76 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



KERRY CATTLE. 



THIS breed originated in the county of Kerry, Ireland. As they have some points 

 which may be interesting to the farmer to examine, we submit the following con 

 cerning them from the pen of an English writer, who, as it will appear, is to some 

 extent a breeder also. 



Description. &quot; The characteristic points of the breed are unmistakably well marked. 

 The size is small. The legs, in most cases, are very short in proportion to the size of the 

 body. The head is somewhat small, though the muzzle is rather long and clean. The lips 

 are thin. The expression of the countenance is pleasing, and the eye is particularly clear* 

 and fairly prominent. A symptom which is most indicative of purity of the breed is the 

 turn-up of the horn, which is of medium length. Occasionally, however, the horn will, 

 after turning up, turn backwards. The nicety of the horn and the manner in which it is 

 set on adds immensely to the style. The neck is not massive at the juncture with the 

 head, but it thickens gradually, and affords reasonable covering to the shoulders. The latter 

 are flat and thin. The dorsal vertebrae rise more than in other cattle, which sometimes gives 

 the back an irregular appearance. The ribs spring well, especially the last, or those approach 

 ing the hip; this makes the body very compact. The loins are of medium width, and the 

 hip not prominent. The distance between the hip and the setting on of the tail is not con 

 siderable; the latter hangs neatly, and is well concealed by the adjoining bones. The chest is 

 full and deep, and the hind -quarters long, but rather light. The favorite color is black; 

 though black-and-white, brown, and red are by no means uncommon. The coat is invariably 

 fine and thick, and the hide elastic and mellow, showing great capacity for the production of 

 flesh and fat. 



The disposition to fatten is likewise a remarkable peculiarity in the breed ; it must, how 

 ever, be understood that they take a pretty long time to come to full maturity. At the age 

 of three or four years we find them in the market, killing about 3 cwt. of beef; though, as 

 a rule, the fattening as distinct from dairying, is not carried out to any appreciable extent. 

 The prevailing custom is to milk for some years, and, subsequently endeavor to put into con 

 dition for the butcher. Very few male animals are reared, except those intended for breed 

 ing. If a person were to travel the entire length of the kingdom of Kerry, he would 

 probably not see a dozen bullocks of the native race. In fattening, the animals thrive with 

 great rapidity on artificial food. The beef is well marbled, and for flavor and tenderness is 

 not excelled by that of any other breed. We have known some of the nobility to put them 

 selves to much inconvenience in order to secure a round of well-fed Kerry beef for special 

 occasions. Bearing all this in mind, it is surprising that more attention is not bestowed on 

 the propagation of the breed. Some years ago it was suggested that a society or company 

 should be formed, with the object of improving and spreading the animals in suitable locali 

 ties; but the suggestion has not yet been acted upon. Should such a body be formed, the 

 breed could, unquestionably, be carried to a very high state of perfection. 



It is, as already observed, the hardy constitution of the Kerry that most enhances its 

 value; for dairy purposes especially a remunerative yield is obtained on what would be to 

 other animals starvation fare. In the depth of the winter season I have not only known 

 the animals to live jumping from rock to rock, and from cliff to cliff, picking a coarse, scanty 

 bite from amidst the snow-clad mountains, but, with very small additional keep at the farm 

 steading, whither they come to be milked morning and evening, to actually thrive under the 

 circumstances. The hair is thick, but fine and long provision of nature typical of cold latitudes. 



What, however, is far more singular in the constitution of the breed, is the readiness 

 with which it adapts itself to circumstances of a wholly reverse character. In acclimating 

 breeds of cattle, sheep, or pigs, the transition must be gradual; but with the Kerry we have had 



