Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-12-30
TESTING BEEF EEDs.


Experiments which Havs Never Given
satisfactory aud Reliable II suits.
The leading meat-producing breeds
OF cattle that have been developed in
Great Britain have been in this coun-
try many years, and the superiority OF
either OF them over the scrub or So
called native stock OF most of the
States has been acknowledged by feed
ers, butchers and consumers. Still
the majority of farmers arc in doubt in
relation TO the relative merits of the
different breeds. They all desire to
keep cattle of the breed that natures
the earliest, produces the greatest
weight tor the amount Of food con-
sumed, and furnishes the finest meat
with the least waste. The breeders OF
short-horn, Hereford, polled Angus.
Suffolk and Devon cattle have claimed
every point of merit for the breed they
are interested in. Many OF them are
doubtlessly honest in eXtollng the
breed they keep over all others. II is
as natural that man should prefer the
cattle he keeps rs that he should con-
slider the members Of his own family
superior to the people OF the neighbor-
hood where he lives. A careful and
pain stalking breeder ordinarily has a
strong attachm mt for the animals he
raises. Fancy has much to do in caus-
ing a man to select particular bre ld
of animals, and an old adage runs:
"There is no accounting for taste"
The majority of persons in the
country who raise animals for beef are
rs undecided in regard to the cOmpar-
ative merits OF the different breeds rs
they were before there were any dis.
cuss!ons respecting the matter. The
few agricultural colleges in the coun-
try that perform any experiments in
catile-feeding have not ventured to
test the merits of the different breeds,
probably for the reason that they fear
To give Ofiense TO breeders. II was
generally believed that the establish
ment of livestock shows would do
much to determine which breed Of cat
tie was the most profitable to raise for
beef But tho displays Of fine speci-
mems OF the different breeds apparent
| ly made il more difficult than ever t0
decide which was the best. For this
reason II was urged that n display OF
live cattle was not sufficient to enable
! persons 10 determine the comparative
merits of the different breeds. Accord
| ingly specimens OF different breeds OF
| the same age were slaughtered and
their meat inspected by experts in
order TO determine which was the best.
But the block test did not decide the
controversy In relation 10 superior
merit In a few instances the micro
scope was used for examining the
dressed meat, and 1t was then sub.
| iectcd to the table test after il had
been roasted or bro.led.
All the tests that have been made,
however for determining the relative
yalue Of the different breeds have not
resulted in convincing people that one
breed Is greatly superior 10 the others.
Many contend that food exercises a
more important influence on the quail
| ity OF beef than the breed Of the ami.
NAL. Prof. j. w. SanbOrn, OF tn Mis-
souri, Agricultural College, states, ns
the result OF numerous experiment.
made by him, that the kind Of food
anu AiE AlhAlEA liA hNNEn ~ ~ pre-
pared exert wonderful influence on
the quantity and quality OF the flesh OF
all kinds Of anima's. Two steers OF
the same breed and Of the same age
and size will furnish meat of very dif-
feront qualities II the food eaten by
each Is dissimilar The meat Of one
may be beautifully marbled. while that
OF the other will have all the fat -
posted on the surface. He contends
that the comparative value OF the dii-
ferent breeds can only be Diet rmined
by subject'ng several specimens OF
each TO the same course of feeding dur
ing the entire period OF their growth.
or at least from the time they are
weaned till they are slaug ghterel. A
correct test Of q breed can, in his Opin-
ion. only be made when animals Oi
different breeds are supplied with the
same kinds Of food
The experiment. however fairly con-
Quoted, will not definitely determine
the comparative merits Of the different
breeds for various sections of the coun-
try. II may cOnclusyely show which
breed Is the most profitable 10 keep In
Central Missouri and other sections OF
the country where the climate and pro
tect'on are similar. At the latitude
named ths winters are not severe.
bluegrass abOunds, timothy and
clover are used for hay. aud corn Is
generally fed to cattle intended for
slaughter. The breed shown TO be tho
best for this section OF the country
may not be the best breed for the ex-
treme South, whore the grazing l.
poor, whore no clover Is grown. and
where corn Is too scarce to use for fat
tening cattle. Neither will II show
which is the best breed OF cattle for the
range and ranch where animals hav,
no protection during the winter. wher,
no grass Is converted into hay. and
whore there Is no grains TO feed. One
valuable fact, however, is all thai
should be expected az thu result o
any experiment Other experiment.
can be tried with a view 10 determiD
ing the best breed Of cattle for the cat
| tle-arowing States and tho Rren