162 ON THE WEST HIGHLAND BREED OF CATTLE. 



flesh of fattening animals. In furtherance of the improvement 

 and conservation of this hardy and picturesque race, it may he 

 noted that there are certain external signs which may serve to 

 guide the breeder in selecting animals calculated to produce 

 healthy offspring capable of early maturity. The touch is known 

 by the thick loose skin, which yields to the least pressure like a 

 piece of thick chamois leather. This indicates hardiness of con- 

 stitution and capability of carrying plenty of muscle as well as a 

 sufficiency of fat, and also of withstanding the rigours of a cold 

 climate. The ears should be tolerably line, thick ears being a 

 sign of coarseness. The horns also ought to be fine, without, 

 however, sacrificing either leugth or strength, coarse and thick 

 horns indicating ill-bred animals. The eye should be bright and 

 lively, and the muzzle well defined. 



Concluding Rcmarhs. — In bringing this report to a close, it may 

 be well to reproduce the most prominent points requiring atten- 

 tion in the improvement and conservation of the West Highland 

 breed. 



1. Attention should be paid to secure the best blood whereon 

 to found a stock. 



2. Each fold should from time to time be improved, or rather 

 kept up to a certain standard of excellence by the owner selecting 

 fresh strains of blood from herds of rej^ute. 



3. In the rearing of calves, the young should be generously 

 treated, and have free access to their dams, in order that they 

 may obtain sufficient nourishment to ensure the development of 

 bone, frame, and muscle, 



4. Good shelter should lie provided for the stock in winter, 

 thus preventing disease, and the younger animals from becoming 

 stunted in growth. 



5. During the winter storms food should be supplied, conducing 

 to heat and general healthiness of condition. 



tto long as the present standard of perfection is kept up in the 

 noble breed under consideration, and beef remains at a high price, 

 there is no fear that the farmers in the West of Scotland will 

 allow the numbers to fall off seriously, for so long will both the 

 breeder and rearer be amply remunerated for their outlay. 



NOTE BY THE EDITOE. 



In an article published in tlie " Transactions of the Highland 

 Society for 1803," there is a paper on the state of the Highland 

 cattle during Avinter. In tljat paper great stress is laid on the 

 losses sustained by the death of cattle in the spring season from 

 want of food and the diseases that are engendered by starvation.. 



