MANAGEMENT OF DAIRY CATTLE 



213 



horn or hoof. A mark on the hoof must be renewed at inter- 

 vals, and one on the horn is occasionally lost by the horn being 

 broken off, as well as being impractical in many herds on 

 account of the practice of dehorning. The young calf can- 

 not be marked in this manner. Some breeders mark the ani- 

 mals by placing a brass tag bearing a number on a strap about 

 the neck. This is especially well adapted for calves. 



u n 125 



FIG. 42. Devices for marking cattle, o, brass tag to go on strap; 

 6, c, ear tags; d, tattoo marker. 



For use with all breeds having light-colored skin in the ears 

 the tattoo mark is/the most satisfactory of all. This consists 

 in printing the numbers or letters as desired in the skin of the 

 ear with india ink. The instrument for making the punctures 

 is arranged so any combination of letters or figures may be 

 used. In using this the skin of the ear should be thoroughly 

 cleaned of grease by washing with soap or gasoline. The 

 puncture is then made, and the tattoo oil thoroughly rubbed 



