GROWING AND FITTING CATTLE FOR EXHIBITION 329 



yet instances are on record in which such males have 

 been sure of gooci breeding until the meridian of vigor 

 had been reached, and which, at the same time, had 

 begotten a fairly numerous and valuable progeny. But 

 in a large majority of instances, the breeding powers fail 

 at an early age under prolonged exhibiting. Even when 

 they do not fail entirely, the progeny are frequently 

 lacking in average vigor, the weakened condition of the 

 vital forces through heavy feeding seeming to descend 

 to the progen}^ 



Exhibiting breeding females in the beef classes. — 

 The method of growing heifers in the beef classes is not 

 materially different from the growing of bulls given 

 above. As in the growing of bulls, the feeding must 

 not be so forced as in the growing of young animals in 

 the fat classes not intended for breeding, nor should the 

 proportion of carbohydrates fed be so large, lest the 

 breeding powers be injured, if not, indeed, destroyed. 

 This means that corn should be fed to them with prudent 

 caution. 



When shown in the breeding classes, the aim should 

 be to have heifers in the two-year form pregnant from 

 six to seven months before the date of the show, and 

 the same is true of cows that are exhibited as breeders, 

 whatever may be their age. The evidences are then 

 usually present to the eye of the skilled judge, that the 

 rule of the prize list has been complied with, which calls 

 for a pregnant condition in the females ; but in the case 

 of females excessively fat, it may not be easil}'- possible 

 to detect them. In any event, when breeding females are 

 thus forward in pregnancy, the effect upon the appear- 

 ance is helpful rather than harmful. Wh-en the preg- 

 nancy of females is thus timed, they may be shown 

 under conditions the most favorable as to appearance. 

 If more forward in pregnancy, the paunch is distended 

 so as to disturb the harmony in symmetrical proportions. 

 If shown while nursing a calf, the drain upon the system 



