CHAPTER XXXIII. 



CASTRATION, AND SUNDRY MATTERS NOT BEFORE ENUMERATHU. 



This operation should always be done before the calf is six 

 months old; from one to three months is the better time, as it 

 gives less pain, and is sooner healed. When done, the calf should 

 be in perfect health, and growing condition. 



The process is so well understood, by cattle breeders generally, 

 that particular directions are scarcely necessary. But, it is often- 

 times so cruelly and bunglingly performed, as to cause great incon- 

 venience and suffering to the animal; therefore, some directions, 

 as to the best mode, are necessary. This may be as follows : 



First, grasp the scrotum in the left hand, and bring the testi- 

 cles down to the foot of the bag; then, with the other hand, and 

 a sharp, small knife — a sharp pointed jack-knife is as good as 

 any — cut a perpendicular slit in the back or rear side of each 

 testicle, close to the bottom, and long enough for the released tes- 

 ticle to pass through; then cut through the skin, and the inner 

 case enclosing it ; push out the testicle, and gently draw the cord 

 attached to it out, one or two inches, and cut, or scrape it off, and 

 the work is done. Serve the other in the same way. Then put 

 in a little salted soft grease, and push it upwards towards the 

 belly with the finger. If the weather be hot, a few drops of 

 spirits of turpentine, mixed with water, may be washed just with- 

 in and around the outside cut of the scrotum, to keep off the 

 flies, and the calf may be set at liberty. If the operation be 

 done in rainy, or cold weather, the calf should be housed, if pos- 

 sible, for a few days, until the healing process is well under way. 

 If the scrotum becomes afterwards inflamed, and swells and 



