FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 331 



who in his history of '^ Galloway Cattle," published iu the transactions of the 

 Michigan Board of Agriculture for 1865, says: "The breed of cattle known as 

 the Galloway may be said to be indigenous to a section of country known by that 

 name in the southwest of Scotland. * * it is a breed of great antiquity, 

 and on account of its various excellencies is sedulously preserved in its purity, 

 and is not likely to be displaced by any other in its native district. Of its ori- 

 gin little can be said." In another place in the same history he says, "The 

 Galloway breed belongs rather to the mountains than the plains, though the 

 district which they occupy in Scotland may be said to be intermediate between 

 the highlands and the warmer and more fertile lowlands. In hardiness and 

 ability to stand rough weather and rough fare, they are excelled by no cattle 

 except the West Highlanders." Their hides are thick, but mellow and elastic. 

 Their hair is very thick, and much longer in winter than that of the English 

 and most other breeds. Thus they carry a natural protection of which cattle 

 belonging to a milder climate are destitute. They are seldom sheltered in Scot- 

 land, although the frequent cold storms of winter could scarcely be endured by 

 cattle of ordinary constitutions." 



Becoming satisfied on the points of hardihood and adaptability to rough and 

 marshy pastures, and being located in what is on record as ''a God-forsaken 

 •countr}'," I about six years ago laid the foundation of my present herd; since 

 which time have purchased nine, sold twelve, and have now on hand t^venty 

 head. After having this experience, I fully agree with the authorities quoted. 



Their being hornless, thereby lessening the liability of injury to their fellows 

 and other stock in the field or yard, adds materially to their value in my esti- 

 mation. 



My herd will stand at a rack, or stow under a shed as quietly as a proportion- 

 ate number of sheep. In disposition I find them mild and tractable, — easy to 

 learn any proper requirements. 



As milkers I consider them equal to the average cattle of the country iu 

 quantity, but considerably above the average in quality. 



As to their beef qualities, my experience having been confined to breeding 

 stock almost exclusively, I can say but little from experience, but authorities 

 uniformly agree that this is their strong point, both as to their early maturity 

 and the quality of the beef. Cully in his " Observations on Live Stock," written 

 in 1783, speaking of Galloways, says : "Few or no cattle sell as high in Smith- 

 field (London) market, being such nice cutters up, and laying the fat on the 

 most valuable parts, and this is a great excellence in all feeding cattle." In 

 Mr. Howard's history, before referred to, I find on this subject the following: 

 "The flesh of the Galloway is of very fine quality, and commands a higher 

 price per pound in the markets of England and Scotland than that of any other 

 breed, except tlie West Highlander and the cattle of the Shetland Islands." 



My experience with grades brings me to about the following conclusions : 

 What we commonly call one-half bloods carry fully seven-tenths of the charac- 

 -teristics of the pure bred Galloway sire ; in fact, by the inexperienced hard to 

 distinguish from the pure bred Galloway, furnishing a class of steers that at 

 two and one-half years surpass the common cattle of the country of like age 

 fully 25 per cent in weight, and as much more in ripeness on similar keep. 

 Also for workers a superior ox to any thing I have ever tried, their remarkable 

 development of muscle coming in play for heavy drafts, and their tractable dis- 

 position making a pleasant team to handle. 



A gentleman in Colorado Avith whom I have had correspondence in regard to 



