12 



Farmers' Bulletin im. 



The ];unl)*s tail lenders no substantial benefil to the animal. Its 

 presence is injurious because of the filth that accumulates around 

 and beneath it. Moreover,* lambs are more attractive and look neater 

 and deeper in the leg and twist if the tail is docked. When the tails 

 are left on females they are apt to fail to breed. 



The two preferable ways of removing a lamb's tail are by using a 

 sharp knife or the docking irons. One man holds the lamb while the 

 other performs the operation. 



Fig. 8. — Lamb in position to dock. 



When docking with the knife the operator, by feeling on the inside 

 of the tail, first locates the joint to be cut, which is about \\ inches 

 from the body. He .should then push the skin on the tail back toward 

 the body of the lamb so as to leave some surplus skin to grow over 

 the stub. The cut should be made quickl}- with a sharp knife. If 

 any lamb should bleed too much a piece of cord may be tied very 

 tightly on the stub of the tail close to the body, to stop the bleeding, 



