THE CULTIVATOR. 
Sore Shoulders in Horses« 
In reply to an inquiry as to the best treatment for a 
horse of tender skin, whose shoulders get chafed by 
the collar from the shortest work, the editor of the N. 
Brit. Agriculturist gives some directions, of which the 
following is the sum and substance. He says, when a 
sore is actually formed in consequence of chafing by 
the collar, the horse should either be laid off work, or 
the collar stuffing should be removed so as to prevent 
pressure on the wound. A mixture containing half an 
ounce of sulphate of zinc to a quart Of water should be 
continually applied by means of a soft rag saturated 
with the mixture and laid upon the sore. This plan o. 
keeping the part constantly wet, tends to abate in¬ 
flammation and soreness, and rapidly induces the heal¬ 
ing process. If the horse cannot be allowed to rest, 
the collar must be eased as before directed, the sore 
well bathed with water, and then dressed with the 
above mixture before going to work, and on coming 
from it. If the skin be unbroken and merely tender 
or somewhat thickened, and perhaps rather knotty, a 
strong solution of common salt in water is a very ex¬ 
cellent application. It may be applied by means of a 
rag saturated in the solution and laid upon the part af¬ 
fected. The same treatment is applicable to bruises 
by the saddle as well as to those by the collar ; it being- 
essential to the cure in both cases that the collar or 
saddle should be made to fit properly. 
The strong solution of salt may do something to¬ 
wards toughening the skin where it is tender, and easi¬ 
ly chafed or bruised, but we should expect a still bet¬ 
ter effect from a strong decoction of white oak bark, or 
a solution of tannin in water. By the application of 
either of these before the skin has actually become bro¬ 
ken, or as soon as any signs of tenderness make their 
appearance, galls and sores from saddle or collar may 
usually be prevented. A few trials of the oak-bark 
decoction with a little alum, as well as the property it 
has to tan and toughen, incline us to expeet inure 
from it than from a solution of common salt. 5 
Ayrshire Cattle, 
Messrs. Editors —In answer to an inquiry in the 
Country Gentleman of June 1st, page 345, by Mr. 
James H. Mattison, Oberlin, 0., I would state brief¬ 
ly, that I consider the Ayrshire breed of cattle equal, 
if\ot superior, to any with which I have had experi¬ 
ence ; which includes Durhams, Devons, and others. 
If good dairy cows and working oxen, aro what a per¬ 
son wishes, with a fair tendency to fatten, I claim that 
a man may obtain with more certainty, what he wish¬ 
es, with them, than with any other one breed. Such 
is my opinion, confirmed by experience. 
I will give an outline of a bull, which I procured 
of an importer of this breed of stock, three years 
since, and have now : Carcass, straight, well made 
and compact. Chest, deep, wide and full, denoting a 
good constitution. When standing, stands firmly on 
all four. Neck, tapers from the shoulder toward the 
head, free from all loose skin hanging under the jaws. 
Horns, fine, where they start from the head, making 
a graceful curve, standing a little elevated from a hor¬ 
izontal line with the back. Head, fine, with a mild, 
pleasant and expressive eye. Constitution, strong ; dis¬ 
position, contented ; skin, soft, firm, and well covered 
with a good thick coat of hair. Color, a light cherry 
red. Stock good, thrives well on ordinary keep; but 
does better on good keep. 
Should your correspondent wish to get this, he can 
write me. Calvin Allyn. Uncasville ,’ Conn. 
0. C. D. informs us that Mr. Mattison will find 
such a bull as he wants in the possession of E. Doug¬ 
lass, Claridon, Geauga Co., 0. He is a cross of the 
Devon and Durham. 
Training Steers. 
Mr. Tucker —My mode of breaking steers is first, 
to ge’ntle them by feeding them from the hand, with 
short corn, roots, or even good hay. Secondly, I yoke 
them in a good j r ard, as gently as possible, leaving 
them to stand or walk about as they choose, for several 
hours, and then unyoke them, taking great care not to 
let them jump from the yoke, or become frightened at 
it. This should be done several times, before trying 
to drive them while in yoke at all. Thirdly, I use a 
halter, and short whip, and break each separately to 
walk beside the driver; and to turn to the right and 
left, by the motion of the whip, and sound of the voice. 
Patience and gentleness should be used at all times. 
If the steer be stubborn, by peruasive means be will 
soon subject himself to the -will of the driver. After 
this I drive them together in the yoke, using a halter 
on the left hand steer, and a longer whip than before, 
without any draft at first; afterward with alight draft, 
such as they can pull without much effort, increasing 
the load as they become accustomed to use tneir 
strength. The halter may be dispensed with as soon 
as they learn the motions of the whip. They may be 
Woke to work well to a harrow, lead of a team, &C. in 
;*T.e week, by spending 3 or 4 hours with them each 
day, in the above manner; after which they can be 
used to a cart, plow, or any thing desired. 
I have broken steers which were four years old, 
(without ever having been handled at all, and which 
were so wild as to require stratagem to catch them 
with a rope,) to work well to a wagon in one week, by 
the above practice. M. S. Bidwell. Occoquan, Va . 
» Cotswold Sheep. 
Messrs. Editors —I would state in regard to Sheep, 
that T have for some time been anxious to get a small 
flock of sheep of the right sort for family use, as well 
as something that might be profitable. I obtained in 
the month of April, 1853, two half bred Cotswold 
ewes. The May following they brought forth four 
lambs. At five months old, I sold one, of the same 
value of the others, for $5. The first of the present 
month, I had an addition of four, (by the way twins 
are peculiar to this breed,) so the increase from April 
53 to April 54, is seven, and sold one—all nice—five of 
