76 • JUDGING CATTLE 



pampered. In this connection it should be stated that cows 

 are probably more apt to be rough and patchy, yet this is a 

 feature that should always be condemned. Over the ribs 

 there are apt to be creases, or around the tail the fat may be 

 accumulated in bunches or the back may show patches, 

 "ties" or unevenness of flesh. Though not often trans- 

 mitted, yet this tendency to patchiness should be discount- 

 enanced, as it is an undesirable condition in all fat stock. 



127. Judging Young Beef Stock. In judging young beef 

 stock the peculiar feature to which much importance should 

 be attached is that of early maturity. Early maturity is a 

 profitable characteristic to encourage in beef animals and for 

 that reason should be given ^11 possible prominence in the 

 show ring. The young animals that show an early tendency 

 to put on an even and somewhat firm and deep covering of 

 flesh and at the same time show size, constitution and qual- 

 ity are the ones that should have the preference of the judge. 



III. JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE. 



To estimate the merits of dairy cows when giving milk 

 there is no method so satisfactory as the actual records made 

 with the Babcock test and the scales. Having the weight 

 of milk yielded, the percentage of fat in it, duration of the 

 milking season and period of pregnancy together with the 

 amount of feed consumed, the merit of a cow for dairy pur- 

 poses may be rated accurately. But even all these details 

 will not completely express the meritorious qualities that it 

 is possible for a dairy cow to possess; for the breeder has in 

 mind some other qualities that he desires, chief among 

 which may be mentioned the ability of the cow to produce 

 calves of the merit of herself and to continue doing this for a 

 number of years. To attempt to encompass all the merits 

 that any domesticated animals may possess and express this 

 in a scale of points is at best but a stimulus to the study of 



