28 LIVE-STOCK JUDGING 



32. Comparison. — Third, comparison. It is one thing 

 to buy a carload of animals that must all conform to 

 specified requirements, but quite another matter to pick 

 out the first, second, third and fourth best from a car lot 

 offering. It may be simple enough to make analyses and 

 give descriptions of any number of individuals, noting 

 carefully all commendable features as well as defects, yet 

 most difficult to balance a superior head and neck, but 

 low back of one, against the good back and deficient hind- 

 quarters of another. The first described is observation; 

 the second, comparison. The judge must do this before 

 he can ascertain, in the aggregate, the relative merits of 

 the different individuals under his consideration and before 

 he can arrive at a final conclusion as to their placing in 

 competition. 



33. Conclusion. — Fourth, conclusion. The last step 

 consists in weighing the evidence collected by the two 

 preceding steps and returning a verdict thereon. 



When a decision is once made it is most gratifying to 

 an exhibitor or seller, as well as most assuring to the judge, 

 if he is able to give full reasons for having made the 

 awards as he has done. 



34. System in judging. — The most comprehensive 

 judging is secured by a systematic procedure. It is true 

 many good judges do their work intuitively, but even 

 intuition may be systematized to advantage. Judging 

 must be done with a reasonable degree of dispatch, al- 

 though time often serves to clear up certain points which 

 at first seem obscure. The judge is, therefore, justified in 

 using some deliberation, although his observations should 

 be so conducted as to enable him to form a most definite 

 and accurate impression in the least time. 



35. First impressions are lasting and, if made under 



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