THE BUFFALO OR BISON 139 
half-breed cows, 5 half-breed bulls, and 17 calves, mixed 
and pure. In that year this herd was purchased for $50,000 
by Mr. C. J. Jones, of Kansas, who had already been 
courageously endeavouring to produce a cross-bred race. 
Hornaday quotes an interesting letter from Mr. Bedson, 
written in 1888, in which the latter gives his experience. 
The crossing was generally between the buffalo bull and 
an ordinary cow, with encouraging results and no greater 
losses than would be experienced in ranching with ordinary 
cattle. Buffalo cows and crosses dropped calves at as low 
a temperature as 20° below zero, and the calves were sturdy 
and healthy. Mr. Bedson states: ‘‘The half-breed resulting 
from two crosses as above mentioned has been again crossed 
with the thoroughbred buffalo bull, producing a three- 
quarter breed animal closely resembling the buffalo, the 
head and robe being quite equal, if not superior. The half- 
breeds are very prolific. The cows drop a calf annually. 
They are also very hardy indeed, as they take the instinct 
of the buffalo during blizzards and storms, and do not 
drift like native cattle. They remain in our open prairies 
while the thermometer ranges from 30 to 40 degrees below 
zero, with little or no food except what they rustle on the 
prairie and no shelter at all.” After pointing out the ad- 
vantages of an animal that does not need care and shelter 
during the winter, he continues: ‘‘They are always in good 
order, and I consider the meat of the half-breed much pref- 
erable to domestic animals, while the robe is very fine 
indeed, the fur being evened up on the hind parts, the same 
as on the shoulders.” When it was necessary through 
accident to slaughter certain of the half-breed animals, the 
dressed hides realized from $50 to $75 each, and a half- 
breed buffalo ox four years old weighed 1,280 pounds 
dressed beef. The three-quarter breed was an enormous 
animal, possessing an extra good robe; Mr. Bedson con- 
sidered them the coming cattle for range cattle in our 
