Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-09-23

dreds of steers have been raised and
poorly raised at that These in their
second, third or fourth year, when al
lowed good grass run, may be easily
taken by the novice as fairly good and
profitable animals to specially
If secured at from 2M to cents per
pound. Now, If such cattle are from
beefy dams, says Farmers Advocate.
and have been well reared, they might
return a profit for labor and cheap
food consumed; but in most cases the
dairy COWS that are bred are not Of
that sort and the resul, isfto disgust
the inexperienced steer feeder with
trying 10 make money out of beef, or
else to show him the more glaring les
Son, that TO try to do it with the wrong
type of animal was the mistake. Prac-
tical and expe ricnced feeders. who
breed or purchase steers for fattening,
observe striking differences in the
aptitude of animals of varying types
and makeup 10 lay oil flesh readily
and in such form and quality as to
command the highest price on the
market
Prof. Curtiss says, in recently is
sued bulletin on Essentials in Beef
Productions" at requires n we'll
trained eye to detect in all cases the
possible variation OF results in the
store or stock steer; but there are
some distinctions that are easily de-
tected. There are certain types of
cattle, for instance, that never feed
proftably under any conditions, and
IT is quite as important to discriminate
against these in the feed lot as to be
able to recognize the excellence in
other types. The accompanying illus
tration, Fig. /, represents a yearling
steer that combines practically all the
qualities that go to make up good
feeding steer" While the actual feed
ing qualities Of steer in thin condi
ton are more difficult to detect than
one in better condition, still the bet
ter sort Ito quote Prof. Curtiss) pre-
sents n blocky frame and stoutness Of
build accompanied by short, straight
legs, wide back and loin, well-sprung
ribs, fullncss back Of shoulders and in
flank, prominent brisket, wide chest
and weIl-rounded barrel, together
with n good, soft, melow-handlng
skin and fine silky hair, giving what Is
termed the thick, messy coat, without
coarseness, and withal, good strong,
vigorous head, clear, full eye, and
quiet temperament" Soft. mellow
will the thrifty steer of beef form
coarseness in head, horn or any other
part are desirable characteristics.
Cheap meat, a greater percentage of
offal, as well as a tendency o unthrift-
mess, usually accompany coarseness
and matchmaking skin. Not only
will the thrifty steer Of beet form
make greater gains for the food con
sumed, but he will sell for much bet
ter price per hundrcdweight when fat
This is readily understood when It is
remembered that loin and rib roasts OF
prime quality retail for from II
to IS cents per pound, while flank and
plate cuts sell for from two to -four
cents, and internal tallow for foui
cents per pound II is not a matter
of prejudice against this or that breet
or type, when an expert buyer offer
3H cents per pound for one mans cat
tie, and AZ cents for another lot o
no greater weight, as he values then
strictly on their merits. The control
ling factor is the utility and inheren
value of the animal for the practica
test of the butcher. So that il som,
of us have, perchance, remodeled on
stables with the idea of feeding steers
and after winters feeding are almos
ready to proclaim that there is "nt
money in beef" let us look into tn,
cause AMI see whether or not we bny'
given the matter a fair trial in III
character Of animals fed; and befor
giving up, if 1t is necessary TO pur
chase stockers, may we select onl'
those which have been well rearet
+ from thrifty, beef-form parentage
! ard in themselves possess the charac
: leristics indicated in the cut.