THE BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY 



361 



have increased rapidly, extensive impor- 

 tations of Scotch blood have been made, 

 and the breed is steadily gaining in 

 popularity. The Angus is, perhaps, best 

 adapted to localities where moderate 

 temperatures prevail, and where com- 

 fortable quarters may be furnished for 

 winter. With regard to the value of the 

 Angus, on the western ranges, consid- 

 erable difference of opinion prevails 

 and the statement has frequently been 

 made that these cattle are too lazy to 

 make a success under range conditions. 

 It is impossible to give an authoritative 

 opinion on this subject, since so much 

 prejudice prevails in the matter; in fact, 



much attention to the early maturing 

 qualities of the Angus, with the result 

 that this breed now matures as early as 

 any other. In ability to make economic 

 use of food, the Angus is second to no 

 other breed. The form is almost always 

 symmetrical, and not patchy. In fact, 

 the hair is so short that any irregularity 

 of form would be apparent. During re- 

 cent years, the Angus has carried away 

 its share of prizes at fat stock shows, 

 and in block contests. The quality of 

 the meat is usually recognized as su- 

 perior to that of the Shorthorns and 

 Ilerefords, and nearly or quite equal to 



Fig. 243 — BLACK ROCK, GRAND CHAMPION ANGUS STEER AT THE 1905 INTERNATIONAL 



the champions of almost every breed 

 claim that their particular breed is su- 

 perior to all others, as a rustler on the 

 range. It is sufficient to say that many 

 cattle raisers, throughout the range, 

 from the northern to the southern boun- 

 dary of the United States, have reported 

 excellent results from the use of pure 

 bred and grade Angus on the range, and 

 have found that Angus bulls are as ca- 

 pable of getting vigorous calves under 

 range conditions as any other breed of 

 bulls. 



Strong and weak points — In size, 

 the Angus is perhaps slightly inferior 

 to the Shorthorn and Hereford, but on 

 account of its short legs it weighs more 

 than its apparent size would indicate. 

 The breeders in this country have given 



that of West Highland and Galloway 

 cattle. 



In Scotland, the Angus was considered 

 a good milch cow, but in the United 

 States, little attention has been given to 

 the milk yield of this breed, so that at 

 present the quantity of the milk is 

 rather small. The fat content is per- 

 haps above the average. The Angus 

 are good breeders and their value in 

 crossing and grading up native stock 

 has long been recognized. In fact, a 

 good Polled Angus bull will produce 

 from 75 to 90 per cent of black, polled 

 calves from horned cows of any color. 

 This indicates clearly enough the high 

 pre-potency of the Angus in fixing its 

 characteristics upon the offspring. On 

 this account, Angus bulls are often used. 



