102 SPRINGTIME SURGERY 



One big outfit for which I have worked, from 

 an annual brand of about 2,000 calves of both 

 sexes, "cuts" the poorer half of the heifers for 

 spaying each year, and this bunch, though it con- 

 tains all the odd colors and ill-shapen calves, is 

 said to make them more money than the open 

 heifers or the steers. Spayed heifers are quieter 

 than steers, and though they will not quite come 

 to the same weight, they will ripen more quickly, 

 and on very much less feed. 



In discussing spaying with an owner who is 

 contemplating it for the first time, it is well to 

 advise him to be prepared to carry the heifers 

 over at least two seasons, as it requires that 

 length of time for the complete unsexing of the 

 carcass and to derive the full benefit of the 

 operation. 



While the median-line operation is easier and 

 quicker, and the immediate loss, providing the 

 stitching is quite perfect, should be no greater, 

 yet there are good reasons for preferring the 

 flank operation. One of my clients has had a 

 good opportunity to compare their merits, and I 



