44 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



feel, and is no longer hard and unyielding. This firm, springy, and 

 mellow condition indicates that the steer is properly fattened from a 

 market standpoint. When feeding for show purposes, the fattening 

 proceeds further, and, if continued to excess, the fleshing becomes soft 

 and blubbery. To the fingers, such an animal seems incased in blubber, 

 and when the animal is slaughtered this is indeed found to be true. 



The best way to determine the state of fatness of an animal is to 

 use the hands in the manner mentioned above. This can be done 

 rapidly, yet thoroughly, by a vigorous handling along the top and 



Fig. 9. — Proportions of lean and fat in beef cattle. Half cross-sections of 

 body between sixth and seventh ribs, showing thickening of flesh due to deposition 

 of fat. A represents an animal in very thin condition. The white shown in A is 

 chiefly connective tissue. B represents an animal in all respects similar to A, except 

 that it was full fed for four months and was in moderately fattened condition. C 

 represents a similar animal full fed for twelve months and made excessively fat. 

 A was 3 years old when slaughtered; B, S14 years; C, 4 years. Deposition of fat 

 within the muscles, known as "marbling," is noticeable in B and C. Note that 

 increase in flesh in mature cattle due to feeding is almost entirely an increase in fat, 

 the quantity of muscle remaining nearly constant. 



down over the ribs and shoulders. Other means of determining the 

 condition consist of examinations of the cod, hind flank, and tongue- 

 root. At these points the fat tends to accumulate extensively, and 



