4.0 Agriculture of Shropshire, 



the same line, jet when crossed with each other the weakness is 

 overcome, and a vigorous produce is the result. If, as 1 believe, 

 a close kindred of blood renders the Herefords of this district 

 susceptible of this influence, it is clear that the introduction of 

 fresh blood will render them less so. This, however, is not the 

 cause, for we must draw a line of distinction between the cause 

 which operates, and that peculiar state of the system which 

 renders an animal predisposed to, or susceptible of this preju- 

 dicial influence. We may have two cows in the same field, and 

 in every respect under the same treatment, the one a well-bred 

 Hereford, and the other an inferior Welsh cow ; the former 

 casts her calf, but the latter is not influenced in the same way. 

 The same cause has operated on both, but whilst the one has 

 not energy to withstand or tinow off the irritating agent, the 

 other is able to do so, and thereby escapes its influence. 



One of the most frequent causes of abortion is the diseased 

 herbage of our meadows. This is especially the case with rye- 

 grass, which, when it has run to seed, and is subsequently ex- 

 posed to a moist climate, developes a fungus possessing very 

 similar action to the ergot of rye, though in a much milder form. 

 Professor Buckman, in his account of the Natural History of 

 British Grasses,* states that he has gathered ergot from almost 

 every species of grass, but the rye-grass is especially liable to 

 this disease. In order that the reader may be able to recognise 

 its appearance, the accompanying Plate is extracted from the 

 above-named article. (See p. 41.) 



The great extent to which this evil has extended demands the 

 serious attention of all connected with this district. Tiie losses 

 have been most serious throughout the neighbourhood. I know 

 one breeder who lost 1200/. in three years from this disease. 

 The land which has been most productive of abortion is that 

 portion which has been grazed ; for here the rye-grass has had 

 the opportunity of running to seed, and from this seed the ergot 

 is afterwards produced. It is clear, therefore, that one way to 

 avoid the evil is to remove in-calf heifers and cows from such 

 fields as soon as the hay is carried from the mowing-ground, 

 and keep them on the after-grass, which would probably be 

 (juite free from the exciting cause. 



I may say th.at, as a rule, animals of inferior quality are held 

 in very low estimation throughout this district, and when ani- 

 mals are grazed which are not bred upon the farm, those of 

 good quality are alone purchased. No doubt this results from 

 the Herefords being such good feeders and grazing so readil}-. 

 Occasionally we have the Hereford bullocks broken for work, 



* Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. xv. p. 477. 



