THE gHORT-HORXS. 161 



If the breeder's attention be turned solely to the dairy quality, 

 he succeeds in obtaining, with few exceptions, good milkers. If 

 he turn his attention, regardless of milk, to the grazing qualities 

 of his stock, he can gradually breed out the tendency to milk in 

 his cows, beyond a sufficiency to raise the calf to six or eight 

 months old ; and perhaps it is to be regretted that the tendency 

 of too many breeders is to the latter. Breeding for the grazing 

 quality solely, tends, indisputably, to give them more. comely 

 proportions, and greater size than when bred for the dairy. It is 

 as the animal is bred, either way, that strikes the observer, 

 whether the short-horn cow, as a race, is either a good or poor 

 milker, without a proper experience to confirm his judgment; 

 and therefore we say that she may be either good or inferior, 

 in that quality, as the breeder chooses to have it. 



AS A WORKING OX, 



We cannot highly recommend the high bred short-horn for that 

 purpose solely. From his massive frame, and inclination under 

 full feed, to take on flesh, he is sluggish in movement. His 

 shoulders are too upright for easy draft, unlike the Devon, or 

 Hereford, or even our native ox. His natural step is slow. We 

 have seen the thorough bred short-horn ox worked in the yoke. 

 We have had, in the dull days of short-horns, several pairs in 

 farm work, some years, and although they proved honest, stout, 

 and obedient, we preferred others for quickness in movement. 

 Crossed upon the native cow, or with the Hereford, or Devon, 

 as half bloods, they prove excellent workers. Some breeders 

 contend that the thorough bred short-horn ox is as good a worker 

 as any other; but the weight of evidence does not confirm the 

 assertion; still, they do work, and that quite tolerably, but they 

 have neither the wind, speed, or bottom of the lighter and more 

 active breeds. 



AS A BEEF ANIMAL. 



We give an excellent portrait of a three years (past) prize ox, 

 exhibited, some years ago, at the Smithficld market, in London, 



