chiefly as regards the Froductlon of Meat. 409 



doubt that the sale of a valuable herd of Shorthorns is a very 

 great boon to that part of the country in which it takes place, 

 for it not only gives those who are wishful an opportunity of 

 introducing blood into their stock, but it also stimulates many 

 to exertion, and causes them to buy animals which they would 

 never have thought of doing privately. Perhaps the best herd 

 ever offered for competition in Cumberland was that of the late 

 Mr. Saunders, of Nunwick Hall, near Penrith, which for blood, 

 symmetry, and fashion was difficult to match ; and so the public 

 seemed to think, for many of the animals brought exceedingly 

 high prices. The dispersion of this stock enabled neighbouring 

 farmers to improve their herds very materially ; but perhaps no 

 landed proprietor ever gave better facilities to his tenants and 

 neighbours for improving their stock, than did the late Mr. 

 vSaunders during the latter part of his life. He allowed them 

 the free use of his fashionable bulls, and many Avere not slow 

 in taking advantage of the privilege thus offered. It was chiefly 

 from Nunwick Hall that Mr. John Davidson, late of Greengill 

 Farm, laid the foundation of a herd which not only reflected 

 credit upon himself, but also realized a considerable sum of 

 money when dispersed at the fall of Mr. Thornton's hammer. 

 The herds above mentioned are those in which pedigrees are 

 traced ; but of course upon many farms, where pedigrees are not 

 kept, good Shorthorns are to be found, with large frames, full of 

 hair, of fine symmetry, and possessing great milking capacities, 

 as well as a propensity to mature early. And it is worthy of 

 remark, that, as a rule, the cattle in the neighbourhood of a good 

 stock of pedigreed Shorthorns are much better than those in dis- 

 tricts where no such herds are kept ; so that private individuals 

 who bring their cattle to anything approaching a state of per- 

 fection are, in an indirect manner, acting as benefactors to the 

 community at large, thus verifying the old adage which states 

 that " Example is more powerful than precept." 



As this breed is gradually gaining in public favour, and it is 

 not at all unlikely that in time much more of the beef annually 

 consumed will be traceable, either directly or indirectly, to Short- 

 horn animals, I have thought it desirable to give a brief account of 

 what has already been done by Shorthorn fanciers. The gradual 

 improvement of land by drainage, manuring, and general good 

 management, is so striking, that pastures which at one time pro- 

 duced nothing but coarse grasses, are noAV finishing off cattle 

 with blood of Booth or Bates in their veins, and sheep having 

 about them a dash of Bakewell. Should anything occur to stop 

 the heavy consignments of Irish cattle, still more attention would 

 be paid to the breeding and rearing of Shorthorns and Shorthorn 

 crosses at home ; and I have no doubt that, with a little extra- 



