238 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 



although occasionally scurs appear, which, however, are 

 no detriment from the feeder's point of view. 



The Aberdeen-Angus cattle rapidly rose in public favor. 

 Sales were held at various points, and the cattle were 

 scattered over a large territory. Perhaps there is no other 

 instance in which a new and practically unknown breed 

 has sprung at once into such prominence and has main- 

 tained so high a position. 



270. Description. Aberdeen-Angus cattle are dis- 

 tinguished by the following breed characteristics (Figs. 

 38, 39) : black color, polled heads (Plate VIII), rotund 

 compact type, smoothness of conformation, short legs, 



evenness of flesh 

 when fat, and deep, 

 full hind-quarters. 

 | They are uniform in 

 type, take on flesh 

 evenly, dress a large 

 percentage of high- 

 class beef, and, as a 



FIG. 38. -Aberdeen-Angus bull. rule ' Feach the 



hands of experienced 



feeders a degree of primeness rarely equaled. The mar- 

 bling of their flesh, i.e., its proportion and blending of lean 

 meat and fat, is also a characteristic. In slaughter tests 

 they have been uniformly successful in competition with 

 other cattle, their fineness of bone and high percentage 

 of muscle or lean meat giving them dressing scores which 

 average above those of competitors. In hardiness and 

 prolificacy they do not differ materially from other breeds. 

 The females, usually good average milkers, are always 

 capable of raising their own offspring. 



In the early days of the breed there was not so much 



