856 A HISTORY OF SHORT-HORN CATTLE. 



is thin, coarse, wiry or harsh. The skin should 

 be of good thickness, not thin or "papery/ 7 as 

 that indicates delicacy of constitution. It 

 should be pliable to the touch, covering a mel- 

 low cushion of evenly-distributed flesh. Hard- 

 handling cattle of inferior fleshing capacity are 

 found more frequently among the dark-red 

 Short-horns than among those of other colors. 

 The roans and such reds as have yellow skins 

 are usually animals of better quality. 



Constitution, character and conformation. 

 Vigor must ever be a paramount consideration. 

 Without sound constitution there is no hope of 

 thrift or fertility. A pre-disposition to disease 

 is a fault fatal to all success or profit. Exces- 

 sive inbreeding and " pampering" for show are 

 among the prime causes of physical deteriora- 

 tion; leading to impaired vitality and fatty de- 

 generation. 



The bull should be of positive masculine 

 type, with a strong head and horn. At matur- 

 ity he should be possessed of what is commonly 

 called "character"; a term which maybe briefly 

 defined as meaning "individuality." Weak 

 heads and countenances, of the negative sort 

 usually seen in steers, do not indicate in the 

 bull prepotency or the power to impress his 

 own likeness with uniformity upon his prog- 

 eny. The neck should be thick and not too 

 long. The shoulders may be wide and well de- 



