TH

HE appendix to the last annual report of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in detailing a variety of cases in which convictions have been obtained, mentions one wherein a fine of £7, 12s. was imposed on the offender for "illtreating and torturing eight heifers by sawing off their horns close to their heads." The defendant, a farmer near Leyburn, appears to find justification for his barbarity in what he alleges to be the fact and he brings forward several witnesses to confirm his statement-that the custom is practised in Scotland. A similar case was tried in Dublin about three years ago, and a verdict obtained against the offender, after a lengthened debate, in the course of which testimony was borne by numerous witnesses to the cruelty of the practice. In the hope that it may stimultate to an investigation, we beg leave to cite a portion of the evidence given on that occasion by Professor Spooner, President of the Veterinary College, London. It is reported as follows :-

"I have said that I consider this to be a very gross act of cruelty, and for this reason: that the horns of oxen are unlike those of the deer species. They have a large proportion of bone growing out from the bone of the head, and that was surrounded by a heavy sen¡tive structure, so that, to cut the horns, they had to go below where it was simply horny, and the animal

had to suffer great pain. The nearer the operation was performed to the skull the greater the suffering. That bone was hollow-that is to say, it had not one single horned cavity-but it had several cells which extended into the head, though not to the brain, but close to it. These cavities were exposed by the removal of the horns to the air; and as they were lined with a delicate sensitive membrane-there being besides a delicate sensitive covering outside-great suffering must be caused. The cavities were never intended

by nature to be exposed to the air, which brought on an inflammatory condition. These cavities were very apt to be inflamed, and the inflammation was very likely to be extended to the membranes of the brain, causing madness, lockjaw, or other dangerous results. This operation is one of the most painful and unwarrantable that could possibly be performed on cattle."

Such is the evidence of a competent authority to the cruelty of the system; but as it is one of trickery also the object being to pass off the animals as polled cattle, and thereby to obtain a higher price for them the operation is done by stealth. But the question ought not to be suffered to rest—the custom is not a new one, and it surely claims the attention of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as of the friends of humanity throughout the country.

THE

following remarks on this subject were made by Lord Erskine in a speech at the recent annnal dinner of the Clackmannanshire Union Agricultural Society. Speaking of the great value of such meetings as that which had been held on that day by the Society, his lordship said :-"They give an impulse to the energies of agriculturists by creating competition and promoting rivalry, which, if carried on in a friendly manner, is, in my opinion, advantageous. They also give members the opportunity of seeing the advance which has been made from year to year in the science of agriculture. On both these points, however, enough has been said in connexion with other toasts to-day, and I will not occupy your time by saying more about them. But I think there is another, and a still more important object to be gained by these meetings. I mean the opportunity they give to landlord and tenants, and all interested in country pursuits, becoming acquainted with each other, and of meeting

on common ground and comparing ideas on subjects of mutual interest. Gentlemen, I wish these opportunities were more taken advantage of. If they were, I am convinced there would be a much better feeling among us. There is at present a tendency amongst all parties in the country to form classes and to look at things from a narrow and selfish point of view, and I am sorry to see this feeling existing, and I am afraid spreading among the tenant farmers of Scotland. I do not, however, refer to this country in particular, because I am happy to say I believe there is less of that tendency here than in other parts of the country. Now, gentlemen, regretting as I do this state of things, I do not think the tenant farmers are to blame for it, at any rate not in the first instance. I believe we must look to another quarter for the origin of the mischief. I mean to a great number of landed proprietors who do not take a personal interest in their estates, who never go near their tenants, and who

ook upon land simply as an investment for money, and utterly ignore all the duties and responsibilities which the possession of estates entails. Now, when you see proprietors behaving in this way you cannot wonder that tenants follow the example set them, and look exclusively after their own interests as a class; and from this state of things questions in which the interests of the two classes seem to clash are constantly arising. I think it is of the greatest importance that these causes of contention, which disturb that good feeling which should exist between landlord and ten

ant, should be removed in some way or other. On some of them legislation may be necessary, but I am convinced that if occasions like the present were more taken advantage of, and if all those interested in agriculture, or who from the possession of land ought to be so, would mix more together and exchange ideas, we should hear very little of such questions, both parties would come to see that their interests instead of being antagonistic are identical, and they would look at matters not from a narrow class point of view, but would work together for their common benefit.

ANUARY.-The breeding ewes ought to have a plentiful supply of roots in order to give them full condition prior to lambing; for, although it is argued by many that with ewes in a fat state a greater loss is sustained from deaths, I am inclined to think quite the opposite, and that ewes when full of flesh, are much more equal to combat difficult cases of parturition than when emaciated, and lean, in which latter state they often sink. Fattening sheep and hogs are now fed on cut swedes, with more or less artificial food, as they are intended for early maturity or otherwise.

