THE SHORT-HORNS. 163 



less feeder for his weight. There may be truth in this, as he is 

 less active, and more inclined to take his rest, than the lighter 

 breeds, which are less sluggish in their habits. All these ques- 

 tions are of great consideration with the breeder or grazier, who 

 rears stock for market. A quick return for capital and food, is 

 the object, and that animal which gives it in the shortest time, is 

 always preferred. Hence one decided advantage of the short- 

 horn. 



THE PROPER HOMES OF THE SHORT-HORNS. 



There is a question, however, with him who breeds or grazes 

 the short-horn that must be considered, notwithstanding his apti- 

 tude for early maturity. They must have abundant feed and 

 good pasturage. Broken lands, with short grasses, do not so 

 well suit them. Level, or gently undulating soils, with luxu-. 

 riant grasses upon them, suit them better. We have immense 

 tracts of lean and hungry soils, with scanty herbage, where we 

 would not recommend the short-horn to go, and where some of 

 the smaller breeds, as the Devon, Highland, and Galloway, will 

 thrive and prove profitable; and for such lands they should be 

 preferred. 



Some have objected to the short-horns as unfitted for a cold 

 climate. That objection has proved of little weight. Northern 

 England, and the adjoining counties of southern Scotland, have 

 produced, and improved them in their highest perfection, and 

 the latitudes of America, from 41/-J to 45 north, equally as well, 

 under good winter protection, as the milder temperatures of Ohio, 

 Illinois, or Kentucky. The soil and feeding does the work, 

 not the climate, provided the latter be temperate, and proper 

 shelter in the inclement seasons be afforded. For near fifty 

 years, in the better sections of what are considered the compara- 

 tive sterile and cold New England States, the short-horn has 

 lived and flourished more rapidly of late than ever and 

 been successfully introduced into the north-eastern British Prov- 



