G48 



July, 1913 



Amateur Weather Prophecy. 



A writer on weather sigus gives 

 the following ruios for judging the 

 weather by cloiids : — 



Soft-looking or delicate clouds 

 foretell fine weather, wdth moder- 

 ate or light breeioes ; hard-edged, 

 oily -looking clouds, wind. A dark, 

 gloomy blue sky is windy, but a 

 bright blue sky indicates fine wea- 

 ther. 



Small, inky-looking clouds fore- 

 tell rain. Light scud clouds, driv- 

 ing across heavy masses, show- 

 wind and rain ; but if alone may 

 indicate wind only. 



High upper clouds crossing the 

 sun, moon, or stars, in a direction 

 different from that of the lower 

 clouds, or the wind then felt be- 

 ♦ low, foretell a change of wind to- 

 wards their direction. 



After tine, clear weather, the lirst 

 signs in the sky of a change 

 are usually light streaks, curls, 

 wisps, or mottled patches of 

 white, distant clouds, which in- 

 crease, and are followed by a 

 murky vapour that grows into 

 cloudiness. This appearance, more 

 or less oily or watery, as wind or 

 rain will prevail, i.s an infallible 

 sign. 



Usually, the higher and more 

 distant such clouds seem to be, 

 the more gradual but general the 

 coming change of weather will 

 prove. 



Light, delicate, quiet tints or 

 colours, with soft, undefined forms 

 of clouds, indicate and accompany 

 line weather ; but unusual or gaudy 

 hues, with hard, delinitcly-outlined 

 clouds, foretell rains and probably 

 .strong wind. 



Misty clouds forming or hanging 

 on heights show wind and rain 

 coming, if they remain, increase, 

 or descend. If they rise or dis- 

 perse, the weather will improve or 

 become fine. 



Dehoroinc Cattle. 



The two methods of dehorning 

 usually practised are (i) the re- 

 moval of the horns aiter they have 

 reached their growth, by means of 

 a saw or clippers, and ( 2) the pre- 

 vention of the growth of the; horn 

 while the animal is vet voung, by 

 the application of a chemical. 



In the early history, of dehorning 

 in America, the in.strument com- 

 monly used was a sharp saw. The 

 animal was placed in a strong 

 stanchion, a halter placed on the 

 head, and the nose drawn up. With 

 the head of the animal in this po- 

 sition the horns could be quickly 

 removed. The operation caused 

 more or less excitement to the ani- 

 mal, and some pain. About 1890, 

 clippers made especially for the pur- 

 pose began to gradually replace the 

 saw. By this method the animal 

 need not be. secured except to be 

 tied to a post with a strong hal- 

 ter. The clippers first used crush- 

 ed the horn-core, leaving a wound 

 that took a long time to heal, 

 but with the modern clippers this 

 crushing is largely avoided. 



There is very little choice be- 

 tween the use of the saw andi the 

 clippers in regard to the quality of 

 the work done. The use, of the saw 

 requires a longer time, but in 

 skilled hands does better work. 

 By the use of the clippers the oper- 

 ation is done more quickly, and is 

 all over before the animal has a 

 chance to struggle. When the clip- 

 pers are used the blood, vessels 

 supplying the horn are cut off 

 smoother than with the saw, con- 

 sequently bleeding does not stop 

 as quickly. Where either the saw 

 or clippers is used, it is necessary 

 to get one-eight to one-fourth of 

 an inch below the point where the 

 horn and s-kin grow together to 

 prevent further growth. Unless 

 this precaution is taken, the horn 

 is likelv to continue to grow, giv- 

 ing an unsightly ap])earance to the 

 head. 



The operation should not be per- 

 formed during either hot or cold 

 weather. The best time is in the 

 autumn after the flies have gone, 

 and before cold weather sets in, or 

 in the early spring. When the 

 horn is cut off the frontal sinus is 

 opened, and during cold weather 

 the air drawn in at each inspira- 

 is likely to cause catarrh, and give 

 rise to serious trouble. If done 

 in summer time the cavity fre- 

 quently becomes fly-blown and fill- 

 ed with maggots, which prevents 

 its healing, and causes grejat agony 

 to the animal. The operation 

 should be performed on a pleasant 

 day, when the animals can, be turn- 

 ed out after the work of dehorn- 

 is completed. It is well to have on 

 hand a little flour or other absorb- 

 ent to check the flow of blood. 



The easiest, cheapest and most 

 successful method of dehorning is 

 by the application of caustic while 

 the animals are young. Although 

 this causes some pain, it ia merely 

 a burning sensation, which does 

 not last more than an hour at the 

 outside, causes no nervous shock, 

 and there is every reason to believe 

 that it is much less than the pain 

 caused by the use of saw or clip- 

 pers. By the use of this method 

 there is no set-back to the ani- 

 mal, as the calves never miss a 

 feed and there is no danger of the 

 loss of a single animal. Another 

 advantage of this method is that 

 it leaves a much neater head) than 

 when the horns are taken, off after 

 they reach their growth, leaving 

 the head resembling a natural 

 poll rather than with a sqiuare 

 top. 



The substance used is caustic 

 potash or caustic soda, which is i^n 

 sticks about the size of lead pen- 

 cils, and can be procured at al- 

 most any chemist's shop. When 

 not in use they should be kept in 

 a closely stoppered bottle, as they 

 will absorb water from the aii 

 and go into solution. It is claimed 

 that this imethod is successful after 

 the horn is an inch or more in 

 length, but the best time to apply 



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