THE BEEF BREEDS OF CATTLE 229 



the skin to a few of the forward lumbar vertebrae, and are 

 common to all cattle. The indentations are caused by the 

 uplifting of the skin surrounding the tie by a great 

 deposit of flesh along the spinal column. When of a 

 pronounced character, these ties are not looked on with 

 much favor by the breeders of fancy Herefords, as they 

 detract somewhat from the smooth, rounded appearance 

 of the body, although they are a very reliable indication 

 of the great depth of flesh that covers the frame of the 

 animal. Breeders sometimes loosen these ties in animals 

 they are fitting for 

 exhibition by a slight 

 surgical operation, 

 that is not very diffi- 

 cult of execution, 

 whereby the depres- 

 sion in the skin dis- 

 appears and leaves the 

 back perfectly smooth 



and even. FIG. 37. - Hereford cow. 



The coat of hair of the Hereford is regarded by the 

 breeders as a feature of much importance. The preference 

 is that it should be long, soft and curly, as indicative of a 

 certain degree of quality in the animal. Such coats are 

 regarded as furnishing some protection against cold in 

 winter and, in some animals, a protection against flies 

 in summer. At the great fairs and other shows, much 

 care is taken by the Hereford exhibitors to have the coats 

 of their animals properly cleaned and manipulated, so 

 as to present a curly appearance and set off the form of 

 the animal to the best advantage. 



The most valuable characteristic of the Hereford is his 

 disposition to accumulate flesh at all ages. The Hereford 



