CATTLE, SHOHT-IIOBN3. 
L5 
Broad in the Crops. 
The animal broad in the crops has a better back ; but it is also 
evidence of a better rib beneath the shoulder-blade, giving greater width to 
the chest within, and consequently greater play to the lungs. This position 
of the shoulder-blade enables the legs to bo brought more gracefully 
under the chest beneath. There are some beasts whose fore-legs stand 
bo wide apart that they very much resemble two sticks stuck into a largo 
pumpkin. Such animals are considered awkward and inconvenient at least. 
The Back Should be Straight and Broad. ' 
A broad back affords valuable roasting bits, and will be the delight of tho 
butcher. The straight back affords a better spinal column, and gives the 
proper space to the cavities beneath, which, as we have just seen, aro 
occupied by the most important organs. A straight line also gives to the 
ribs a more graceful as well as more convenient attachment. 
Ribs Should be Barrel-Shaped. 
The ribs rising well from the spine, giving to the body a round cr 
barreled shape, gives much more room to the organs within — the heart 
and lungs — than there would be if the ribs descended in such a manner 
as to give a flat side. A beast with flat sides, and consequently a narrow 
throat, will lack greatly in vigor and health, and all the essential qualities 
that constitute a good bullock. A bad rib gives poor space to tho 
abdominal organs which lie immediately behind those of the chest, unless 
the belly is greatly sagged, which is generally the case. 
The Loin Should be Wide. 
This is an interesting point to those who love choice bits and axe willing 
to pay well for them. The butcher makes large estimates here, and is 
sure to suit liberal purchasers. But nature is ever true to herself, for 
here, as elsewhere, beneath a broad loin she lias provided large space for 
important organs, as the bowels, kidneys, and the organs of the pelvis. 
‘Xho rump of a good Short-Horn is a very nice point. The hack should 
extend out straight to the setting on of the tail. The thigh should pass 
op to this point nearly straight, so as to make the junction a right angle. 
This point, in many beasts, will be found to be a circle, which is unsightly 
Old causes a loss of prime beef. 
The Legs. 
The legs should be short. There are precisely the same 1 caserns fer 
