THICKS OF CATTLE. 431 



through the buckle so as to confine her legs close together. So 

 secured, she cannot well kick, as the strap holds them fast one 

 to the other, and the cow is easily milked. Or, lacking a strap, 

 a rope passed around one leg and crossed, then lashed around the 

 other, and brought back with a turn or two around the cross 

 between the legs, and tied, will answer the purpose. She soon 

 becomes accustomed to it, and will readily submit to the opera- 

 tion. We have so used valuable cows for years, with little 

 trouble, preferring so to do rather than lose their services. Scold- 

 ing, fretting, loud threatening, thumping, and flagellations, are 

 of little use. The cow may have a hot temper, as well as her 

 milker, and resist all such sorts of discipline. The law of kind- 

 ness is usually much more effective. 



A KICKING ox 

 Is troublesome, either in the stable or when at work. Yet we 

 have known some of the best workers which had acquired a 

 most inveterate habit of the kind, and freely exercised it on even 

 the shghtest occasions. In nineteen cases out of twenty, the 

 habit was acquired by improper treatment of him by his keeper. 

 When steers are kindly treated at breaking, and in their subse- 

 quent work, there is little danger of their contracting such a vice 

 at all. Kind and gentle treatment, with a steady driver, is the 

 best remedy. The owner must exercise his own judgment 

 whether to retain, or discard him. 



BKEACHT ANIMALS. 



This habit is acquired in most cases through the carelessness 

 or negligence of the person owning them. We have known 

 some cattle that seemed to have almost a natural propensity that 

 way, but in seldom instances. We have seen even calves that 

 would jump with almost the celerity of a deer, but in most cases, 

 low, and insecure fences first led them to it. As they grew up, 

 they learned to throw fences with their horns ; but such enclosures 

 were generally poor and insufficient. We have known others 



