Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1914-09-11
Fitting stock for exhibition

(w. II. Underwood in Farm and
Ranch)
Winning ribbons on animals at the
fairs and livestock shows is no easy
matter Those who win the prizes
usually earn them through hard
work and Judgment OF the animals
No one should think for a minute be-
cause an animal looks fine that II
will carry away first prize. Looks
counts, but quality clear through is
what the judges consider. First of
all, then, animals, must be of good
breeding and have strong points of
the particular breed to which they
belong. Scrubs are not considered
for exhibition purposes nowadays.
Good grades of high quality are
sometimes entered at the fairs for
special purposes, yet exhibition of
pure bred animals only is the rule.
The breeding Of pure bred ami
mails of all kinds is fast becoming
an importat industry on the Ameri-
can farms. The chief object of the
fairs and livestock shows is to give
pure-bred breeders a chance to show
and advertise their stock. II is
scarcely worth while to fit an ami
nal for the show ring unless one is
breeder of pure-bred animals and
has quality animals to sell. But, IL
he hes pure bred animals and has
breeding stock to sell, then IL will
pay him to fit the animals and show
them at the fairs 1t is an excellent
way to advertise the animals, and it
is also an excellent schooling for the
breeder to bring his stock in actual
competition with other good animals
for comparison and merit. II one is
conceited it is a good way to have
conceit taken out of him and set
him right on the track of better
breeding.
One of the first things to consider
in fitting a y5dng animal for exhi-
bition is the size. With almost all
animals, size for a given age, is an
important thing. A large animal of
given age will stand much better
chance of winning the prize than a
smaller animal with all the mark
ings of the breed. Therefore, the
young animal should be fed for
rapid growth.
This does not mean that the ami
NAL shall be excessively fat but it
must be of large frame and heavily
fleshed OF course the meat-pro-
ducing animals must carry good
amount of flesh. but they must also
carry good frame to support the
fat harmoniously. All animals ex-
cept racing stock and dairy produc-
ing animals must be round and
plump. Thin animals of this class
will stand small chances of winning
the prizes.
In fitting an animal for exhibition
feeding is the most important item.
The young animals especially must
be fed abundantly, regularly, and of
a variety of feeds that will produce
maximum growth. Proteins and
carbohydrates must be well balanced.
/ Plenty of mineral matter should be
used in the ration to make bone.
The digestive organs must be kept in
a strong and healthy condition. The
animals should be crowded for a
rapid gain in flesh. bone, and finish.
But, the animals must not be over
done and the animal thus gotten off
feed. The appetite should always
be keen. Some green matter. in the
form of forage should be used If pos
sible, with plenty of dry, mixdd,
grain or ground concentrates. The
bowels of the animal should be kept
moderately loose or active with green
feeds. Linseed oil meal in the ra-
ito for practically all the animals
is not only a good regulator of the
bowels, but II is a rich feed in it's
elf and has a tendency to make the
coat fine and glossy. A sleek coat
of hair is always a winning point.
In the matter of makig the animal
look sleek and fine as to its coat of
hair. regular grooming must be
practiced. Combing and brushing
cleanse both the skin and hair for
the more perfect secretions of the
skin. The clean, bright dress of the
animal makes a great difference in
its appearance, and the means of Sc
curing this is through constant use
of the brush. Hogs as wen as horses
-l.e l., ~.
coats are to improve their looks
Cattle and swine should be washed
as well as groomed Warm water
and soap are used, finishing with a
mild water without soap. After the
washing the animal is carefully dried