36 RANCHING IN THE CANADIAN WEST 



into the corral, where a fire has already been made, 

 and the irons placed therein in readiness for the 

 ordeal. The animals are each in turn roped (lassoed) 

 by the hind-legs while on the run, and .thrown by 

 a man on horseback. This is an accomplishment 

 which months and years of practice will never make 

 you efficient at, if you do not acquire the knack 

 readily after repeated attempts. It is a heaven-sent 

 gift to any stockman, and too few in the cattle 

 country can, in these days, lay claim to handling 

 the " hard-twist " as it should be handled. Should 

 you, my reader, be one of the favoured few, good 

 luck to you ! You will never want for a job at $30 

 a month the year round. The calf is then dragged 

 by the rope (which is made fast to the horn of the 

 Mexican saddle) to the fire, where a man should be 

 ready to apply the irons to whatever part of the 

 body is indicated on your brand certificate, while 

 another man holds down the beast's head, and 

 another one its flank. The chief difficulty about the 

 operation Ues with him who manipulates the irons. 

 It requires one with experience to know exactly how 

 hard and how long to apply them so as to burn away 

 the hair and make a slight impression in the hide 

 without burning through it. If too deeply pressed, it 

 blotches the brand, and in time a horny excrescence 

 forms over it ; and if done too lightly the hair is apt to 

 cover the markings and obhterate them in winter-time. 



