864 A HISTORY OF SHORT-HORN CATTLE. 



and this is the plan pursued by the more enter- 

 prising element. There is no denying the fact 

 that many a grand Short-horn has been ruined 

 for breeding purposes by long-continued train- 

 ing for show. Under the system of judging 

 that has been prevalent on both sides of the 

 water for half a century it has been idle to 

 exhibit cattle that were not heavily fed. Cat- 

 tle of delicate constitution quickly succumb to 

 this pressure and even the most rugged types 

 gradually give way under it. Injury from ex- 

 cessive feeding is greatest in the case of ma- 

 tured animals, and on this account the mana- 

 gers of our modern shows have modified their 

 requirements in the case of herds in such way 

 as to render it unnecessary to fit so many aged 

 cows as were formerly necessary. What is 

 known as the graded or "step-ladder" herd 

 simply calls for a bull two years old or over, 

 one cow three years old or over, one two-year- 

 old heifer, one yearling heifer and one heifer 

 calf. This is a change of distinct advantage to 

 the breeder. 



So long as there are honors and fame to be 

 gained by these public contests there will be 

 found men to fit and show their stock. Men 

 will "seek the bubble reputation even at the 

 cannon's mouth/ 7 Cattle-breeders will not be 

 deterred from engaging in the great show-yard 

 battles by the mere possibility of injury or loss 



