Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-08-05
Kindly Treatment of Domestic
AnfupIs.

Nothing can be more foolish than the at
tempt to catch either a horse, COW, pig, sheep
or dog by running after IT, How many futile
attempts to catch horse have been made in
pursuance of the above method How many
times has the horse just as the hired man
was about to walk up to its head and at the
point of catching it, made a sudden wheel
and shown the brightness of its shoes At
this iuncture we have seen little boy, who
had never struck the horse with whip, but
who had given the animal many an apple in
days gone by, stroking him and playing with
him at the time-we have seen even this little
fellow take the horse quietly by the foretop
and together they would go to any desired
point. Or perhaps a lady makes her appear
ance, in whom the horse recognizes friend
who has frequently RECALLED him with a lump
of sugar. He does not even wait for the la
dy to come to him, for he goes TO her, and
the simple lump of sugar will enable his mis-
tress to lead the noble horse to his STALL a
task which all the chasing and yelling of the
hired man has failed to accomplish. The in
telligent animal is attracted neither by the
personal appearance nor the tone of voice of
the rough fellow who strives to rule by force
alone.
Another individual attempts by running
and yelling to catch his COW or COWS. Why
do these naturally gentle animals run away
from him ? Because they remember full well
that on former occasions when he has succeed
ed in catching them a series of blows from
some heavy cudgel has been their reward. Is
there not some better way of securing the
good will of our herds and in managing them
as we wish There is hollow place on the
head of every COW, Just behind the junction
of the horns, which is commonly full of dust,
short hairs and the like, causing the animal
an itching sensation. 1t is source of ex-
IRENE pleasure to the COW to have the spot
scratched and from its location the an
| imal herself cannot reach it hence when her
| keeper approaches her either in the stable or
in the pasture, an era Of good feeling may at
| once be established il due attention be paid
| to scratching this hollow spot. If at your first
approach the COW is a little shy, offer her
| from one hand a nubbin of corn, while with
the other hand you gently scratch the partic-
| ular spot in her head mentioned above. In a
very short time, whenever you go into their
| pasture the whole herd will come to you to
have their heads scratched, and you will soon
be satisfied that it is as easy to have them fol-
low you as to resort to driving and loud noise.
When the farmer desires to examine his
flock of sheep or make any selection there
from, let him always carry them little salt
| The sheep will soon come to meet him, and
while eating their salt if it is desired to catcl
one, the individual should quickly approach
the animal from behind, and with his RICH
hand catch the sheep by its hind leg, imme
diately throwing his left hand across tn,
sleeps breast, and the animal is easily secur
ed. Never attempt to catch sheep by it
wool The pig loves to be scratched, anC
when it finds its keeper inclined to afford thi
qualification, the animal will approach readily
If few wiles like the above and others
which will readily suggest themselves +
those who have the care of animals, are oh
served, hours of time now wasted in franti
endeavors to drive or catch domestic animal
may be saved. The animals themselves vii
be saved many unmerciful blows, while thos
in charge will have less occasion to use lar
guage more forcible than chaste Animals d
not like loud words nor many of them.
low, soft-toned voice, indicative of kind
treatment is far more likely to insure success
in the management of domestic animals tina
, loud harsh tones and brute force. Am ca
? htigGtOr..