LECTURE IX. 



POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN JUDGING BREEDING 

 CATTLE. 



In judging breeding cattle, it is necessary to take into 

 account the interests of the butcher and feeder. These have 

 already been considered. There are certain characteristics, 

 however, which are important to the breeder, which have 

 not been considered. 



Pedigree, or the purity of blood an animal possesses, is a 

 valuable asset, but this cannot be considered in judging 

 breeding cattle in the show ring. Individuality is the sole 

 test. Like produces like. "As the parents are, so shall the 

 children be." This principle is recognized as the ruling one. 



In judging beef bulls the following points should be ob- 

 served : 



Masculinity. 



In a bull possessing this important characteristic, a single 

 glance at the head alone will reveal the male. The head is 

 short, broad, and has a burly appearance, due to the fullness 

 of forehead, and the width at the crown. The horns are 

 short, but massive, and the face is usually covered with 

 curly hair. The neck is short, powerful, and surmounted by 

 a heavy crest, and there is a massiveness about the animal 

 which impresses one with its sense of reserve strength. This 

 is characteristic of all great bulls, and may be said to indicate 

 vigor and prepotency, or a capacity to beget calves like them- 

 selves. 



Form. 



The form should correspond in general to the type desired 

 by the butcher and feeder. The same levelness of lines, 

 spring of rib, depth and width of body as is sought for in the 

 choice feeder and prime steer, should be present. 



Natural Flesh. 



"Thick-fleshed cattle breed thick-fleshed cattle," was thf> 

 laconic comment of a successful veteran breeder. True*- 



