GROWING AND FITTING CATTLE FOR EXHIBITION 337 



feeding. The noon feed consists of some kind of fodder, 

 but under quite high pressure feeding, a part of the 

 grain is also given at noon. 



9. During the months of July and August, espe- 

 cially when cattle are being fitted for the late autumn 

 fairs, good results accrue from feeding boiled or steamed 

 grain. If they are to be shown as early as September, 

 the boiled grain should be fed at an earlier period. If 

 continued too near to the season of showing, the flesh 

 may lack somewhat the firmness that is requisite in 

 winners. Oats and peas fed in equal quantities are most 

 in favor for such feeding, but when peas cannot be had, 

 barley may be used instead. A small quantity of bran 

 is added to a little cut hay. The boiled mixture is then 

 poured over the mass while yet warm, and is fed four or 

 five times a week, preferably in the evening, as a matter 

 of convenience. It is fed in quantity sufficient to pre- 

 clude the necessity for feeding additional grain in order 

 to complete the meal. The following benefits may be 

 looked for from such feeding: (i) The cattle are fond 

 of the food and it furnishes them with a change that 

 leads to increased consumption. (2) It exerts a favor- 

 able influence on digestion. (3) It seems also to in- 

 fluence favorably that sappy condition of the system 

 which results in large increase while the final finish is 

 being made. 



10. The litter supply should, of course, be suf- 

 ficiently abundant to give the animals a good, soft, 

 clean, and dry bed. The removal of the droppings and 

 saturated portions of the bedding should be given early, 

 prompt, and unremitting attention. The careful feeder 

 remo\-es the droppings several times a day, and, as a 

 result, the saving in the grooming far more than com- 

 pensates for the extra labor involved. 



11. Such animals should be groomed once daily. 

 The factors used in grooming are a currycomb, a card, 

 a brush not too harsh, and a cloth used in removing dust 



