308 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



SELECTION OF BREEDING STOCK 



The best cattle should be retained and propagated and the 

 poorer animals discarded. In a very few generations, by em- 

 ploying such a method, the common cattle of the country 

 could be greatly improved. It is the application of haphazard 

 methods that has resulted in the lack of character that exists 

 among our common native cattle. 



The breed. — Choose the breed that best suits the conditions, 

 the markets, and the fancy of the breeders. There is no best 

 breed of beef cattle for all conditions. There is much variation 



in the temperament, size, and 

 quality of product among the 

 leading beef breeds. Whether 

 Shorthorns, Herefords, Angus, or 

 Galloways should be chosen de- 

 pends on the attendant condi- 

 tions and the personal preference 

 among the breeders and feeders. 

 The Shorthorns have excellent 



Fig. 95. — Champion Hereford hind-quarters and nick well with 



^ro„af.r.:ri°l7a™r ^^e common cattle as well as 



other beef breeds. The Here- 

 fords mature early and are excellent grazers. The Angus ma- 

 ture fairly early, produce a high quality of beef, and are much 

 sought on the markets. They are hornless though rather 

 nervous. The Galloways produce high quahty beef, are 

 hornless, and often possess good coats of hair; the hides are 

 much sought for tanning, and are used in manufacturing 

 coats, robes, and the like. The breed itself is never so 

 important as is the individuality and the uniformity. 



Crossing. — For the propagation of animals intended solely for 

 beef many experienced cattle breeders and feeders prefer a Short- 

 horn-Hereford cross, contending that the cross-bred steer^ in- 



