FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 367 



Recognizing then the real value of and necessity for both types shall the 

 judge, in order that he may at all times and in all quarters be termed con- 

 sistent, turn down the best yearling in a ring of one type because he had 

 placed the best animal of the opposite type first in the two-year-old ring? Or 

 going further than this, suppose in the same ring there are two high-class 

 specimens of opposite types, shall the judge throw out one top specimen for 

 second place because he has placed first a top specimen of an opposite type 

 and substitute an inferior specimen of a corresponding type simply in order 

 that he may be termed consistent? I like an adherence to type in awards up 

 to the point that one animal does not beat a better one. When one carries 

 it to that point it is time to back up and think a bit, and for one, I question 

 the fairness or justice of such an award. 



Another point which may well receive the recognition and consideration 

 of all is the matter of condition, and the extent to which it shall affect 

 awards. It is commonly said the judge should take the cattle as he finds 

 them and rate them accordingly; that the judge has nothing to do with the 

 past or future of an animal; if the entry is lacking in condition turn it down; 

 if the entry has had a bit too much of it turn it down. Up to a certain 

 point this idea is probably correct, but I am of the opinion it should be 

 modified somewhat. If a fresh one with light fitting — with lines about 

 right (smooth, even and well turned), that shows the feeding quality to 

 insure the proper outcome under fair treatment — appears in a ring, I find it 

 hard to turn down. It is a poor rule that will not work both ways— almost 

 in a single season of fitting and showing an animal may reach and pass the 

 period of greatest bloom and most perfect show condition, and so if the 

 deep, wide, thick, massive one— wonderful in type and conform,ation — 

 shows a bit of a roll or a little letting down at some point, shall we turn it 

 down because of this and place ahead of it an animal in perfect bloom but 

 deficient in some vital point? 



Bearing on the matter of condition in show cattle, particularly as regards 

 our fitting and overdone entries, is the rule inaugurated by the management 

 of the International that ' 'judges are instructed to award prizes for breed- 

 ing cattle in the different classes in the order in which they as buyers for a 

 valuable consideration and without warranty of usefulness would make se- 

 lections therefrom for breeding purposes; due consideration being given on 

 the one hand to the accepted maxim of breeding that like produces like and 

 on the other hand to the doubtful utility for breeding purposes of overfed 

 animals, not considering color or breeding." This excellent and carefully 

 worded rule has been prepared for a most worthy purpose and for use in a 

 show that in the mind of the writer outranks all others as a public educator. 

 In three years successive work as a judge at this show I gave a certain 

 amount of consideration to this rule and allowed it to have some bearing on 

 awards but I have gone so far as to wonder what particular form of death 

 would be dealt out to the judge who enforced it to the letter. In spite of 

 this rule and all efforts toward reform in this matter the champion cow, 

 shown as a breeder, is commonly in higher condition than the champion 

 steer on foot and the champion steer on foot is commonly in higher condi- 

 tion than the steer that carries the champion carcass. It is not strange then 

 that the question is sometimes asked why cattle in the breeding rings should 

 be fatted beyond a point where it is possible for a fat steer to win. Whether 



