Dehorning is not considered a cruelty as some people hold it, as horns on cattle do not only add discomfort to themselves but add to the owner's risk. It is much better, safer and I think more humane to prevent the growth of horns on calves after they are three or four days old by rubbing the elevations where the horns make their appearance with a pencil of Caustic Potash after being moistened with cold water. Repeat this application two or three times, which is generally sufficient. When dehorning cattle with clippers or saw, it is well to remove about one-half inch of the flesh of the horn. This gives their head a much better appearance after the horns are removed and healed. When a horn is freshly amputated, apply Oil of Tar occasionally, as it is an antiseptic and prevents infection and the annoyance of flies. However, this should be performed during the season when the flies are less numerous. [Illustration: Photograph of cow.] CHAMPION JERSEY COW GREY PORTIA. Owned by Mrs. Nelle Fabyan, Geneva, Ill. DROPSY (Ascities) CAUSE: Usually seen in old animals or cattle fed on poor food where the blood becomes so poor, so to speak, that Dropsy follows, The presence of worms frequently stimulates excessive secretions of fluid, producing Dropsy. SYMPTOMS: The abdomen is abnormally increased in size, flanks are gaunt, paleness of the membranes of the mouth and eyes and a general weakness. Pressure with the hand on the abdominal walls will produce a splashing, watery sound. TREATMENT: The cause at first should be determined and the disease treated accordingly. If due to worms, withhold all food for twenty-four hours. Place two ounces of Oil of Turpentine in gelatin capsules and give with capsule gun. Follow this in six hours with two drams of Aloin, three drams of Ginger in gelatin capsule and give with capsule gun. Feed nourishing food as wheat bran mashes and one cup of Flaxseed meal once a day. In their drinking water place one dram of Potassium Iodide two or three times a day. See that this water is drunk and give no other until this is consumed by the animal. ECZEMA CAUSE: Insanitary surroundings, as warm, damp stables. Overfeeding, swills, decomposed vegetables. Applying irritating drugs to the skin. SYMPTOMS: Redness of the skin and the animal rubs itself; is usually confined to a small area at first, but eventually spreads. Considerable inflammation is present, also eruptions of the skin which discharge white, serous, sticky fluid, terminating in scabs and thickness of the skin. Sometimes suppuration or formation of pustules containing pus is present. These symptoms do not always occur in regular succession; in some cases the serums oozing from the skin will be more prominent than in others.