CHAPTER XXIIL 



BEEF CATTLE. DIFFERENCES IN BREED REGULARITY OF CON- 

 DITION PROPER AGES FOR FATTENING MODES OF FEEDING 



SHAPE OF FAT CATTLE. 



THE rearing of cattle for beef only, is purely an economical 

 question, and the profit or loss in rearing and feeding them, 

 depends, in a measure, on the breed of the animal, and the 

 locality where they are reared and fed. 



We have already shown the money value of the beef product 

 of the country. We have discussed the different breeds best 

 adapted to make it, and to a wise selection from' them, both the 

 breeder, and the grazier must look, measurably, for the profit 

 they are to receive in their production and feeding. It costs the 

 breeder no more to breed a good calf than a poor one. It costs 

 the grazier no more to feed a good steer or heifer than a poor 

 one. It costs the stall-feeder no more to fat a good, than a poor 

 one all owing to the superior fitness of the animal for the pur- 

 pose. Some cattle are so anatomically formed as to make it 

 impossible for them to take on flesh in the right places, or even 

 to take much flesh at all. It is therefore of the highest conse- 

 quence, that only the right kinds be used for that purpose. 

 Some animals will only mature their carcasses into good beef at 

 five, six, or more years old, while others will be well matured at 

 three to four, or in spayed heifers, at two years. The first of 

 these, as slow feeders, are unprofitable to all who touch them ; 

 the others are profitable at every age, from calf hood to slaughter. 



If, in light of all the observation and experience we have on 



