202 CATTLE 



the head. It is most desirable that the ear should be neatly 

 attached to the head and that it should be of superior quality, 

 neatly pointed, and covered with silky hair, with long hair at 

 edges and tips. 



The neck of the beef animal tends to be short, thick, and mus- 

 cular, of medium depth, and should be neatly attached to the head 

 and smoothly blended with the shoulders. The bull at maturity 

 shows a neck of more length, with heavier muscles, some arch, 

 and a heavy coat of hair. The female will have a shorter, lighter 

 neck, with less thickness and less depth. The steer should have 

 a shorter, thicker, fuller, smoother-fleshed neck than the cow. 

 When in perfect pose, with head up, the top line of the neck 

 should be but slightly raised above the height of the withers. 



The shoulders should extend well into the back, lying smoothly 

 covered with flesh and blending neatly with the body. A high type 

 of shoulder is uniformly covered with flesh from shoulder point 

 to top of withers. Rough, angular shoulders unevenly covered 

 are among the most common defects of cattle. A prominent 

 shoulder also emphasizes the development behind it. 



The breast and chest are most important. The former should 

 be carried well forward and be broad and full in the bosom. As 

 one stands and views a beef bull in show form a great breadth 

 of breast and strength of brisket meets the eye. Sometimes the 

 breast and chest have great depth, and the brisket comes within 

 fifteen inches of the level of the foot. Viewed from one side it 

 may curve forward like the prow of a ship. With the cow con- 

 siderable bosom may show, but not in so great a degree and with 

 less breadth and more feminine outline. The chest, which lies 

 between the shoulders and just back of them, should be full at 

 the crops, showing much spring of rib, and also well filled out 

 in the front flanks. The most beautiful front on the beef animal 

 no matter whether bull, cow, or steer is a smoothly laid, well- 

 fleshed shoulder, with a strong arch of rib behind, leaving little 

 or no depression. Much depression behind the shoulders or a 

 narrow, contracted lower chest indicates lack of constitution. 



The front legs should have a wide muscular attachment of arm 

 at the shoulder, with plenty of room from armpit to armpit below 

 the chest. Short, well-placed legs, coming straight down, viewed 



