BEEF TYPE OF CATTLE 



173 



The hocks should stand squarely under the animal, so that a 

 plumb line dropped from the pin bones will bisect them and the 

 shank bone of the leg below. Crooked hocks are bad, showing 

 weak conformation and ugly form. When the hocks tend to 

 come together at the points — a very common thing — the toes 

 point out. Only very rarely do the toes point in. The necessity 

 for a graceful and straight position of the hind leg, smooth- 

 ness of joint, shortness of leg, and fineness of bone is apparent. 



Fig. 64. The grade Shorthorn steer Flashlight, shown at the 1904 Inter- 

 national Live Stock Exposition by Purdue University. Winner of 

 first honors in grade and cross-bred classes. This picture shows a fine 

 example of beef form as viewed from one side. Photograph from 

 Professor J. H. Skinner 



The tidder of the beef cow is too frequently ignored. It should 

 be of good size and shape, extending well up behind and in front 

 along under the body, with four well-placed teats. Every beef 

 cow should be able to furnish ample milk for her calf for the 

 first eight months of lactation. It is not creditable to a beef cow 

 to have an ill-shaped udder or to produce but little milk. 



The quality of the beef animal is shown in bone, skin, hair, ears, 

 and horn. A coarse bone, with large rough joints, long legs, and 

 heavy horns, indicates lack of quality. If the ears are large and 



