BASIS OF PROFITABLE STOCK BREEDING 79 



in the head, form, bones, muscle and smoothness 

 of outline. It is affected by nothing so much as by 

 breeding. It is not often found in the plainer bred 

 steer, but is generally characteristic of a well-bred 

 animal. The possession of general quality is of 

 the utmost importance in selecting feeders. It is 

 difficult to explain; its determination comes largely 

 by experience. It is for this reason that an old 

 cattleman can often discover this form better than 

 one who is thoroughly familiar with live stock, but 

 has not had large experience in selecting the 

 feeders. 



The second quality is called handling quality. 

 This indicates that the animal is a good feeder. 

 This is determined by the feel of the skin. To be 

 a good handler, the hair must be of medium fine- 

 ness and the whole animal have the appearance 

 of good breeding. 



The farmer must be familiar with the leading 

 characteristics of the different types. To illustrate 

 this, a consideration of one type in each of the gen- 

 eral classes of farm animals will be enumerated. 



CONFORMATION AND CHARACTERISTICS 



As the draft horse is probably the most profit- 

 able for the general farmer, a somewhat detailed 

 enumeration of desirable characteristics will be 

 given. The general formation of the draft horse 

 includes a heavy frame, a compact and blocky body, 

 a comparative shortness and strength of limb, all 

 these being in proportion. The weight is a most 

 important consideration in a draft horse. A draft 

 animal in fair condition at maturity ought to weigh 

 anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. The height 

 is not so material, provided the necessary weight is 

 present. Quality and substance, as shown in hard 



