1008 A HISTORY OF HEEEPORD CATTLE 



that they be provided with expensive bams for win- 

 ter shelter; in fact, we do not even find it necessary 

 to provide sheds of any kind for them. We have 

 never, even dufing the most severe winters known 

 in this section of the country, found it necessary 

 to give our older cattle protection, and we have never 

 had losses from exposure. By this method our breed- 

 ing herd is carried through the year at a minimum 

 cost and maintains a very thrifty and healthy con- 

 dition. 



"Calves, except those intended for show purposes, 

 are allowed to run with their dams on the pasture 

 during the summer. When old enough to wean they 

 are placed in a pasture or yard by themselves and 

 are given a light grain ration during the winter, 

 and except in the most severe weather are never 

 housed at all. During the second summer bluegrass 

 is their chief diet and they seldom if ever taste grain 

 again. Our heifers are bred at from eighteen to 

 twenty-four months of age and it is seldom that we 

 find it necessary to give a heifer any assistance in 

 the way of feed while nursing her first calf, except 

 what she gathers herself. Young bulls generally 

 require a light feed of grain once a day during their 

 second summer to insure the best development and 

 growth. 



"Our herd and stock bulls, all of which have at 

 some time been grand champions in the leading 

 shows, are not kept in extremely high condition after 

 we are through exhibiting them. They have the run 

 of small grass paddocks. This gives them an oppor- 

 tunity for plenty of exercise and an abundance of 

 fresh air and a sun shed, our aim being to keep 

 them in strong vigorous condition. Beau Donald 

 5tb, now sixteen years old, has been handled in this 

 manner and is still active and doing good service. 



"Our experience with close in-breeding has been 



