216 



EXPERIMENT STATION-BULLETINS. 



It is of importance to know how mnch merchantable beef can be obtained 

 from the different breeds. This is shown in table V., also the weight of 

 parts. 



Some of the prize steers of the show of 1888, slaughtered the same day the 

 experimental steers were, are placed in the same table for purposes of com- 

 parison. 



As far as possible, animals of about the same age as the College lot were 

 chosen, that the comparison might be fair. 



It will be noticed that the showing is very creditable to the experimental 

 steers, especially when it is remembered that they were not fattened pur- 

 posely for the show, and that they were at the fairs four weeks in September 

 and October, 1888. 



Table VI. — Shrinkage in carcass after hanging 36 hours, and weight of dressed 



quarters. 



Breed. 



Hereford... 



Jersey 



Galloway.. 

 Shorthorn. 

 Holstein.... 



Name of Animal. .Sf<u 



Devon Latitude 1,240 



Hendricks 1,430 



1,460 

 1,570 



Roscoe 



King Jumbo 



Homer ' 1,810 



Nicholas j ' 1,620 



416 

 433 

 553 

 546 

 546 

 533 



"5 



824 



997 



907 



1,024 



1,261 



1,087 



00 CC 



OS 00 



u tc 



is 



«_ a 



O 03 

 «■" 



■s ■- ■ 



'3 £ < 



777 

 927 

 868 

 971 

 1,210 

 1,014 



53 



3 



er 





?04 

 243 

 232 

 266 

 329 

 255 



Table VI. is interesting as showing the number of pounds each carcass 

 shrank after hanging 36 hours, and the weight of the quarters. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



1st. The experiment seems to indicate that there is bat little difference in 

 the cost per pound of raising steers of the different breeds under the same 

 conditions. The superiority of the beef breeds rather lies in their early 

 maturing qualities, which enables the feeder to turn them off, well ripened, 

 at two instead of three years. 



2d. That calves brought up on the pail, when properly fed, will make as 

 much growth and be equally as valuable for feeding as if they were allowed 

 to suckle their dams. 



3d. That there is likely to be a wide margin of difference between the 

 judgments of the feeder, the butcher and the consumer, when they pass 

 upon the bullock in the live classes, in the carcass competition as well as in 

 the testing of the edible qualities of the meat. 



4th. That prejudice resulting from a lack of information may be, too often 

 is, the basis of our estimates of the comparative value of breeds. 



5th. That early maturing breeds may be kept until over ripe, thus lessen- 

 ing the value of the carcass for the consumer. 



