28 



DEHORNING CATTLE 



seen on removing the horns are only empty spaces with which 

 the frontal bone is honeycombed. 



In calves the growing points of the horns are small in extent 

 and can be destroyed with little trouble. This could doubtless 

 be done with a knife but we have had no personal experience 



% 



1 \ 



 J:P' 



" i^r 



Fig. 3. Skull of a cow, showing the outgrowth of the frontal bone which forms the core 

 or pith of the horn. Above it is the shell or horn tissue proper, which is developed from 

 the skin. 



as yet on this point. In our experiments we have made 

 use of caustic potash. Caustic potash, so called, is a pure form 

 of the same substance which constitutes the potash sold in cans 

 for soap-making and cleansing purposes. It is in the form of 

 white sticks, in diameter about tiie size of an ordinary lead- 

 pencil. As its name indicates it is a powerful caustic, rapidly 

 destroying the skin and other tissues if kept in contact with 



