PRACTICAL HERD MANAGEMENT 1021 



Especially is this true of any attempt at giving ex- 

 plicit directions governing the feeding of the ani- 

 mals intended for show or sale. And yet there is 

 constant call for suggestions upon this subject from 

 those who are without experience. 



An Old-time Herdsman Speaks. The name of Jim 

 Powell is often mentioned in preceding chapters of 

 this volume. None among the older generation of 

 feeders is better qualified to talk upon this subject 

 than he. We are glad to give space to a short dis- 

 course from him, prepared at our request : 



* ' In starting to select a herd for showing I should 

 get yearlings. In selecting these get smooth heif- 

 ers with plenty of size, something that will make 

 big cows. I would notice especially that they had 

 good heads, with not too large horns, and that they 

 were good in their heart-girths, and had good level 

 backs with straight hind-quarters, and that they 

 came down well in the round and that the tail was 

 not set on too high. I would try to get them as 

 near the same size and type as possible. 



"Upon the selection of the bull a great deal de- 

 pends, for he is more than half the herd. You want 

 a bull to have a good bull's head, not feminine, wide 

 between the horns, and with a short thick neck. He 

 should be wide between the legs, with a good com- 

 pact brisket. Be sure that he has good big bone ; 

 something that can carry weight. Another very im- 

 portant point to notice is that he is good in the 

 heart-girth, and has a good level back and straight 

 quarters. He should have a good thick mellow hide 

 with good coat of hair, which denotes the good 

 feeder. 



"In feeding a herd I have found that corn and oats 



