195 
CATTLE, HOW TO BUY AND BELL. 
bla.de by the length from the fore part of the shoulder-blade to the root 
of the tail. Thus au ox girthing 7 feet 9 inches and measuring 6 feet in 
length would contain 7 3-4 times 6, or 46 1-2 superficial feet. For cattle 
grass fat the following is given as the weight per superficial foot : 
Girth le3S than 3 feet. 
“ 3 to 5 feot 
“ 5 to 7 feet 
« 7 to 9 feel 
.11 pounds. 
,16 
.23 “ 
.31 
Thus the steer as per above measurements should weigh 46.50 by 31, 
or 1 441 lbs gross. Under this rule it is usual to deduct one pound in 
twenty on half-fatted cattle, from 15 to 20 lbs. on a cow having had 
calves, and if not fat an equal amount. The rule as above stated is of 
little or no value, except to those having no other means. In taking 
account of stock, this may come somewhat near the weight, ior buy- 
ing or selling the scale is the only true standard. 
Buying to Feed. 
i 
In buying cattle either to graze or to feed fat, choose cattle that aro 
youmr, that is, that will not have become mature before ready for sale. 
If to be kept a year, three year old past to four year old for natives 
and Devon*, and one year less for Short-Horns or Hereford grades. 
Buy no overgrown, leggy animals ; they arc hard feeders. Neither 
should they be undersized, as this indicates want of thrift. The cattle 
for money, whatever their breed, are compact, smooth, line boned, 
meek-eyed, soft haired steers, with skin of medium thickness ; thick 
through the heart, round barreled, well ribbed, with broad rump, and 
the twist well down to the hock. Such cattle, whatever their breed, will 
fatten kindly and the meat will be of excellent quality. So far as age is 
concerned, the teeth must bo the test. In this no person can err who 
has carefully studied the chart of the teeth in another part of this work. 
How to Buy Breeders. 
If the intontion is to raise beef cattle the same rule will apply as in 
buying steers. In no case should the cow be more than three years old, 
anil it is better that she never had a calf. In breeding for beef, milk is 
not the first essential. It is necessary, however, that the dam give a fair 
amount of milk, since the proper sustenance of the calf is what lays the 
foundation of the future value of the steer. No calf starved when 
young can make a valuable cow to breed from, and as is the dam so 
naturally will be the produce. Whatever is to be the outcome, avoid at 
