FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 219 



coiitiuue to do so, as I find they pay better for their keep than any other breed ; 

 or, at any rate, than those I have tried against them, viz. : Shortliorns and Ab- 

 erdeens." 



"They are hardier and stand tiiis nortiierii climate better than any Short- 

 horns I can find,' all of which prove delicate, and many of them die. The 

 Hercfords can be brought to the iiighest condition with grass and turnips, while 

 the otliers require oil cake or grain, or both.'* 



From Ireland, Mr. Gilliland, of Londonderry, writes: "I consider the Ilere- 

 fords the best class of stock I can keep for the butcher."' 



" They are much hardier than the Shorthorns, and more easily fattened than 

 either tlie Shorthorns, Ayrshire or Irish. I have crossed them with the two 

 last breeds to much advantage, particularly the Irish, which are greatly im- 

 proved in their fattening qualities by the cross. I have had several weigh over 

 twenty cwt. gross under three years old." 



From Canada, Mr. F. W. Stone, of Guelph, writes: ''I am an extensive 

 breeder of Shorthorns, of which breed I think very higiily ; yet I trust I shall 

 answer your inquiries without prejudice." 



"I believe them preferable to other breeds as grazers. Those I have, seem 

 at all times fit for the butcher, and I think they will prove most profitable for 

 the Western prairies. I have had no experience in stall feeding, but during 

 our long winters they seem to surpass others in condition, and I think them 

 as hardy as any other breed, and very suitable animals for this climate." 



The foregoing from Mr. Stone was written in 186G. Since then it would seem 

 he has had experience in stall feeding, and the relative merits and advantages 

 of the Herefords as compared with the Shorthorns. 



lu a letter received from T. L. Miller, of Illinois, of December 30th, 1878, 

 he says, in answer to my questions on tiiis point : 



"The Herefords can be kept on less feed, and make greater gain than any 

 other breed, and when made will bring more money." 



Mr. F. W. Stone, of Canada, and G. S. Burleigh, of Iowa, who have bred 

 Herefords and Shorthorns for many years, place the difference as three to two, 

 i. e., that they can keep three Herefords on the same keep as two Shorthorns. 

 He adds : 



The London market quotations show higher prices for Hereford than for 

 Shorthorn beef. To-day and for a year past, at the Union stock yards, Kansas 

 City, and St. Louis, they arc recognized as the leading steer; and the Here- 

 fords as the coming beef cattle." 



" I have grazed and fed Shorthorn and Hereford grades together, and the 

 Herefords were better at two than the Shorthorns at three, and at three than 

 the Shorthorns at four." 



" Of the Herefords shown by me, at the late fat cattle show held at Chicago, 

 a seven years old ox dressed nearly seventy per cent of beef to the gross 

 weight. A seven years old cow dressed seventy pounds. A three years old 

 cow dressed sixty-eight pounds. The seven years old ox, or seven years old 

 cow, were not high fed, and the three years old had not been off the pasture 

 five months. 1 fed a pair of three years old, and a pair of two years old grade 

 Herefords from June 1st to December 1st, makinof a 2fain on the three vears 

 old of 1,000 pounds, and on the two years old of 1,200 pounds." 



" I have sold in the last five years mostly to the plains and Texas, over 400 

 head, mostly bulls, at prices ranging from $200 to S500, and in some cases at 

 higher figures. Mv annual sales of this breed of cattle average considerably 

 over $30,000." 



