354 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



matter, particularly if it be salty. Such animals are simply in- 

 disposed, do not eat, and stand around with a dejected look. If 

 no attention is given them, they may remain in this condition 

 for some time. This is to be avoided if possible, as animals that 

 are not doing well are sure to prove unprofitable. The treat- 

 ment is to give pound doses of Epsom salts dissolved in warm 

 water to which a little ginger has been added. If they will eat, 

 give gruels or mashes, and allow all the fresh water they will 

 drink. 



DEHORNING 



In case the horns were not removed when the calf was small, as 

 suggested on page 255, and it is desired to remove them later, it 

 will be necessary to remove them with either a saw or a pair of 

 dehorning clippers. The animal must be confined in a chute or 

 stocks made for such purposes, a rope placed around the head, 

 which should be pulled to one side and held firmly while the horn 

 is removed. Whether sawed or cHpped, remove the horn so close 

 to the head as to take a ring of hair off at the base of the horn, 

 otherwise the horn will grow out as a stub. If in fiy time, apply 

 tar to .keep the flies away. The bleeding will stop of its own 

 accord. The pain of the operation is slight, and whenever 

 animals are disposed to be vicious the horns should be removed. 

 It is not a good plan to dehorn when the flies are bad, nor should 

 dehorned animals have access to straw or hay stacks where they 

 can get the chaff into the wounds. 



VICES OF DAIRY CATTLE 



There are a few bad habits or vices to which dairy cattle are 

 subject. They are often serious and lessen the usefulness of the 

 animal. Most of them, however, can be remedied with a little 

 patient effort, or by the arrangement of inexpensive apparatus. 



Kicking cow. — To prevent a cow from kicking, procure a 

 half-inch rope long enough to reach around the cow's body and 



