LIVE STOCK

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1893, Page 8

LIVE STOCK

WORLD'S FA if: > Tyok the Blue Kll>bor.» In eastern horse shows the drafts are scant in number, and the best ones usual ly come from Canada. Not so in the west or at the World's fair. The draft breeds loomed up shiningly, especially the fav./r-.-- "-i-.fi and Clyde horses. The ! . . .he most widespread of 1 .-_ .:_ Lorses iv this country, but '.•■•••:..'— : r -'-:' 7 dies v.-^re. most numeroush ivj-if-santsd at the fair. The Clydesdale breeders had made an extraordinary eilorfc. It was fully demonstrated by the

animals in the show ring that America can breed Clydesdales quite as well as Scotland can. The Clydesdale that took first prize in the aged stallion class was the famous old Macqueen of the Blairgowrie stud, Madison, Wis. For the past six years Macqueen has distanced all competitors in the Clydesdale stallion ring, and he has done it again at the World's fair. He is considered by experts to realize the perfect model of his class. He has spirit and freedom as well as strength. In the Percheron aged stallion class Fier-a-Bras, the Illinois horse, secured the first prize over 17 competitors. French breeders attended the Percheron show in numbers and praised it high-

ly. They were evidently impressed with the progress made in Percheron breedfag in America. Fier-a-Bras, the prize horse, is a splendid black stallion of Brilliant blood. His breast, shoulder, back and legs were especially commended. Showyard Tricks. "Tricks in all trades," there are unquestionably. The showman of live stock is credited with his full share, and not unjustly in some instances. Of course the horse dealer has occasioned most of the railing and accusation on this score. Antimony, the currycomb, liniment, skillful farriery and glass eyes condition some of the worst "bag o' bone" so well that judges and purchasers are deceived. These tricks are more often met with in the sale stable than in the showyard. Sheep men know a thing or two — and some practice what they know — about the use of shears in shaping up. It is difficult for swine or beef cattle to be "doctored" for show so as to conceal effects. They may be "dressed up" a bit, which is perfectly legitimate and altogether desirable. The best foot must be put forward when on exhibition, but when that best foot is a clubfoot it passes the bounds of legitimate preparation to attempt artificially to shape it into perfect foot form. Exhibitors of dairy cattle find opportunity for a species of deception in allowing their cows to go nnmilked the night before or the morning of the day of judging. The practice is so widely prevalent that many fairs have formulated specific rules against it, which in some cases are oftener violated than observed. Udders distended to the utmost capacity, hard as if gargeted and almost inflamed, are to be seen in nearly every show ring where dairy breeds are being judged. Ofttimes the pressure is so great that milk streams from the teats and makes puddles under the cows. This is as it ought not to be. The owner and the cow both are entitled to an examination when the udder is sufficiently full to show its normal distention at regular milking periods, and the dairy cows should be called to the judging at a time when they may be seen at their best advantage in this respect. But that time is not when the quarters are swollen and the teats are spurting milk like a fountain. That is nothing less than cruelty to animals, and we are glad to see that it has been so held in a court of law. i A canny Scot was the offender, and in the effort to suppress the plain evidence of the offense he plugged the cow's teats with bits of wood to prevent the leaking of milk. An official of the Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was on duly at the Eilbarchan show, and about midday he discovered the exhibitor plugging up a teat from which milk was streaming. He directed him to desist, and on examination found another teat plugged. Be testified that "the appearance of the cow's udder was very straight and distended, and the animal was kicking about and standing wide." The exhibitor admitted that the cow had not been milked since 6 o'clock the previous night. The court said, "Ten dollars and costs, or 14 days," for cruelty to animals— a ,wholesome bit of Scotch justice. — Breeder's Gazette.