GROWING AND FITTING CATTLE FOR EXHIBITION 327 



to fat cattle grown for the show ring, as above outlined. 

 Two points of difference, however, should be observed. 

 The first is, that the bull should not be fed so large a 

 proportion of carbonaceous food like corn, as is given 

 to the steer, and the second is that he should not be 

 loaded down to the same extent with fat. Unless these 

 points are well guarded, the breeding powers of the bull 

 will fail. This means, therefore, that he will not de- 

 velop quite so quickly as the steer, nor should be be 

 shown in so high a condition. He must not be loaded 

 down to the utmost with firm flesh, but this does not 

 mean that he shall not be in a high condition of flesh. 



The reduction in the iood on returning from the 

 fairs is even more pronounced than in the case of steers, 

 but the extent of the reduction called for is, of course, 

 much influenced by the character of the feeding pre- 

 viously. The feeding of large quantities of corn ensilage 

 when it is possible to feed roots instead should be 

 avoided, but, in the absence of roots, moderate quanti- 

 ties may be fed. These points of difference in feeding 

 apply to all the years during which the bull is shown. 

 After maturity is reached, the amount of concentrates 

 called for to maintain the bull in good flesh is less, rela- 

 tively, than previously, unless he is much used in service. 



The difference in the amount of exercise called for 

 by bulls thus grown as compared with fat steers is even 

 greater than the difference in food requirements. Though 

 the food furnished should be of those kinds most favor- 

 able to the development of the generative functions, 

 without ample exercise these will not develop health- 

 fully. This means that the young bull nlust be given 

 larger liberty from the first, and that he must be more 

 in paddock or pasture, even at the risk of, less rapid 

 growth, than would result from taking less exercise. 

 This difference applies to all the years of the show yard 

 career of the bull, but its importance is greatest, rela- 



