The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-06-21
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~ gA@44
ing how by photographs.
Beginning with the years 1885 and
1885, the practice Of dehorning cattle
has rapidly grown in favor, until at
present it is commonly practiced in
many sections. illinois ia credited
with being the first State to advocate
il. From the first many have strenu-
ously obi scted TO It, numerous lawsuits
resulting therefrom. Most Of these
prosecutions have taken place under
the law for the prevention Of cruelty
60 animals. Many States have have
had test cases, butt no one in the United
States, so far az we can learn, hasbeen
convicted where the case was carried
to the higher courts. Canada has gone
further than any other country inin
stigating legal proceedings tosettle the
question. A commission was ap-
pointed by the government, which re-
ported in 1892 IN favor Of the opera
tion when performed with reasonable
skill
As has already been indicated, it is
believed that dehorning not only elimi-
mates the danger to life, and is there
fore of the utmost Importance, but it
has its economic bearing as well. It is
well understood that where the mich
cows are gently cared for, and not
over exercised, other things being
equal, more milk in produced. For
the same reason it is evident that beef
animals viii gain more rapidly where
hnrnlesa the nourishment exhausted
In fighting tendencies being stored up
as flesh. Animals are more cheaply
transported by live weight, when de-
horned, as more can be accommodated
I'm less space and with less danger.
The things necessary to successes In
dehorning are two strong, quiet men
OF nerve, q stout stall or stanchion, q
good nose ring, q pleasant day (nOt IN
Jg time, and some bandRges. tar and
absorbents to check the how Of blood
and a few extra handles for the ma
chine if clippers are used.
One Of last winters dairy school stu
dents and his brother purchased q pair
Of Keystone clippers twoIyears ago,
and after operating upon their own
herd, made g business Of dehorningt for
others at the rate of is cents per head.
Up to the present time they have de-
horned over 1900 animals in and about
Littleton.
Many Of the disagreeabIe features Of
dehorning may be avoided by prevent
ing the horns Of calves from develop
ing.
The horns Of cattle consist of two
parts Of different origin; the outer
horny shell is a growth derived from
she skin the inner part or pith consists
OF bone and is an outgroWth Of the
skull
At the birth Of the calf each of these
parts in undeveloped, and only exists
Is q possibility but they at once begin
10 grow, and in a short time the young
horn can be felt as a slight elevation
or button.
Bones are covered with @ tough,
hbrous membrane known as the peri
Ogteum, from the inner surface of
which new bone is continually being
formed upon the surface Of the old. It
ts inn this way that growth in size ia
produced, and it is thus that the bony
part of the horn grows.
The horny tissue develops from the
skin just as do hoofs and claws In the
lower animals and nails i'm human be-
ings. There is q zone in the skin about
the base Of the horn known as the mat
rix, from which new horn cells are
constantly being formed, the older
parts being pushed or. liz we destroy
the periosteum from which the bony
part Of the horn is formed and the
matrix from which the horny part is
formed We prevent the further develop
ment of the horn. In removing horns
which are already more or less de-
Teloped, as In dehorning mature ami
mails, the cut must be made deep
enough to include the matrix or the
stump OF the horn viii continue TO
grow. Il may not be out of place here
30 remark that there is no danger OF
cutting into the brain cavity, as at
this point it lies very deeply. The
opening frequently seen on removing
the horns are only empty spaces with
which the frontal bone is honeycombed.
In calves the growing points Of the
bones are small in extent and can be
destroyed with little trouble. This
could doubtless be done with q knife
but the station has used only caustiC
potash, sold in cam for soar making
and found it perfectly satisfactory.