326 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



be covered by the reduction, the duration of the period 

 of the forced feeding that should follow, the timing of 

 this so that the animals may be shown when in best 

 bloom, and the apportioning of the rations so that this 

 result will follow, call for the exercise of much skill and 

 judgment on the part of the feeder in charge. In the 

 case of breeding animals, the preservation of the breed- 

 ing powers must be maintained, as it is against the rules 

 of live stock exhibitions, and, therefore, morally wrong, 

 to show animals of sufficient age in the breeding classes 

 after they have become unable to propagate their kind. 

 This is a more difficult problem than any that confronts 

 the grower of show cattle with no other mission than the 

 production of flesh. The difference in the ability of 

 feeders to thus sustain breeding power is marked ; never- 

 theless it is seldom that it is accidental. 



On the return of calves from the fair circuit, the 

 grain should be at once gradually reduced in quantity 

 and in strength. The extent of the reduction necessary 

 is influenced to some extent by the condition of the 

 animals. The proportion of the more carbonaceous con- 

 centrates in the food, as corn, should be reduced. The 

 reduction in quantity will be from 2 to 5 pounds daily. 

 There should be increase in the roots and other food fed. 

 (See page 316.) This reduction should continue until 

 the latter part of April or the first part of J\Iav following. 



On the return of yearlings from the fair circuit, a 

 similar reduction should follow in the strength of the 

 concentrates, as in the case of calves. The extent of the 

 reduction should be greater, amounting, in some in- 

 stances, to fully 50 per cent. The green food fed should 

 be correspondingly increased. (See page 313.) The 

 period covered by the reduction with these also con- 

 tinues until late in April or early in May. 



Exhibiting bulls in the beef classes. — The food given 

 to bulls when growing them with a view to exhibit them, 

 as well as for service, is not far different from that given 



