388 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



animals are kept comfortably housed for a few days sub- 

 sequently. It may also be done in the heat of summer, pro- 

 viding the wounds are protected from flies. But those sea- 

 sons when the temperature is mild, as in the spring or 

 autumn, are more favorable than when the weather is 

 extreme. Of the two seasons, the spring just after the 

 cattle have been turned out on pastures is somewhat 

 more favorable than the fall, on the principle that any 

 operation that tends to give a temporary shock to the 

 system is better performed when the vital forces are 

 being invigorated through the abundance of the nutri- 

 tion which succulent grass furnishes. 



The loss from dehorning is only temporary when 

 the wounds heal properly. The decrease in the milk 

 flow from the dehorning of cows is marked for not more 

 than two or three days. The adverse effect upon pro- 

 duction is seldom felt much beyond one week ; the con- 

 clusion, therefore, would seem safe that the adverse in- 

 fluence resulting would not be felt in beef production 

 for a longer period. 



To prevent the horns from growing the substance 

 most commonly used is caustic potash. This should be 

 rubbed well over the " buttons," that is. the horn cores 

 or rudimentary horns, while they are not yet attached 

 firmly to the head. This must be done before the calf 

 is three weeks old, and may be done after the calf is 

 three days old. The younger the calf is after it has 

 made a good start in life, the more easily and success- 

 fully the operation will be performed. The hair should 

 first be clipped away for a short distance around the 

 horn button. The parts to be touched with the potash, 

 and those only, should be wiped with a small piece of 

 cloth moistened with soapsuds. 



A stick of causic potash is then rubbed over the 

 button until the skin becomes a little inflamed and quite 

 sensitive to the touch. The stick of potash used should 

 be rolled in a piece of paper to protect the hands. The 



