as been fastened to the fence. A pair of clean
scissors, or a sharp knife, which may be kept in a five per cent.
carbolic acid solution when not in use, serve to cut off the distal end
of the scrotum. The testicles are then seized with the fingers and drawn
out. The operator drops the castrated kid into the large enclosure and
the assistant presents another kid. Two men can operate on sixty kids an
hour. The testicles are slippery and some herders prefer to use the
teeth instead of the fingers to extract the testicles. Under no
circumstances should any unclean thing be put into the scrotum. Death
usually results from infection, and infection from uncleanliness. A
little boracic acid might be sprinkled over the cut surface as an
additional precaution, but this is unnecessary if ordinary cleanliness
is observed. If after a few days the kid's scrotum swells, and does not
discharge, the scrotum should be opened with a clean instrument. Less
than one-half of one per cent. of the kids will die from this
operation.

RIDGLINGS.

While castrating the kids the operator will discover that some of the
kids have but one descended testicle. When these animals are found the
descended testicle should be removed, and they should be recognized by
some distinctive ear mark or brand. These animals will develop like
bucks. It is a disputed question as to whether they are able to exercise
regenerative power, but they will cover the does, and in some cases they
probably get kids. The undescended testicle can be removed, but as the
testicle usually lies close to the kidney, and is hard to distinguish
from that organ in the young animal, it is best to delay the operation
until the ridgling is at least six months old. The instruments necessary
for this operation are a stout rope to suspend the animal, a clean sharp
knife, scissors to remove the mohair from the place to be incised, and
sharp needles threaded with silk. The knife, scissors and silk should be
immersed in a hot 5% carbolic acid solution, and they should be kept in
this solution except when actually in use.

The rope is fastened to the hind legs of the animal and he is suspended
in midair. An assistant steadies the body of the goat. The operator
selects a place on the loin of the goat, about two or three inches away
from the backbone, below the ribs and above the hip bone, on the side
opposite to that which the descended testicle occupied. He then shears
the mohair from this par