182 BETTER DAIRY FARMING 



303. Training for the ring.— "A point often overlooked is 

 that of breaking the animal to lead and to stand properly. If the 

 efforts of the attendant are taken up in dragging and pushing an 

 entry about, many of the good points which the animal might 

 otherwise show are concealed. An exhibitor should have just one 

 thought in mind while showing in the ring, and that is to give his 

 entry every possible chance to show at an advantage. By this is 

 meant that when his animal stands its feet are properly placed, 

 back straight, and head alert. Any movement either on the part 

 of the attendant or the animal should be as graceful as possible. 

 A good animal poorly shown does not always get its just dues. 

 'Keep one eye on the judge and the other on the animal/ is the 

 advice of experienced showmen. Until the ribbons are placed a 

 good showman takes no chances of his animal slumping or going 

 to sleep. 



"Two or more breeders who feel that each individually does not 

 have a sufficient number of animals that they wish to enter may 

 well go together and put on a combination exhibit. This plan, 

 carried out on a more comprehensive scale, may be made an 

 excellent advertisement for a community or county association." 



304. Fitting for private sale. — All the points covered so far 

 for getting animals ready for the fair or the sales ring apply at 

 home in the barn, if we are selling regularly our surplus stock at 

 private sale. Appearances play a big part in the sale value of any 

 herd. A buyer makes up his mind often when he first steps into 

 the barn. He cannot help it. Therefore, keep the herd arranged 

 properly in the barn to make a good show. Properly stabled they 

 will appear uniform in size. The larger ones should be where they 

 can be seen first. If the udders and tails and coarse hair on any 

 part of the body are kept clipped off, much will be added to the 

 appearance of the herd. Besides, it will be more pleasant to milk 

 and the milk will be cleaner. Keep the switches washed and 

 brushed out. This dressing up of the herd will add dollars to the 

 selling price. We do not sell cows just "to get rid of them." 

 Good salesmanship pays on the farm just as well as anywhere else, 

 and is accomplished by attention to details. 



