JUDGING BEEF CATTLE 



177 



should be felt. A common custom among buyers of fat 

 cattle is also to feel the covering of the end of the rump and 

 the point of the shoulder, and to grasp in the hand the hind 

 flank, which should be low and full in a well-finished beast. 

 A thin, hard covering at these points shows that the animal 

 lacks in covering of flesh. 



The indications of quality in beef cattle are fineness of 

 bone; a silky, heavy coat of hair; a mellow, elastic skin; and 



Fig. 101. 



Handling the hide to study thickness and quality, 

 author. 



Photograph by 



refinement, as seen in the head in particular, and in the entire 

 form in general. Large ears, heavy bones and joints, a hard 

 thick skin, and coarse wiry hair are all evidences of a poor 

 digestive capacity and lack of quality. In the case of beef 

 cattle, smoothness and uniformity of covering are also indi- 

 cations of quality. In the carcass, fineness of grain of flesh 

 and a good distribution of fat particles among the fibers are 

 measures of the quality of the meat. If the ribs and back 



