Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-01-22
Showing and Judging Cattle.

The following pertinent criticism
upon practice in vogue at the Birm-
ingham cattle show (Eng.) is made
by the North British Agriculturist
and refers to subjects which ale often
discussed by the management of
American fairs:
While there is much to admire
about the arrangements for the Biz
mingham Exhibition, there is one OF
two things in reference to which we
think improvements might be made.
For instance, the herdsmen are not
allowed to show the cattle; strangers,
and in almost every case, uninterest-
ed and unsuitable parties are specially
engaged for the purpose. The atten-
dants, or those who fed the animals,
and who could show them much bet
ter than those presently employed,
are not admitted into the hall until
the Judging is over. We cannot see
any very strong reason for this, and
the very slovenly and careless manner
in which we have seen many of the
animals led before the judges, in
duces us to think that there are very
forcible arguments the other way.
The owners of stock are entitled to
have their animals fairly shown, and
none can do this so well as those en-
rrsted with their feeding. The only
conceivable grounds on which the
herdsmen are kept out are to prevent
judges having, through knowledge
Of the men, any clue to the owner
ship of the stock. This implies a
little distrust in the impartia!ity Of
the judges, which may or may not be
iustifable. All we can say is that if
it is we'll founded the object is but
partially accomplished by keeping the
herdsmen out, while we consider the
feeders of stock have scrimp Justice
If it is considered essential to fair
and impartial decision that the judges
should be ignorant of the animals
ownership, we fear gentlemen who
are called upon to award the pre-
NUNS must be prohibited from at
tending any local or national show
for a considerable time prior to the
date of the meeting at which they
are in office. We cannot see that
this is practicable; and, therefore,
would suggest that the animals be
shown by those who fed them and
know their temperament.
The other matter to which we
would refer in the way of suggestion
is the selection of the judges. Hith-
erto three gentlemen have adjudica-
ted on all the cattle classes and breeds
in the hall. This is scarcely fair to
exhibitors, for it is rare to find three
human beings possessed of therequis-
lite variety of knowledge and expert
ence to do the whole Judging of a
collection of the kind. The commit
tee generally endeavor to obtain one
recognized judge Of Devons, one of
Shorthorns, and one of Herefords.
Scotch breeds have never been reck
oned of sufficient Importance for a
judge with any speciality in that di-
rection being chosen. This year, we
believe-though we do not mention
the fact for the purpose of faulting
the decisions-two Of three judges
were understood to be Shorthorn
men, and the third repres entative.
The Judging Of Devons and Scotch
breeds by such a body is not likely to
be so satisfactory as if some knowl-
edged authorities in these special and
very distinct breeds were in harness.
1t would be decided improvement,
both for the sake of the exhibitors
and for the judges, if two sets were
appointed for the cattle classes-say
three gentlemen for the Shorthorns,
Scotch, and Crossbreds, and three for
the Herefords, Devons, and Long
horns. In the latter case a good De
Won judge and Hereford champion,
with an "all-around" man, would suit;
while, in the former circle, there
should be at least one good judge Of
Scotch cattle.