BREEDS OF BEEF CATTLE IX UMTED STATES 223 



Bates approaches the dual-purpose type. Bulls attain a weight 

 of 1,800 to 2,200 pounds or more, while the mature cows iTSually 

 weigh from 1,300 to 1,600 pounds when raised under favorable 

 conditions. Greater weight in both cows and bulls is not rare, 

 but extremely heavy animals are not especially desired. 



Mr. W. F. Ward, Senior Animal Husbandman in Beef Cattle 

 Investigations, U.S.A., in a pamphlet issued to farmers, says: — 



''In conformation, the Shorthorn is of the true beef type, 

 being wide, deep, lengthy, and thickly fleshed. The great width 

 of the Shorthorns, combined with their depth, gives them a more 

 rectangular form than any of the other breeds, w^hile the wide 

 variation in the distribution of the breed has caused a slightly 

 greater difference in type to be recognised than in other beef 

 breeds. In the cow the following points should be noted : — The 

 horn is usually small and curved forward, with the tips pointing- 

 inward, upward, or sometimes dow^nward, and they should be of 

 a waxy, yellowish color. The head should be shapely, with great 

 width between the eyes, short from the eyes to the muzzle, which 

 should be large and flesh-coloured, with large nostrils; a black 

 muzzle is objectionable to most breeders. The neck should be 

 short and full, blending well into head and shoulder. The 

 shoulders should be smooth and well covered with flesh, the crops 

 should be full, the heart girth should be large, and the fore flank 

 low. The chest should be wide and deep, with the brisket thick 

 and well to the front. The ribs are usually Avell sprung and the 

 barrel well developed. In good individuals the back is broad and 

 the loin is wide, deep, and thickly fleshed. The hips are wide 

 and should be well covered with flesh ; the rump is long, wide, 

 and level, carrying an abundance of flesh. The hindquarter is 

 better developed in the Shorthorn than in any other breed ; it is 

 characteristic in that it is almost straight from the root of the 

 tail to the hocks, and is mde and thick, carrying the flesh well 

 down, thus giving a maximum amount of flesh. The flank is 

 low, the udder is usually well developed, extending well forward, 

 with prominent milk veins. The teats are of medium size. 



"The bull should possess the same desirable fefftures as the 

 female, without her feminine qualities. He should show mas- 

 culinity by developing a heavier horn, a larger and thicker neck, 

 a heavier bone throughout, and greater depth, thickness, and 

 scale. His horns are straighter and heavier than the cow's, but 

 thev should not show coarseness. 



