Preparing Cattle For The Show Ring.

Northland Age, Volume 27, Issue 40, 21 October 1927, Page 7

Preparing Cattle For The Show Ring.

A FEW USEFUL HINTS. I have been asked to say something about the preparation of cattle for show, and although different breeders follow differeut methods, a few general observations on methods adopted by myseli may be of assistance to the ambitious young breeder who has an eye on prizes in the show yards, says Mr D 1 Jenkins, in the “Western Mail” It is a tasx that must be commenced with the birth of the call and steadfastly pursued until its career is at an end. The calf muu**bc chosen when quite young. It must have a good top, a good undet.title and up-right hocks. Tne hocks pla; an important part in the career of a showyards beast. The calf should hate its mother’s milk until tc is about eight months old, and the mothei should nave bran, crushed oats and linseed cake. Exercise and Feeding One oi the greatest essentials is daily exercise. Without this the calf soon be gins to took and lose its balance, and ail pro.ipw.ts it. may have had as a show yard beast will disappear. Care suould be taken never to ovet-feed. The food snould be weighed, and if any is left, it snoutd be removed before the animal is leu again. It will be necessary periodically to give some physic and an occasional wash, to remove all dust and dirt irom the coat and stop irritation. A show animal should have a good coat, cud this can only be produced with great care and by means ot damping with cold •water every morning. Care should be taken that the animal lias the best of hay ad lib, and clean fresh vater provided daily. A little rock salt will be found serviceable. Feeding should be done three times a day, and too ouch caie cannot be given to see that the feeding takes place the same time every uay. Punctuality aud reguality are the wo great principles to follow. Teach the Beast to Walk Show beasts should be taught to walk and stand to the best advantage for juJging, and in no circumstances should anything be done that will be likely to rxcite the beast. There is as much art in the showing of a beast as preparing it ■or show judges like to look at a beast , hat can walk. Attention is being paid toay to the carriage of an animal, and many judges hold the opinion that if an animal cannot walk, he is ot no use. To sum up: Regular feeding, plenty of exercise, good schooling before he gels into the show yard, and continuous care and interest in the beast will carry the young exhibitor a long way towards the honours if he has made a good choice in his selection of a beast.

1 Why is smoking so often attended with I results that cause medical men to order their patients to cither discontinue the habit, or greatly modify it. It is simply ■ because the percentage of nicotine inmost imported tobaccos is so high and it is the nicotine in excess that renders smoking injurious. Now, our New Zealand grown tobaccos contain so small a percentage of nicotine that it is practically a negligible quantity, and besides, they are subjected to a new toasting process. Toasting develops tiie flavour, removes all deleterious properties and makes the tobacco climate proof. Toasted tobacco is recommended to those who study their health and appreciate a pure tobacco. If you like a full body try Cut Plug No. 10 the Bullhead label, or the somewhat milder Toasted Navy Cut (Bulldog). There is another brand, Riverhead Gold, which excels all others in mildness and aroma. They may be smoked with impunity and cost 25 per cent less than the foreign lines.