1026 A HISTORY OP HEREFORD CATTLE 



a halt when they graduate from the calf class. "With 

 a few exceptions I usually followed the latter course. 

 It is when he gets to the two-year-old and older 

 cattle that a fitter's discretion is put to the test, and 

 right here many a one has met his Waterloo. The 

 time has come now when corn must be handed out 

 sparingly. More oats, a little barley if obtainable, 

 succulent feeds such as roots, and anything that will 

 aid them to hold their own without a tendency to 

 obesity or patchiness should be used. Ground or 

 cracked wheat is very helpful at this stage, but 

 should be fed sparingly to start with. A double 

 handful of bright clover hay, cut fine with a chaflE 

 cutter and mixed with each feed of grain, lightens the 

 ration and makes it more easily assimilated in hot 

 weather. I prefer to dampen the feed just enough to 

 make it gritty, not sloppy. 



"Exercise is a very important- matter. A small 

 pasture lot handy to the barn so that the females 

 can run out nights through the hot weather, and suit- 

 able yards for the bulls are indispensable. All 

 should be well halter-broken and taught to stand 

 properly and show to best advantage. The feet 

 should have close attention and be trimmed when 

 necessary. The coat and skin must be kept clean 

 by brushing and dampening occasionally; too fre- 

 quent washing dries the hair and causes it to become 

 thin. I never advocate rasping and paring the horns 

 and polishing as we so often see them; it savors 

 too much of the artificial. I think they look more 

 natural with the rough shell and scratches taken out, 

 and just wiped over with an oiled rag. 



"There are many small details in connection with 

 the business, and it is a difficult matter to touch on 

 all, but I have tried to cover the ground in a general 

 way. When a boy at home I have often heard my 

 father say, 'One-half goes in at the mouth.' And 



