550 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



stitutes a great eyesore. It may be you occasionally hide a fault, but 

 as a rule for every one you hide you add two. 



"Grooming. — Grooming is as necessary with show-cattle as with horses. 

 No matter how you feed, if you neglect elbow grease you will never join 

 the front ranks, that is if the cattle are to show to perfection. In the 

 case of cattle, grooming need not be commenced until within three 

 months of the date of show. The cattle, it is presumed, have for several 

 months previous been well fed and kept clean. In this condition to 

 begin with, three months thorough grooming should put them in form. 

 Half the game in showing cattle is to have them good in their coats, and 

 stock-owners who fail to handle their animals so as to make them look 

 their very best need not expect to win against those who do. Provide 

 a warm rug, the same as is used for horse clothing; if one is not 

 sufficient take two. Unless the weather is very cold the blankets do not 

 require to be on all the time; they can be taken off during the night or 

 during exercise. If the blankets are kept on fourteen hours daily 

 they will soon do their work in taking the old hair off. If the weather 

 is not frosty a good washing with carbolic soap and tepid water should be 

 given at the commencement of the sheeting period; this will help to 

 lessen the dandruff in the hide. If the bedding be well looked after once 

 a month will be often enough to wash. 



"A dandy brush, a thoroughly good soft brush, a chamois skin or piece 

 .of thick flannel, are the tools for putting on a polish, and the skin be- 

 comes soft under their treatment. A currycomb should never be used 

 except for the purpose of combing down the hind parts when necessary, 

 as the comb, except when very lightly applied, is certain to scratch and 

 irritate the skin. In rubbing with the cloth it must be done quickly. 

 It takes an enormous amount of work to make the skins of cattle shine, 

 but nothing else will do it. For putting on the final touch no brush or 

 cloth can equal the bare hand, hand-rubbing will also remove the old 

 coat quicker than either comb or brush. Some fancy they can, with one 

 washing and a few times grooming, do all that can be done, but this is 

 a mistake. There is the greatest difference imaginable between the one 

 that has been prepared by months of labor and the other hastily got up. 

 The one article is genuine and will last, the other will fade between 

 the stall and the ring. 



"Advice. — I advise every exhibitor not only to be the feeder but the 

 breeder of the animals he exhibits; then he has no divided honors, but 

 harvests the full fruits of his enterprise. Masters, encourage a deserv- 

 ing feeder or herdsman; you are in a great measure in their power; 

 show them you appreciate the struggle they are making for you. A few 

 kind words, instead of grumbling, will often prove more acceptable to 

 a faithful conscientious man than pecuniary reward. Master and man 

 must work hand in hand. If the herdsman's labors are duly recognized, 

 depend on it he will do his duty by you. Many of them are men of 

 marked intelligence, anxious to attain eminence in their sphere of life. 

 Lastly commence training your show animals in early youth, and in 

 feeding let your motto be, Give the stomach a chance." 