February.-Although it is highly advisable to have ewes full of condition when they lamb, it has been proved that if they are fed on roots exclusively up to that term, the offspring is weak and delicate; it is, therefore, prudent to remove them to grass, and gradually diminish the supply of roots, up to veaning, and substitute, say a little cake, corn, maltculms, &c., any of which appear equally to tend to develope the fœtus, and therefore that which is cheapest may be selected.

March. In a large flock a few cases of abortion generally precede the lambing season which is not much to be feared, as in the ewe, unlike the cow, this casualty is not at all contagious, although the same cause may be productive of several cases which are, such as fright from dogs, jambing, forcing through gateways, &c., all of which ought to be studiously avoided. Rare instances of prolapsus uteri, too, occur prior to lambing-these cannot be avoided, but a skilful and attentive shepherd in the majority of cases delivers the ewe with impunity. Erect shelters in different parts of the paddocks, fields, &c., into which young lambs have to be turned, by placing hurdles in the section of a V and fill them with straw or litter; these form a protection against the sharp winds which may prevail, and which are so productive of those fatal attacks of crook. About the third week in March is

A paper road before the Boroughbridge Agricultural Society by the Secretary, Mr Thomas Scott.

the best time for ewes in this backward district to begin lambing. Having been marked in rotation as they took the ram, those which are due first should have close attention, and, if convenient, should be put during the nights in an airy house or yard with shelter, and be seen at intervals of an hour or so. In cases of difficult parturition let nature guide the shepherd, who should note the following, viz. :—Allow ample time before rendering assistance, and never attempt to extract a lamb without first having placed it in a natural position, which must be done patiently, cautiously, and dexterously. When much handling is resorted to use black oils to prevent gangrene. If the ewe appears debilitated give gruel with brandy or other stimulants with gentle purgatives. An efficient shepherd will not have triplets or pets, but will mother a third lamb or one which may have lost its mother upon a good nurse which has but one lamb. In cases of straining from after-pains give laudanum and castor oil. The stock of roots intended to be eaten on the land upon which they grew, should be so calculated that they are finished by the end of this month, so that their presence does not interfere with the operation of sowing the land with barley or other spring crops. Then arises the question, where can the remainder of the roots be most advantageously consumed? I have tried three experiments, viz. :-Firstly, on old sward, the result on which was that there was no marked improvement in the yield of grass, and unless folded and frequently changed the flock became almost simultaneously lame from inflammation, which ended in foot-rot. Secondly, on land intended for a root crop, with much more favourable issue than in the previous case, and when the breaks were littered with straw, a good crop of turnips followed, but they were much more unsound than others grown and manured in the ordinary way either in winter or at the time of sowing. Thirdly, on wheat, the results of which I have found to be more satisfactory, but which, by the way, should be grown studiously for this object

-viz., on light soil, and, if not, upon poor land after say oats or barley, the latter I prefer. In this case the fold should not be too large and the flock removed once a day.

April.-My notes for the foregoing month with respect to ewes apply also to this. In case of twins where one lamb is stronger than the other, muzzle it at short intervals, so that the weaker one may have its share of milk and consequently become a match for his fellow. In fine weather dock, castrate, and flock-mark the lambs at from three to six days old, house for a couple of nights, apply paint on the necks of the twin lambs as a safeguard from foxes, and turn away the ewes with singles into an ordinary pasture, but those with pairs should have a good pasture, or in addition to a middling one be allowed mangolds, a little corn or cake mixed with chaff, maltculms, &c. During this month a great saving in wool is effected by keeping the ewes free from doddings, which the young grass necessarily occasions. Mangolds often form part of the food of the sheep during this month, and they may be given with impunity to ewes, but not so with males, for when given ad libitum they cause an accumulation of sandy matter in the region of the bladder, which, if not quickly remedied, soon terminates in death.

May.-Ewes with twins should have cake so that the lambs may acquire a taste for it, and when they begin to eat it freely, it should be given in an enclosure into which the lambs only have ingress. In this month summering or pasturing may be said to commence, and I will here urge the necessity of frequent change of pasturage, and where the flock or a portion of it occupies but one field of clover, &c., it ought to be divided so as to admit of change so natural and beneficial to animals of the sheep kind in which change appears to be an innate principle. Water, too, especially to ewes giving suck is indispensable. Rock-salt ought to be placed within reach of sheep all the year round, as it tends to keep them healthy. Too much cannot be said against early clipping, the disadvantages are so great and the advantages so small, especially in this cold climate. Why should we be the first to divest our sheep of their clothing when it has been proved that a sheep will, when shorn in cold weather, loose several pounds of flesh per week, and by this injudicious practice ewes giving suck are almost de prived of milk? I presume that such folly is kept up because in this district is held the first wool fair of the

season.

