76 JUDGING CATTLE 



given to the cow that is lacking in condition rather than 

 the poorer individual that is highly pampered. In this 

 connection it should be stated that cows are probably 

 more apt to be rough and patchy, yet this is a feature 

 that should always be condemned. Over the ribs there 

 are apt to be creases, or around the tail the fat may be 

 accumulated in bunches or the back may show patches, 

 "ties" or unevenness of flesh. Though not often trans- 

 mitted, yet this tendency to patchiness should be dis- 

 countenanced, as it is an undesirable condition in all fat 

 stock. 



127. Judging Young Beef Stock. In judging young 

 beef stock the peculiar feature to which much importance 

 should be attached is that of early maturity. Early ma- 

 turity is a profitable characteristic to encourage in beef 

 animals and for that reason should be given all possible 

 prominence in the show ring. The young animals that 

 show an early tendency to put on an even and somewhat 

 firm and deep covering of flesh and at the same time show 

 size, constitution and quality are the ones that should 

 have the preference of the judge. 



III. JUDGING DAIRY CATTLE. 



To estimate the merits of dairy cows when giving milk 

 there is no method so satisfactory as the actual records 

 made with the Babcock test and the scales. Having the 

 weight of milk yielded, the percentage of fat in it, dura- 

 tion of the milking season and period of pregnancy to- 

 gether with the amount of feed consumed, the merit of 

 a cow for dairy purposes may be rated accurately. But 

 even all these details will not completely express the 

 meritorious qualities that it is possible for a dairy cow 

 to possess ; for the breeder has in mind some other quali- 

 ties that he desires, chief among which may be mentioned 

 the ability of the cow to produce calves of the merit of 

 herself and to continue doing this for a number of years. 

 To attempt to encompass all the merits that any domes- 

 ticated animal may possess and express this in a scale of 



