of tlie Vienna Exhibition, 1873. 5 



carcass were evidently in their eyes all-important, and it was 

 according to this standard that the awards were apparently 

 made. 



Mr. Robert Russell, of Horton Court, Kent, while himself an 

 exhibitor in the sheep classes, showed his practical appreciation 

 of excellence, whether found at home or abroad, by purchasing 

 examples of foreign breeds of sheep and cattle. The present 

 seems a fitting place to refer to this fact, because it is interesting 

 to chronicle the introduction of foreign breeds of live stock into 

 this country, conjointly with the introduction of our own im- 

 proved races into other lands. Mr. Russell became a purchaser 

 of Swiss and Italian cattle and Merino sheep, and, in answer to 

 a letter of inquiry, he replies as follows : — 



" In answer to yours respecting my foreign cattle, I think perhaps the first 

 thing to mention concerning them would be give you some little idea as to 

 the trouble and expense of importing foreign stock. These, you are aware, I 

 purchased at the Vienna Exhibition, there being one cow and two heifers of 

 the pure-bred Swiss breed, also a thoroughbred Italian bull calf, aged four 

 n:!oiiths. In the first place, my man railed them to Antwerp, and on arriving 

 there found that if they were shipped to England from that port they would 

 have to be slaughtered ; he then came over to England for instructions. I 

 received information that if they were shipped from Kotterdam they could 

 land at Harwich, and, by going through their quarantine of twelve hours, 

 would be passed without any further trouble. I despatched my man over to 

 Antwerp again, to rail them from there to Rotterdam ; but on arriving on the 

 boundary of Belgium and Holland, he was started off back with them, not being 

 allowed to go into Holland ; then I applied to the Privy Council for an order 

 to land them ; but the only one I could get was to ship them from Antwerp 

 to London, then tranship them into a barge, then into the Dublin steamer for 

 Southampton, at which place they were to undergo a month's quarantine ; 

 then I railed them home. However, now I do not regret the trouble I took, 

 as I am very pleased with them. The Swiss cows are of a dark mouse 

 colour; in appearance rather bull-headed, very level on the back, have wonder- 

 ful large bone, and there is no doubt they are very hardy ; they always appear 

 in good condition, even when not having cake or cabbage, and they are very 

 docile, and hardier than Shorthorns. They are very good milkers, but not so 

 good as I should have expected perhaps, as they neither give so much milk, 

 nor of such good quality, as the Alderney ; but I have found out the way to 

 obtain most beautiful butter, by mixing half iMderney and half Swiss milk. 

 A great many of my friends have tasted the butter, and pronounce it to be 

 the best they ever tasted. I intend trying three crosses, viz., one with the 

 Italian bull and Swiss cows ; one with an Alderney bull and Swiss cows ; and 

 one between the Italian bull and Alderney cows, to get a greater size. I have 

 been extremely fortunate, as one of the heifers calved down (bull calf) at 

 . Antwerp, the other heifer at Southampton (bull calf), and the cow having a 

 cow calf about six weeks ago ; they all seem to thrive wonderfully. 



"The Italian bull, since 1 have had him, has improved very much, and we 

 have to keep him well, as he is inclined to outgrow his strength. His colour 

 is sandy. 1 do not admire his points so much, but when he commences to 

 fill out he will no doubt improve. He feeds well, and is healthy. The breed 

 is a very large one, as the mother, I think, was the finest sjiecimen of a cow 

 I ever saw. They are wonderfully good milking cows as to quantity, but for 