June. The flock throughout should now be dipped, to secure the destruction of vermin on the skin, whilst the wool is short; amongst the numerous composition sused for this purpose, I have found the glycerine to answer best. About the end of this month lambs may be weaned, when a better pasture can be afforded them, and they rest and fare better than with their dams. Cast ewes are now put on good pasturage, with cake, &c., and forced as quickly as possible, so that when ripe they can be mixed off with a parcel of

young sheep, and consequently fetch a higher price than when sold as ewes in one bargain. Stock ewes from this to the beginning of October should perform the office of field scavengers, by cleaning up all overeaten pastures, paring down any rough swards, &c. ; should be laid rank on the ground, and cost very little in keep.

July. In woody districts flies are now very troublesome, and their constant teasings interfere much with the quietude and well-being of the sheep. The flock, therefore, during this and the rest of the summer months should occasionally be closely packed in a pen, and have a sprinkling of a mixture of spirits of tar and sulphur from a garden watering-can, and their heads dressed with a similar mixture of thicker consistency, which is less heating, and, therefore, preferable to caps. These applications will ward off the flies, and contribute materially to the animals' comfort, and leave them to graze in peace. During this and the following month lambs require the especial vigilance not only of the shepherd but of his master, for it is a difficult matter, in the absence of a second crop of clover, or some such luxurious herbage, to keep them progressing and healthy up to the time of placing them on turnips, and too much attention cannot be paid to the pasturage, change of food, &c., for a few days on an over-grossy old seed or pasture field may cause scouring, and otherwise so derange their weak and sensitive stomachs that months may elapse ere they again begin to thrive, and even serious losses from death have too frequently resulted from this and kindred causes.

August.-Stock ewes should now be upon inferior pastures, and cost as little as possible. As pastures, whether permanent grass or clover, now deteriorate in quality feeding sheep should have a little extra artificial food, and also frequent change of pasturage. Lambs ought now to be placed on clover or grass aftermath. During the busy season of harvest the flock too frequently is neglected, and should therefore be dipped just prior to the commencement, in order that there may be less risk from maggotting and loss of condition from fly-teasing.

September.-Feeding sheep and lambs should now be put on turnips, some of an early sort having been proved for them. It is customary, and strongly advocated by many flockmasters, that roots should be cut from the first day. Now, after frequent tests, I have found that on white or other soft sorts, it is as well to let them gnaw the turnips, for in this way they sooner acquire a realish for that which they at first have a decided dislike to.

October. So that lambs are not dropped before there is a promise of grass-say the third week in March, the ewes ought to receive the ram about the third week in October, a fortnight both prior to and after which they should be allowed a liberal supply of rape, mustard, or roots, so that they may be in an improving condition, which will ensure a heavy crop of lambs, and I think this is further secured by

"stocking," which is at all times safe and economical. As so much diversity of opinion exists as to the most profitable and suitable breed of sheep for this district, and as our subject does not deal with the breed but with the management of sheep, I will not venture on this head; but merely add that, after upwards of twenty years' experience, during which time I have tried several distinct breeds and crosses, I have found upon my farm that Leicesters can be laid much thicker on the ground, a much greater quantity of both mutton and wool to the acre than any other breed; the only drawback that I have observed is, that they are light milkers, and, therefore, not adapted for purposes of selling lambs off fat to the butcher, or as stores in autumn.

November.—Assuming that the soft turnips are finished, and that the feeding sheep and hoggets are now on swedes, which during this and the following months should be lifted, and that portion which is intended to be consumed on the land should be pitched or carted into small conical heaps, of about one-anda-half ordinary cart loads each, formed at equal distances―i.e., if the land is of uniform quality throughout the field; but, if the soil should vary materially, then the heaps should be dispersed with due regard to this, so that the succeeding grain crop should vary as little as possible, and, if cake or corn is given, the troughs should be placed on the poorest part of the field. In storing the root crop, the distance at which the rows of heaps should be placed ought to be regulated by

the magnitude of the flock, so that they pretty well occupy the distance from row to row, and the straw which has covered the preceding row of heaps should be nicely spread over the ground on the opposite side of the break to that on which the troughs must, for the sake of convenience, necessarily be placed, in order that that portion may be equally as well manured as the opposite side. In the days of cattle plague, when it was a difficult matter to get straw converted into manure, I used that article liberally for littering the breaks, with great advantage to the succeeding crop. Whilst on this subject, it may not be out of place to allude to the practice of wintering sheep in yards, although the system seems somewhat unnatural. When, unfortunately, obliged to adopt this plan, I found that sheep were disinclined to leave the yard when allowed to do so, that they consumed much less food than when in the fields, and that they made mutton rapidly; but the great objection to this course was the difficulty in keeping them sound. Manure made under sheep is of uniform and superior quality.