20 



Farmers' Bulletin 1135. 



The calf should be kept in a cool barn during the day and allowed to 

 gfraze at night for a few months previous to the show. The hot sun 

 from June to September will "sunburn" the hair and cause it to 

 appear somewhat dead, rough, and coarse, and to lose its glossy ap- 

 pearance. Burlap bags suspended by wires from above for the calf 

 to brush against may be used to advantage to repel the flies which 

 greatly annoy a calf. The stable also may be darkened and many 

 flies kept out by tacking burlap sacks over the windows and doors. 

 If in the pasture, the calf should have plenty of shade. 



A few weeks before the show the calf may be blanketed to advan- 

 tage. The blanket, which is usually made of burlap, is used mainly 

 to keep flies from w^orrying the calf, to give the hair a more glossy 

 appearance, and to help mellow or soften the hide. The burlap 

 used for this purpose should extend from the neck to the tail and 

 come down over the sides. 



AVhen the calf is taken from its stall before the judge at the show, 

 it should be clean and carefully groomed. The use of sufficient bed- 

 ding Avill help to keep it clean. Do not wait until time to bring your 

 calf into the show or sale ring before cleaning it up, but begin sev- 

 eral hours before the time announced for the class to appear. The 

 calf should be washed every few days, and occasionally with warm 

 water and tar soap. Make a good suds in the water and then add 

 more soap to the hair. Rub and work the hair with the hand or 

 brush until all dirt is worked loose. Wash the suds and dirt out with 

 cold water. Frequent washing keeps the animal clean, stimulates a 

 heaA^y growth of hair, and makes it loose and fluffy. 



The calf should be groomed or thoroughly brushed each day for 

 several Aveeks before the show. Brushing lengthwise of the body 

 vrith considerable pressure will help w^ork the hide loose and pliable 

 and gradually remove the old hair. The final brushing on a short- 

 haired calf should be in the same direction as the hair, the hand 

 each time following the brush. The hand will draw the oil to the tip 

 of the hair. A woolen cloth may be used to advantage in removing 

 the dust and the dirt. The final brushing for the long-haired breeds 

 (Shorthorn, Hereford, Galloway) should be opposite to the direction 

 ot the hair to make it loose and fluffy. Short-haired animals (Aber- 

 deen-Angus, also Ked Polled, and Devon) are shown with the hair 

 smooth. Animals with long hair are shown w^th the hair curled. 



An hour or tAvo before the calf is to be shown moisten the hair 

 Avith a mixture of creosote dip and soapy Avater. Do not make the 

 hair too wet or it Avill appear in locks instead of loose and fluffy. 

 The hair on the center of the back should be parted Avith a coarse 

 comb along the backbone in one straight line from the neck in front 

 of the shoulder to the tail. Comb the hair on each side at right 

 angles or straight out from the center parting to the extreme edge of 

 the flat portion of the back. Mark the hair Avith the comb or brush 



