132 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



of the head, next the neck, then the breast, and so on. The 

 relationship of each part to the other must be considered so 

 as to get a fair idea of the strong and weak points in the 

 conformation. Thus in the first lessons in judging, system- 

 atic study becomes a feature in the use of the score card, 

 which is a very important lesson in itself. 



The relative value of the parts is also shown in the use 

 of the score card. When a specimen of a breed is being 

 studied, we must remember that we are using a scale of 

 points that has probably been adopted, after much careful 

 study and comparison, by a committee of experienced men 

 most familiar with that breed. Thus we get the best measure 

 possible of this breed, and in the scale we learn what parts 

 are most highly regarded, and which least. If we are using 

 a score card such as relates to a fat hog, where breed is not 

 considered, such as is in common use in the agricultural 

 schools, then we find that experts have made this up so as 

 to give the proper values to the different parts of the body. 

 No matter what kind of score card we are using, we may be 

 quite sure that it will give a recognized place and value to 

 each part or group of parts. The various breeds of live 

 stock of much the same type have scales of points that place 

 similar values on what may be called their most important 

 characters. For example, all the dairy cattle score cards 

 give many points to udder, etc., while those of beef cattle 

 give special credit for breadth and thickness of back. 



In the use of figures in scoring, it is not well to grade 

 any part in too fine a degree. Suppose the ear is given one 

 point. When so small a number is used to indicate per- 

 fection, grades of .25 or .50 or .75 may be used to express the 

 score for that part, and .25 of one per cent is small enough 

 to enable one to express reasonably accurate valuation of the 

 ear. In any event, decimals should be used, and the person 

 scoring should have his column of figures properly arranged, 

 with the decimal points in line. When common fractions 



