38 



exercise. If animals are not properly exercised, they lose their 

 appetite and become sluggish, under which conditions it doesn't 

 take long for them to lose flesh. Cattle may be turned out at 

 night in large pastures. When possible, they may be led by a 

 halter, which will make them easy to handle before the judge. 

 Hogs should be compelled to walk from a quarter to half a mile 

 a day. 



Next in importance is feed. Both cattle and hogs should be 

 so fed as to be well filled out. This makes them look larger and 

 more vigorous. They should not be overfat, for then judges 

 will often discriminate against them. A variety of foods should 

 be used in the rations in order to stimulate the appetite. Suc- 

 culent feeds and bulky grains should make up a large part of 

 the rations until a few weeks before going to the fair, when the 

 succulent feed should be reduced in order to get the animals 

 on to the hay and grain which will probably be fed on the fair 

 grounds. Beet pulp, ground oats, wdieat bran and linseed meal 

 are good feeds to use in fitting show cattle. Corn chop and 

 tankage or wheat bran, rolled barley and linseed meai will put 

 the bloom on hogs. The feeding should be done at regular 

 intervals, the animals being given only what they will eagerly 

 clean up. Any left o\'er feed should be removed before new 

 is given. If an animal loses her appetite or gets fussy about 

 her feed, take it away from her and wait until she is hungry. 

 Watch the digestive system and, in case of constipation, give 

 cattle a dose of raw linseed oil and hogs a dose of epsom salts. 



From four to six weeks before the fair opens, cattle should 

 be brought into the barn. They should be thoroughly washed 

 to remove all dirt. Those with thick, shaggy coats should be 

 clipped. During the daytime, they should be kept out of the 

 bright sun. Light blankets should be put on in order to make 

 the skin soft and pliable, keep it clean and give the hair a good 

 luster. Daily grooming is now necessary as this will stimulate 

 the oil glands in the skin and make the hair sleek and glossy. 

 Cattle should not be washed too frecjuently, as this will re- 

 move the natural oil from the hair. After grooming, go over 

 the animal with an oily flannel or woolen rag to make the hair 

 stay down and give an additional gloss to it. If the animal has 

 horns they too should be made attractive. Use a rasp to get the 

 scaly part ofif, and then scrape the entire horn with a steel 

 scraper. Later use emery cloth and finish by rubbing the horn 

 up with an oily flannel rag. The hoofs should also be trimmed 

 and rubbed up with an oiled rag. 



Hogs should also be kept away from the bright sun and given 

 an occasional washing during the month before fair time. Their 

 feet may need trimming so they will stand squarely on their 

 toes and they should be gone over thoroughly at stated intervals 

 with a light oil and stift" brush. 



Before starting for the fair grounds see that you have your 

 own tools and equipment to care for your animals while there. 



