108 Qattle Problems. 



cow producing it. Suppose the first cross grade to be a 

 heifer, and that a full- blood Sliort-horn bull be used on 

 her, and we again have Short-horn bull, 70 -|- grade heifer, 

 85=155-^2=77}^, a further reduction of 7}^ per cent in 

 muscle in the second cross grade, making 22^ percent 

 reduction of muscle in second cross grade, or ^ blood, 

 and much less muscle than exists in common cows. The 

 third cross of Short-horn bull on grades, or y^ blood further 

 reduces the proportion of muscle in the grade until the 

 reduction reaches 26 per cent less than the proportion of 

 muscle in common cows. 



Of course the muscles would be still further reduced, and 

 smaller and weaker in fourth cross grades. But the ten- 

 dencies of crossing in such direction are sufficiently appar- 

 ent. 



There is nothing in accumulated fat that contributes to 

 prepotency, or power to fix character ; if vital as a heat 

 former, it is not as solid structure, nor to supply actual 

 potency, or breeding power. On the contrary, the poten- 

 cy and prepotency, both, are according to extent of muscle, 

 vascularity, and the functional vigor they supply. Now 

 considering the great reduction in ability to take exercise, 

 in the size and the breathing power of the lungs, in the 

 vitalization and quality of the blood, and the power and 

 activity of nearly or quite all the vital organs and func- 

 tions, reductions that necessarily and certainly must result 

 from such large reductions of muscle, as are shown to take 

 place in the several grades, from the first, second, and 

 third crosses aforesaid, it wouldr be strange indeed if such 

 deteriorating results could possibly give satisfaction. And 

 it would be equally strange if the inferior quality of the 

 meat product of such breeding, the reduced proportion of 

 the fleshy basis and nutritive solids, juices, and flavoring 

 cor.stiluents, wtVQ satisfactory to the butcher or to the 

 consumer. 



