CHAP. in. AGE OF CATTLE 89 



year, two, until five years old, when they are called full-mouthed; 

 although they are not properly full-mouthed until six years old, 

 because the two corner teeth, which are last in renewal, are not 

 perfectly up until they are six." 1 



The horns of neat cattle also supply another criterion by which the 

 judgment may be assisted, after the signs afforded by the teeth become 

 uncertain. When two years old their horns are without wrinkle at the 

 base, but at three years old a circle or wrinkle appears, to which 

 another is added at every year, so that by adding two to the number 

 of these circles or rings, the age of an animal may be ascertained with 

 tolerable precision, unless these rings are defaced or artificially removed, 

 by scraping or filing a fraudulent practice that has been adopted in 

 order to deceive the ignorant or inexperienced purchaser. These 

 circles, however, must not be confounded with other small rings that are 

 sometimes found at the root of the horn, and which are a tolerably 

 sure indication that the animal has been ill fed during its growth ; 

 another frequent consequence of which is that the horns are crooked 

 and unsightly. There is often a tip at the extremity of the horn, which 

 falls off about the third year. 



The bull is termed a bull calf until he is one year old, and then a 

 yearling bull, and afterwards a two, three, four, and. five-years- old bull, 

 until six, when he is aged. When castrated, he is called a steer calf, 

 then a yearling steer, then a two or three-years-old steer, 2 and so on 

 until after four, when he becomes an ox or bullock. 



The cow does not assume this name until four years old ; up to one 

 year old she is called a heifer-calf; from one to two years a stirk ; 

 from two to three, a twinter (i.e., two winters) ; and from three to four 

 a heifer. There exists, however, much difference of opinion as to the 

 exact application of the term heifer. 



xi. As supplementary to the matters already discussed in this 

 chapter, bearing on the characteristic " points " which distinguish 

 good stock, and as taking up also one or two subjects which should 

 be considered by the grazier in stocking his farm, we give the follow- 

 ing paragraphs. 



In a small but valuable pamphlet, by Mr. E. F. Wilkes, there are 

 some excellent and practical remarks and illustrations, constituting 

 " a guide to form in cattle." The pamphlet was published at Here- 

 ford by Mr. Head, and the hints given are so good, that we do the 

 reader a service by drawing attention to one or two of the leading 

 points to be observed in "form" in cattle, illustrating these by 

 sketches adopted from the drawings given by Mr. Wilkes. " Form," 

 or the external outline of what may be called the framework of the 



1 "Culley on Live Stock," pp. 208, 209. 



2 The word "stof is very generally used in Scotland in place of steer. In Robert 

 Burns's well known poem, "The Calf," we read : 



And if the lovers' raptured hour 



Should ever be your lot, 

 Forbid it every heavenly power 



You then should be a stot. 



