224 BOARD OF AGRTCTJLTURE. 



ill the first hiilf of tlio stoor's life. After this time, attention should Ijc 

 (lire«teil more pjirtieulMrly to the hiyin^' of flesh and fat, as these are of 

 prime importance when it comes to the show ring or shambles. It is 

 easy to feed a yearling and bring him out smooth and well-tleshed, but 

 when it eoines to a two-yeiir-old tlie problem is more diftictdt, as many 

 steers of this age beeonie patchy and roll or get liabl^y unless these 

 points are successfully guarded by careful feeding and plenty of exercise. 

 As the .show approaches, it is generally necessary to give steers a daily 

 walk of a half to one hour in order to give them a good appetite, harden 

 them up and strengthen their legs and keep them from getting foot-sore. 

 During the last three or four montlis the coat should receive careful at- 

 tention as to grooming, washing, blanketing and exposure, as a good coat 

 not only lends to the appearance, but covers many defects, where properly 

 handled. These are points that can only l)e attained Ijy careful study of 

 your animals, constant attention to their needs and comfort, and even 

 then, a man may fail in his efforts to bring his steers out in the pink of 

 condition. 



I will say that we feel pretty well over what we did with Shorthorn!; 

 at the International. This has already had its effect on the university. 

 I say it is hard for me to tell ,you just how to feed a steer, because all 

 steers are not just alike and will not require the same kind of feeding. 

 I can't say to you that you must feed so much Ijran and so much ^rain 

 at each feeding. In my paper I have tried to mention the particular 

 things. Some steers are difficult to feed. Ours was one of that kind. 

 If you changed his diet it would make him nervous, yet, at the Interna- 

 tional he did tine, and he was one of those fellows that would show it 

 if you made any changes with him, or if you changed his diet. Our 

 steer was not in a very good condition a month l>efore the show, but we 

 studied feeds, the amoimt of exercise, etc., and paid a great deal of atten- 

 tion to the little points. We must give a good deal of credit to the man 

 that fed this steer. Of course I made suggestions as to the feed and 

 methods, and how much exerci.se he should have, and called his attention 

 to several points that are too often ignored l)y expert feeders. I do not 

 mean to .say that we have done anything great, but I feel that we showed 

 the right type of steer at the International— we showed the right type of 

 Shorthorn steer, and was bred in Indiana, and fed in Indiana. We must 

 not send inferior fellows, for good steers will sell Shorthorn cattle. I 

 thank you for coming before me. and should ])e pleased to answer any 

 questions that you may ask. I should like to hear this paper discussed. 

 I know some of you will take exceptions to it, Imt I am here to defend 

 anything that I have said. 



Vice-President Christian: Gentlemen. I hope that you will discuss 

 this paper. It is very important. 1 see that Mr. Luther Moorman was 

 to discuss it— was assigned to discuss it, but he is not here, and I hope 

 every member present will express themselves. This .is something that I 



