14 MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



In Bulletin 54 of the Cornell Station, Professor Roberts gives 

 quite a full account of the history of dehorning. He says it 

 has been found to be of great practical utility in rendering 

 animals more docile and quiet, in rendering them much less 

 capable of injuring each other or mankind, and in reducing the 

 space necessary for safe housing and shipping. 



The following is quoted from the above named bulletin : "In 

 Canada the Ontario government appointed a commission 'To 

 obtain the fullest information in reference to the practice recently 

 introduced into this province of dehorning cattle, and to make 

 full inquiry into and report the reasons for and against the 

 practice.' 



"Evidence was received from the representatives of all the 

 interests affected by the practice, including farmers, dairymen, 

 drovers, exporters, wholesale and retail butchers, cattle market 

 attendants, tanners, hide merchants, veterinary surgeons, medi- 

 cal practitioners and members of humane societies, — ninety- 

 eight in all. 



"Of the farmers examined, nearly seventy in number, all who. 

 had either performed or seen the operation performed, with three 

 or four exceptions, were strongely in favor of it, the majority 

 stating that they were prejudiced against it on the grounds of 

 cruelty until they gained a practical knowledge of it. Of the 

 farmers opposed to the practice, not more than three or four 

 had ever seen the operation, but they thought it cruel and unnec- 

 essary. 



"Evidence as to the loss caused by animals using their horns 

 upon each other was given by cattle buyers and others in fre- 

 quent attendance at the cattle market, and also by butchers and 

 tanners. 



"Among veterinary surgeons a considerable conflict of opin- 

 ion was found to exist. As in the case of the farmers, those 

 who had seen the operation and observed its effects were in 

 favor of it, while those who had not seen it were opposed to it. 



"Indeed, as regards all the evidence received by the commis- 

 sion, it might almost be given as the rule that where the opera- 

 tion was properly and skillfully performed, those witnessing it, 

 however prejudiced before, became converts to it, while the great 

 bulk of the opposition came from parties not acquainted with 



