HORNED CATTLE. 



THE AGE. 



The age of neat oattle is very difficult to get 

 atj until tliey reach the age of three years; af- 

 ter thiSj we get at the age by the horns. The 

 surface of the horn continues very smooth, un- 

 til the expiration of the second year of the ani- 

 mals life, when a wrinkle or circle of thicker 

 horn begins to he formed around the base. This 

 is truly completed in twelve months and an- 

 other ring then begins to appear,, so that if the 

 perfect rings or circles are counted, and two ad- 

 ded to them, the age of the beast is supposed 

 to be ascertained. These rings, however, are 

 not always clear and distinct, and it is very 

 easy to remove one or two of them with a rasp, 

 at least to the un practiced eye, when the ani- 

 mal begins to be remarkably old. In addition 

 to this, a Avell known fact should be stated: — 

 That if a heifer takes the bull at about two 

 years old, the first ring is formed a twelve 

 month before its usual time, and consequently 

 she would always appear to be reckoning by 

 her horns, a twelve month older than she really 



