132 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



blocky type, with limbs not more than medium in size. 

 The indications of blood inheritance may be judged by 

 such indications as the general form, the peculiarities 

 of horn development, the color and the strength of the 

 hair. But the proportions in which these blood elements 

 are present cannot be accurately gauged from the indica- 

 tions. 



Animals with a large percentage of dairy inherit- 

 ance should be rejected for such feeding unless they can 

 be purchased cheaply, not because they are unable to 

 make good increase, but because, when finished, rightly 

 or wrongly, the carcasses from such inheritance are much 

 discounted in the markets. When such animals are pur- 

 chased for finishing, they should be ready for the market 

 before they get bej^ond the stage of baby beef. (See 

 page 72. ) The buyer should aim to purchase so that 

 the price paid will be lower than the probable selling 

 price by at least one cent a pound live weight, when 

 concentrates sell for less on an average than one cent a 

 pound. When these are dear, one cent a pound of ad- 

 vance would not be enough. Of course, the selling price 

 can only be forecast at the time of the purchase of the 

 animals. This element of uncertainty, however, should 

 add to the carefulness of the buyer. 



Winter finishing is usually begun as soon as the 

 weather becomes so cold that the cattle cannot remain 

 in the pastures overnight without discomfort. This 

 will mean that in Canada and the northern states it will 

 usually begin in late October or early November, but, 

 of course, it may begin at any time desired with a view 

 to meet the needs of the market or to have the animals 

 finished by the time the food supplies are exhausted. 



Finishing in the stall, shed, or grove. — Three 

 methods of finishing are possible in winter, viz., in the 

 stall when the animals are tied; in the shed, sometimes 

 closed and sometimes open ; and without shelter, save 

 what is furnished by a grove or ravine or both. Which 



