St. Landry democrat., 1888-03-24
AGE OF CATTLE.
The Growth and Development of Teeth I'm
Young Animals.

AGE OF CATTLE.
| Young Animals.
No accurate opinion of the age of
calf can be formed until it is six
months old; at that time the fourth
molar (the back teeth which are used
for grinding) is we'll developed. Be-
tween six and twelve months there are
no important dental changes, the in
cisors (front or cutting teeth) become
worn and more space is left between
them, but it is not possible to assert
from the state of the incisor teeth
whether the animal is under OF over
the age of one year, At one year a
bullock has eight incisors, and shortly
afterwards the fifth molar appears.
At the age of twenty or twenty-one
months the two central incisors become
loose, and their successors, the first
two broad teeth. may begin to show
| themselves.
At one year and seven months, in
very forward animals, the first pair of
permanent or broad incisors are cut,
but they are never level with the other
incsors before one year and ten
months, and their perfect development
is indicative of the age of two years, at
which time the sixth and last molars
are in position, and any error or opin-
ion as to age which might arise from
the permanent or early cutting of the
central permanent incisors may be cor
rected by reference to the state of the
molars. When the animal is month
OF two over two years the first and
second Counting from the fronD per-
manent molars take the place of the
permanent teeth.
From two years and three months to
two years and six months the second
pair of broad, front or incisor teeth,
the middle permanent incisors, occupy
the place of the corresponding tempor-
airy teeth in all cultivated breeds. In
stances of late dentition present them
selves from time to time, in which the
middle permanent incisors are not cut
till the animal is approaching three
years old. There is consequently
possible variation of six months in the
time of the appearance Of these teeth.
1t must be understood, in reference
to the appearance of the second pair of
broad teeth, that an expert, looking at
the mouth, which has four permanent
incisors, will conclude that the animal
is two years and half old, but if he is
required to certify that the age is
under or. above that period he must
proceed to inspect the molar teeth and
take into account the animals pedi-
gree, its sex and its general condition
of development.
If the animal in question is bull,
and has been forced to early maturity.
it may be expected that the second
pair of permanent incisors will cut at
two years and four months, and if
either of the anterior (foremost) tenn
porary molars remain in their places,
the conclusion that the animal is under
two years and half will be strength
ened.
Shortly after the first and second
molars are cut, the third makes its ap-
pearance; occasionally it appears be-
fore the others, and the animal at the
age of three years will have three an
terror molars level with the other teeth,
but showing no signs of wear.
The eruption of the third pair of
permanent incisors may occur at any
time between two years and six
months and three years of age. In
cultivated breeds they are present be-
fore the animal is three years old. and
occasionally they will be found well
developed after two and half years.
In fact the anterior molars afford
more reliable evidence of the age be-
tween two and half and three years
old, than is furnished by the incisors.
At three years of age the average
condition of the teeth in cultivated
breeds is the fourth pair of the corner
permanent incisors are we'll up, but
they vary considerably. In well-bred
cattle they take the place of the tempo
rary teeth soon after the completion of
the third year.
In welI-bred bulls they are often
present at two years and three months,
while IN some instances they are not
cut till the animal is three years and
nine months. Very little reliance, in
deed, can be placed on the corner in
cisor, and the examineris compelled to
refer to the molar teeth to correct his
opinion.
With the exception of the corner
permanent incisors, the fourth pair of
broad teeth, the permanent dentition
Of the OK is completed. and after this
period the changes in the form of the
teeth from effects of attrition will assist
the examiner in forming an opinion OF
the -iSoutber7s Farm.
The office of the air-tight fruit jar |
may be enlarged to preserve eggs as
we'll as fruit. As soon as the eggs are
collected put the jars into hot water.