Semi Weekly Interior Journal

CATTLE FOR THE SHOW RING.
An Experienced Exhibitor Explains His Method of Preparation.
First of all comes selection of the animal for preparation. I have always considered that a most important factor in the whole business if you expect to be successful in the show ring. I always select cattle of the low down, blocky, early maturing type, with a mellow skin and plenty of hair, descended from animals of good pedigree, famed for smooth feeding qualities.
After making my selection, all cattle above the age of calves I let have a three weeks' run on a field of rye in the early spring. Rye is much better than grass; it gives them a good physicking out and a complete "shed off," which will be a great help later on. I commence giving two feeds daily, composed of one-third ground oats, one-third fresh bran, one-third cornmeal, a little cut hay-mixed all together. Yearlings I allow twelve quarts each animal daily, increasing to sixteen quarts for older cattle, giving one-half the allotted feed night and morning and stabling at night, with access to a little hay.
At the end of the three weeks I stable them during the day, for fear of getting the new coat of hair bleached by the hot sun, so detrimental at that time of year. At night I let them have the run of a special pasture, adjacent to the barn, kept for that purpose, increasing their feed to fourteen quarts yearlings, eighteen quarts older cattle, with an addition of from 1 pound to 1 1/2 of crushed oil cake for each animal daily, to be given in three feeds-morning, noon and evening, afterward pasturing for the night. If the pasture gets short I feed a little green corn fodder, a very desirable substitute.
I keep rock salt by them in preference to common salt, the small percentage of saltpeter contained therein acting on the kidneys so as to keep them in working order-one of the greatest troubles, especially in a second preparation.
I have a great aversion to all kinds of soups. I never dampen the feed but always give it dry; thus it makes a small paunch, which gives the animal a much grander top and side line. The only soup I use is this: I teach the animal to drink water out of a pail with one handful of wheaten flour added. It corrects all impurities in the different kinds of water you meet with in making a circuit. I commend this way of watering show cattle to all amateurs who are making their first circuit of the fairs. Also, if you want your cattle to thrive keep all feed boxes, stables and stable appliances sweet and clean. More especially use kindness in handling, in or out of the stable.
Grooming and blanketing are two of the most important factors in making a good show in the ring. In the early stage of preparation I use a wash composed of a small portion of McDougall's sheep dip added to each pail of rain water and wash the animal thoroughly. It will kill all lice, remove all scurf and make a rapid growth of hair. I use this wash once every month during the preparation-that is if I want to show with a curly coat of hair, which is a most difficult thing to do in so dry a climate. I commence to use blankets in July-very thin ones and light, to keep the flies away. If I want to grow a long silky coat of hair, after first grooming with the brush and before placing the blanket on I take a small watering pot and sprinkle the animal all along the back, using rain water, afterward setting the blanket on. If it is a very dry, hot time I carry this same process on twice each day. A smooth coat is not much trouble and more easily acquired: the less hair in this case the better. I never think a Hereford is finished unless carrying a curly coat of hair.
I also think Hereford show-cattle can be produced mainly off the products of the farm: the success of the Shadeland Herefords I attribute to the above simple treatment. I do not claim for myself the glory of doing the work all alone. I had, in selecting the animals I have the able assistance of C. B. Hart, undoubtedly an expert judge of typical Hereford, and in carrying out my instructions in feeding I have a true and trusted helper in Tom Waters.
In conclusion, I must say it is very rare to have two animals feed alike--a practical feeder will soon detect that. If he is a good judge of cattle it will help him to detect any imperfection or roughness while under the preparation.
I like to get them well up in flesh before the very hot weather sets in, running them easy to the end.
I feed for the fat stock show just the same rations, except that I use no oil cake at all.
-John Lewis in Breeder's Gazette.