FITTING CATTLE FOR SHOW RING. 129 



animals; also, it may be the cause of great bodily waste and 

 loss of fat. In case of animals which are badly off feed or 

 very weak in their legs such a system will often prove very 

 good. The other system is to keep the animals in comfort- 

 able, roomy box-stalls all the time except for a couple of 

 hours in the cool of the evening when they are allowed the 

 run of an open lot without any grass. On their return to 

 the stalls they are given their evening ration and left to rest 

 during the night. By adopting this method the feeder has 

 complete control of the animal's feed, thus is not likely to 

 be troubled with bloat, scours 'and other troubles caused by 

 weeds in the grass lot, or too much washy grass, which so 

 often mars the otherwise keen appetite. They should always 

 be liberally bedded and given every comfort possible. 



Grooming. This is a most necessary part of the care of 

 animals intended for the show ring. It is just as essential 

 during the last three months as careful feeding. Cattle which 

 have been well bedded and kept clean can usually be gotten 

 into good form by about three months grooming. It is half 

 the battle in showing cattle to have their coats in good con- 

 dition, and stock owners who fail to have their cattle in the 

 very best possible form need not expect to win in strong 

 competition. If you wish to shed the coat this may be done 

 by the use of a warm blanket. If one is not sufficient, use 

 two. The blankets need not be kept on except during the 

 day. In addition wash the animals at least twice a week 

 with carbolic soap and tepid warm water. This will cleanse 

 the skin and do away with all dandruff and other scurf. In 

 grooming use a good, soft brush and a piece of thick flannel 

 or chamois skin and the skin will soon become soft under 

 this treatment. The curry comb, if used at all, must be used 

 very lightly, as it is likely to scratch and irritate the skin. 

 A skillful user of the cloth does his rubbing in a quick man- 

 ner, as then it is much more effective. Constant use of a 

 good flannel cloth is the only sure and safe way of securing 

 a soft and shining coat of hair. In putting on the final touch 

 nothing is more effective than the use of the bare hand in 

 rubbing. A good coat of hair and a soft mellow touch can- 

 not be secured in a week. It will take at least two or three 

 months of faithful work. In this connection the writer once 

 labored for six months to secure the proper bloom on a year- 

 ling bull. It came, but it took elbow grease and persistence 

 to secure the velvet touch. 



