Cross-Breeding Cattle. 55 



hardy, are on the whole ill adapted to bear exposure to that 

 climate until the extension of cultivation and general improve- 

 ment have modified its character. In like manner the Gla- 

 morgan or South Wales breed have been crossed with the Devon 

 and Hereford (the latter having the preference), but with so little 

 success that the breeder will here best promote his intei'est by 

 attending to the improvement of the existing races. 



The Hereford bull has likewise been extensively used with 

 the home-bred dairy cows in the counties of Gloucester, Warwick, 

 and Worcester, which have the general character of the short- 

 horn (though not o* the improved type), with some peculiarities. 

 The produce is commonly seen in the fairs and markets in the 

 counties just named, as also at Banbury and occasionally at 

 ]\orthampton. They are large and weigh well, have great apti- 

 tude to fatten, are of first-rate quality, and consequently are in 

 good favour with the butcher. Many graziers prefer them to 

 the average run either of Hereford?, or Devons. 



In the east of England the polled Suffolks, a much improved 

 breed which is highly esteemed for the quantity and quality of 

 their milk, offers suitable subjects for crossing with the short- 

 horn bull. The first cross are good in quality, feed to great 

 weights, and attain maturity at an early age. We have some 

 experience of a cross between a short-horn bull and some cows 

 purchased of Lord Sondes, and the produce evince great promise. 

 We have also tried a cross between the short-horn and Channel 

 Island breeds, and find that the cows of the first cross ai'e of greater 

 size ; the yield of milk is increased in quantity frequently at the 

 expense of quality ; the steers feed readily, and reach a good 

 weight, but the meat, particularly the fat, invariably retains the 

 yellow tinge peculiar to this breed. 



If we now turn to Scotland we shall find among its native 

 breeds some of the best materials for cross-breeding. 



Galloway, which comprises the counties of Wigton, Kirkcud- 

 bright, and Dumfries, was once the exclusive home of the polled 

 Galloway breed which bears this name ; even at home it has had 

 for some years to struggle for the ascendancy with the dairy cows 

 from Ayrshire. Formerly the Galloways were bred on most 

 farms in this district, grazed for three years on the inferior 

 pastures, and then sent to be finished off in the eastern and 

 midland counties ; modern improvements, however, have now 

 generally enabled the breeder to fatttii his animals at home. 

 The improved Galloway is almost faultless in form, and is well 

 adapted for crossing, as it readily amalgamates with other breeds, 

 more particularly the short-horn. We have the authority and 

 precedent of the late Richard Booth as a guarantee of the 

 superior value of this cross, since one tribe, and that not the 



