BREEDING, STOCK-RAISING, ETC. 455 



manifest the effects of the growth of the genital organs, and 

 the longer their removal is deferred the greater becomes the 

 danger. 



During the months of suckling, these parts, as well as the 

 arteries that supply them with blood, are quite diminutive, 

 the vessels will bleed but little when severed, and the sensi- 

 bility to pain will be comparatively small. At this period, 

 then, castration will not cause much suffering ; it will be at- 

 tended with but little loss of blood, and no clamps or searing 

 will be needed. The application of a little fine salt and tur- 

 pentine will remedy the evil effects of the operation ; and 

 any one that is competent to undertake the castration of a 

 lamb or pig can be safely trusted to geld the young colt. 

 At this age, too, the latter can be handled with perfect ease, 

 and without running those risks of injuring him that ac- 

 company the act of throwing the larger animal, preparatory 

 to castration. 



Those who oppose the practice of cutting so early base 

 their objections chiefly upon the statements that the colts 

 gelded so young do not make as well-developed and fine, 

 spirited horses as if they were allowed to remain entire some 

 time longer. But if the objector is asked to specify to what 

 extent his own experience and observation as a stock-raiser 

 corroborate these views, he is generally at a loss for any sat- 

 isfactory answer. He will tell you that such is the prevail- 

 ing opinion among most of his acquaintances ; but they derive 

 their belief from the opinions of others still; and so it runs 

 back like a confused tradition, having its origin no one 

 knows where. So far as the question of spirit is concerned, 

 the entire horse shows no great excess of that quality save 

 as he is prompted by his amorous propensities. When brought 

 down to ordinary work, or used under the saddle, an old 

 stallion is one of the most stupid, spiritless creatures in the 

 world. 



Another objection sometimes urged against the course we 

 have recommended is the difficulty of selecting from the very 

 young colts those which it would be best to retain for stall- 



