fresh in milk. 

 One had only been milked six days. The cows dehorned were very little 

 affected by the operation, with the exception of the cow Pandora. She fell off 

 three pounds upon the day on which she was dehorned, and six pounds more on 

 the following day, after which she nearly regained her normal flow. The varia- 

 tions in the case of the other cows were extremely trivial, and some of the cows 

 not dehorned varied quite as much, and that, too, on the same days. The average 

 variation of the five dehorned cows was a little less than four pounds in the 

 whole period of eleven days, while the average variation of the seven cows not 

 dehorned in the same period was nearly six pounds. This was undoubtedly due 

 to the fact that the average milk yield of the seven cows not dehorned was con- 

 siderably greater than that of the five dehorned cows, but it shows that the opera- 

 tion of dehorning did not cause at least any greater daily variation. 



So much for the immediate effects of dehorning, now as to the time required 

 for recuperation. We find that there was an average daily loss of a little less 

 than one-half a pound for the five cows dehorned, but in the same time the seven 

 cows that were not dehorned gave seven-hundredths of a pound per day less in 

 the last five days. It would seem, then, studying the milk yield in all its 

 relations that the loss in milk yield when cows in milk are dehorned is 

 insignificant. 



The only requisites for successfully performing the operation are that the 

 animal's head should be securely fastened and the operator possessed of courage 

 and a sharp saw. We have ordinarily used what is known by carpenters as a 

 " cut off " saw, that is a small flexible saw with rather fine teeth, others have 

 preferred to use a stiff back saw. The horns should be removed from the head 

 so as to take with them a few hairs all the way round. It is usually of advan- 

 tage to clip off some of the hairs about the base of the horn with a pair of shears, 

 and before beginning the operator should examine the horn and get his bearings, 

 so that when once the operation is begun no stop need be made until the horn 

 comes off; ordinarily but very little blood is lost in the operation, some animals, 

 however, will bleed considerably, and very rarely it is necessary to bind a rag- 

 smeared with pine tar over the stump to stop the bleeding. Animals under 

 three years old that are in good flesh and thrifty growing condition are more apt 

 to bleed freely. It is not necessary that any application be made to the stump, 

 but we have thought it of advantage to apply a little carbolated vaseline ; this is 

 chiefly of benefit in warm weather in keeping away flies. Usually the wound 

 heals up without suppurating, but in about one case in ten some pus will form. 

 We have found it of advantage in such cases to bind on a rag smeared with pine 

 tar as before described. 



Minnesota Experiment Station. 



Bulletin No. 19, March, 1892, of the agricultural experiment station in con- 

 nection with the University of Minnesota, gives the following account of a 

 dehorning experiment conducted by the Director, Mr, Clinton D. Smith, and the 

 Professor of Dairying, Mr. T. L. Hsecker : 



Last summer it was decided by the Regents to place upon the station farm 

 a herd of good dairy cows, selected from natives, thoroughbreds and their grades 



