110 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fxs., 1898. 
HOW TO TELL THE AGE OF NEAT CATTLE. 
Te age of an animal may be ascertained by the teeth until it reaches the age 
of six years, after which time the horns are the only guide. Cattle cast no 
teeth until they reach the age of two years, when they get two new teeth; at 
three years they get two more, and in every succeeding year two, until five years 
old, when they are termed “ full-mouthed,” although, strictly speaking, they 
are not ‘“‘full-mouthed” until they reach the age of six years, because the two 
corner teeth are not matured until that period is reached. 
The age may also be determined by the horns; but in some cases the most 
enlightened judge is deceived, as the horns may be scraped or filed in such a 
manner as to deceive any person. 
At the age of two years the horns are without wrinkles; but at the age 
of three a wrinkle appears at the base, and every succeeding year another 
appears ; so by adding two to the number of rings on the horns the age may be 
ascertained. ‘‘Poverty rings’’ are sometimes to be seen on the horns, which are 
brought about by starvation when rearing the animal, but are smaller than 
those brought about by age.. 
Mr. James Irving, M.R.C.V.S.L., gives the following as the test of age 
in dairy stock :— 
Table of Early Average. Table of Late Average, Table of Late Average, 
Improved Breeds, Improved Breeds. Unimproved Breeds. 
Yrs. Mos, Number of Teeth. Yrs, Mos. Number of Teeth. Yrs. Mos. Number of Teeth, 
1 9 |2permanent incisors} 2 3 |2 permanent incisors} 2 3 /| 2 permanent incisors 
2 3 4 ” 22 2 9 4 ” ” 3 0 4 2? ”? 
2 9 6 ” ” 3 3 6 2? ” 4 0 6 ” ” 
3 3 8 > ” 3 9 8 ” ”? 5 0 8 ” ” 
DISHORNING DAIRY CATTLE, 
ComMeEntTING on our article in the last issue of the Journal on dishorning 
cattle by the use of Mr. Armstrong’s new apparatus, a few of our friends, who 
are (as is eyery right-minded person) averse to cruelty to animals in any form, 
have spoken of the pain which must be felt by the animals during the opera- 
tion, and have suggested that it should be discountenanced. We have spoken 
to several experts in the management of cattle, and they are unanimous in the 
- opinion that there is no cruelty in the case at all; that the operation being so 
quickly performed gives very little pain, not anything approaching that inflicted 
by trimming the combs of game fowls or docking the tails of horses and dogs. 
one, following remarksfrom the Oregon Agriculturist occur very apropos to the 
subject :— 
The dishorning of cattle is a subject which may be said to be settled in 
the affirmative as far as the great dairy districts of Jinois and Minnesota are 
concerned. A journey through these States will show to the intelligent 
observer that nearly one-half of the cattle are minus their horns; and it 
appears to be the case that the large herds have been dishorned more completely 
than the smaller ones. 
On approaching a farmer for his reasons why he had dishorned his stock, 
he stated that it made the cows more gentle and docile, and that he noticed 
somewhat of an increase in the milk yield since it had been done. The cows 
lost the fidgety, nervous appearance, and did not seem to be so much afraid of 
the leader of the herd. 
