00 CASTRATING. 



the tail in one hand, and a large knife (sharpened on a 

 brick to give it a rough edge) in the other, and with 

 ease, at one stroke, you may cut the tail in two : then 

 take a piece of iron, moderately hot, place a little rosin 

 in the wound, and sear it, recollecting to cut off the 

 waxed string two or three days afterwards, and grease 

 the tail with a little fresh butter or sweet oil, which 

 will cause it to heal very quickly afterwards. When 

 a horse is docked, the same tendons, arteries, and 

 nerves are separated, that are divided in nicking ; and 

 it is very rare that a horse's life is endangered or lost 

 in consequence of performing either operation. 



[FROM LOUDON'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AGRICULTURE.] 



CASTRATING COLTS. 



THE time for ca-strating or gelding of colts is 

 usually when they are about a year old ; although 

 this operation is frequently suspended till the second 

 year, especially when it is intended to keep them on 

 hand, and without employing them in labour till the 

 following season. Parkinson disapproves of delaying 

 this operation so long, and recommends twitching 

 the colts, a practice well known to the ram breeders, 

 any time after a week old, or as soon after as the 

 testicles are come down ; and this method, he says, 

 lie has followed himself, with great success. Elaine's 

 remarks on the subject of castration appear wor- 

 thy of notice: he says, when the breed is particu- 



