118 BEEF PRODUCTION 



During the latter part of the feeding period, progress 

 depends on nothing more than on content. The animal 

 that eats its fill of any suitable ration that suits the pal- 

 ate and then lies down in peace and quiet to ruminate 

 will make good gains. Rumination is best performed 

 when, for the time being, all the animal's energy is 

 given to this one thing, and hence is best performed 

 while lying down. 



When stabled, the animals should be well bedded 

 with fresh, bright straw. The animals should be led from 

 the stall twice daily and all droppings and wet straw 

 removed and fresh straw put in. Attention should 

 also be paid to ventilation. An abundance of fresh 

 air should be provided, but the barn kept free from 

 draughts. When the barn is well provided with win- 

 dows it is a good plan to remove them and cover the 

 openings with burlap. For fattening purposes, a dark- 

 ened stable is preferred to one with too much light. 



As the show approaches they should be trained 

 to stand squarely on their feet, with heads up, so as 

 to appear to the best advantage. 



A good coat of hair should, if possible, be secured. 

 It has been said that this depends not so much upon 

 what is put on the hair as what is put inside the animal, 

 aided somewhat by what is kept off the hair. Groom- 

 ing should be commenced some weeks before the show, 

 and for this purpose nothing should be used but a good 

 bristle brush, aided by a flannel cloth or chamois skin. 

 The steel curry combs and steel brushes are not in favor. 

 A good use for the curry comb is to comb out the 

 bristle brush. Some feeders prefer to keep the animals 

 blanketed for six months before the show, never letting 

 the coats see the light of day. This, however, is not 

 thought necessary or even advisable by most feeders. If 

 the animals are kept in a darkened stable, blankets are 

 unnecessary except during the last few days. The coat 

 can be greatly improved by a weekly washing with soft 

 water and a good toilet soap, but never use hard water, 



