Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1886-08-18
BEGINNING A HERD.

we'll for contemplating buyer to avail him
self of these occasions for studying, not only
the usual type OF animals In a given breed
that, as rule wins, but the several breeds
as they stand in their stalls, and as they are
placed side by side in the show ring. Ones
own eyes will guide him tolerably right,
though he may not have educated himself
up to high point in cattle matters, yet if
he will secure the aid Of thorough cattle
man to pass with him among the beasts on
exhibition, he can very easily be placed
right in essential points. 1t is not uncom.
mon for the novice, in looking over row Of
cattle, to overlook points Of paramount in
terest and be attracted by features that cut
but slight figure in the value of given
animal. For instance, he will look directly
over and not seem to see rare excellences-
rare because situated in parts that the
highest skill in breeding quite often fails to
make satisfactory-passng a criticism upon
the length or set OF the horn. Thus, how
few unskilled seekers there are who are CON-
petent to estimate at its value, in the case Of
cattle bred for meat production, the full,
well.rounded crops, so admired by we'll
informed cattle men.
The contemplating beginner could readily
be shown how he could pass along at the rear
of row of cattle in their stalls, and stand
ing close at the rear of each, look forward,
estimating, as the eye surveys the top OF the
beast ~, the rumP, as to its width and
levelness. az, the setting on OF the tail,
in SO far as it contributes to appearances.
(3), the manner in which the parts between
the rump and point Of the hip are filled up,
and made wide by having large full muscles
packed into this point, so commonly def
cient. 90, Estimate the width of the hips,
because here we secure great gain when we
breed heifer that at three years is as wide
in the hips as her dam was at four years
This witdh extends, OF course, from top
downward, proportionaly, and an added
inch, from top downward, and from front
to rear Of the hind quarter, is gain OF no
mean importance. 81, Just forward OF the
hips we come upon that beauty spot in irst-
class show cattle, namely, the point made
level by the short ribs standing out at good
length and level from their attachment to
the spinal column. This part, when found
as indicated, and packed full Of flesh, is
point of value, besides which the horn, and
its shape, is insignificant. Without this fea-
,ure being well developed there can be no
level top on the beast, and without level
top no beast can be first class.
Now (6), let the eye consider the manner
in which the parts that are, in part, shaped
up by the short ribs, merge into the trunk
proper, or that part that receives its spread
from the spring of the long ribs. All this,
like every other portion Of the top, can be
thoroughly estimated from the position at the
rear Of the beast, and it cannot be from any
other. Then ~, forward over the spring
of the ribs, and estimating the rotundity
given by these, and the flesh upon them, we
look along the upper line and make our esi-
i1dlS VI luat ulhlSult pat " piCSu JuSt iShNs
namely, the crops. This we can estimate
Alright better from the rear view than from
any other. (S), Looking forward, we can
readily see whether there is symmetrical
union between the ribbing and crops and the
shoulder, estimating how well the shoulder
sides are evened up, and how symmetrcally
they are rounded over the top. (o). The
neck can be pretty correctly estimated from
same point of view, as can also the general
makeup Of the head.
A cattle beast that can stand scrutiny
under the eye Of COMPETENT judge, from the
point of view named. is quite likely to have
all the minor parts fairly well shaped up.
There is hardly any place so good as fair
ground in which to put cattle under this sort
of inspection, and no lesson that a contem.
plating beginner can take that will. having
competent person with him, be nearly so
valuable as the one pointed out. We are
we'll aware that this is point of view the
least likely to be selected of any, yet this is,
Of several, one of the most important things
to be learned by the beginner, and once
mastered, will not be forgotten. After the
awards are made, if the party interested will
pass along at the rear Of the cattle, careful
ly inspecting the points we have pointed out,