SECRETARY'S REPORT. 45 



improvement in the first, than is likely to appear in any subse- 

 quent generation. 



A very important consideration, and one that breeders of 

 cattle must keep constantly in view, is that their stock should 

 be healthy, and the first points to be considered when selecting 

 cattle, are those by which we can form a correct judgment as 

 to constitution. A wide, deep chest in all animals is an indica- 

 tion of robust constitution, and is, no doubt, the point of shape 

 to which breeders should look when selecting either males or 

 females. It is not enough that a bull or a cow should show a 

 wide, full breast in front, but the width should extend back 

 along the briskit, and show itself just under and between the 

 elbows. Fullness through the region of the heart is indispen- 

 sable in either sex. The general aspect of a bull should be 

 masculine. This masculine appearance, even to the extent of 

 a slight degree of coarseness, may not be objectionable. Bulls 

 for the sire of feeding stock should have muscular necks, and 

 a full muscle along each side of the back bone; the thigh should 

 be full, the muscle extending nearly to the hoof; they should 

 have a straight, level back, the ribs springing out in a horizontal 

 direction, and gently curving into a round barrel shape, pre- 

 senting a side view as near a parallelogram as possible. 



One other point, and one never to be overlooked by dealers 

 when purchasing cattle either for beef, work, or milk, is that 

 they should be what is called good handlers ; that is, possess a 

 moderately thick, mellow, elastic skin. A good handler will 

 invariably be in good health, have a good constitution, feed 

 kindly, and fat rapidly. This mellowness of skin is due to the 

 proper condition of the cellular tissue. The cells of this tissue 

 are filled with fluid, and when pressed upon by the fingers, 

 yield it to the adjoining cells, which immediately return it when 

 the pressure is taken off, giving an elastic feel or touch to the 

 skin. The cellular tissue is the receptacle for fat. The more 

 abundantly it exists, the better an animal will handle, and the 

 more fat will be formed. Small ears, quick and sensible to 

 every new sound, small bones, and thick, fine soft hair, are all 

 indications of aptitude to fatten. Cattle of a general coarse 

 appearance, exhibiting a want of cellular tissue, or those which 

 are bad handlers, will be found to possess large ears, coarse, wiry 

 hair, and large bones, and will prove slow feeders. Whoever 



