tlVE STOCK. 



155 



Ringing a Boll — ^We give an illastradon of a plan for putting a ring 

 through the nose of a bull worthy of the attention of stock-breedere. A ring 

 ie tindoubtedly the safest mode of controlling the bull. Clamp rings having 

 two knobe, which press into the nostrils, may be useful for occasional use, 

 but a good stout copper ring should be put through the cartilage of the noee 

 of every tli^iruughbred bull before be is four years old. This will last him 

 for his lifetime, and whether tied up in the stable or out for exercise, it will 

 eflfectually control him. The old-fashioned plan of inserting the rings was 

 by burning a hole through the 

 cartdage with a hot iron, but 

 this «ra8 a cruel and difficult 

 process. The plan suggested 

 is to use a weapon styled a 

 f rochar, similar to the surgical 

 ■jnstrument employed for 

 ■" tapping " in case of dropsy, 

 *nd for " hoove " in cows. It 



is a sharp-pointed, round dagger (the point three-sided), carrying a silver- 

 plated shield reaching from the upper part of the point to the handle. The 

 above illustrition will further explain. 



The sheath being on the dagger when the operation is performed, the 

 whole is easily pushed through the nose, the sharp point of ihe dagger 

 piercing the nostril with so Uttle pain that one man can easily hold the head 

 still. The dagger is then withdrawn, leaving the sheath in the hole. Th*« 

 ring is then inserted into the end of the sheath, which is slowly withdrawn, 

 leaving the ring in place. This is then closed and fastened with a screw. 



These rings should be so 

 well made that both the 

 hinge and the screw should 

 be perfectly smooth, and 

 BO fitting as to take a prac- 

 ticed eye to notice the join- 

 ing. 



The manner in which 

 the operation is performed 

 will be seen at a glance at 

 the accompanying engrav- 

 ing. 



The ring should turn 

 freely rrmnd in the incision, 

 which, having been made 

 with a three-cornered cut, 

 will be more sensitive 

 against a pull than the smooth-burned hole. Indeed, it is sometimes neces- 

 sary with the latter cruel operation to take the ring out after a time and re- 

 sort again to burning, in order to make the cartilage sufficiently sensitive for 

 the ring to be effective in managing the animal. 



An Inexpensive RelUh for Stoclc. — Stock men of large experience ap- 

 preciate the need of salt for stock, and usually make such provision that ani- 

 mals under their care are daily provided with this relish. There are, how- 

 ever, many farmers who look upon salt as a luxury enjoyed by their stock 

 when placed within reach, but not necessary to their thiifi or comfort. Ob- 



