THE BEEF BREEDS OF CATTLE 229 
the skin to a few of the forward lumbar vertebre, and are 
common to all cattle. The indentations are caused by the 
uplifting of the skin surrounding the tie by a great 
deposit of flesh along the spinal column. When of a 
pronounced character, these ties are not looked on with 
much favor by the breeders of fancy Herefords, as they 
detract somewhat from the smooth, rounded appearance 
of the body, although they are a very reliable indication 
of the great depth of flesh that covers the frame of the 
animal. Breeders sometimes loosen these ties in animals 
they are fitting for 
exhibition by a slight 
surgical operation, 
that is not very diff- 
cult of execution, 
whereby the depres- 
sion in the skin dis- 
appears and leaves the 
back perfectly smooth 
and even. 
The coat of hair of the Hereford is regarded by the 
breeders as a feature of much importance. The preference 
is that it should be long, soft and curly, as indicative of a 
certain degree of quality in the animal. Such coats are 
regarded as furnishing some protection against cold in 
winter and, in some animals, a protection against flies 
in summer. At the great fairs and other shows, much 
care is taken by the Hereford exhibitors to have the coats 
of their animals properly cleaned and manipulated, so 
as to present a curly appearance and set off the form of 
the animal to the best advantage. 
The most valuable characteristic of the Hereford is his 
disposition to accumulate flesh at all ages. The Hereford 
tai Pi 
x es K te 
Fic. 37. — Hereford cow. 
