LECTURE XIV. 



HEREFORD CATTLE. 



Introduction Into America. 



While various reports exist of some very early importa- 

 tions, the first authentic knowledge we have of any Here- 

 fords in America dates to the year 1817, when Henry Clay, 

 of Ashland, Kentucky, imported on the same ship that 

 brought over Col. Sanders' importation of Shorthorn cattle, 

 two pair of Hereford cattle. One bull died enroute, but Mr. 

 Clay placed the three remaining one bull and two cows 

 in the hands of one of the best farmers in Kentucky. They 

 were bred for several years, but no more were brought over 

 at this time, and it was soon necessary to branch out to 

 avoid inbreeding. The consequence was that Shorthorn bulls 

 were used on the stock, and the Hereford blood, like the 

 Longhorn, was soon lost in the flood of Shorthorn blood 

 which, a short time later, swept over Kentucky. The pres- 

 ance of this alloy blood was one factor which caused many 

 Shorthorn breeders to object to cattle which traced back to 

 the "Seventeen" stock. 



A few years after Henry Clay's importation some small 

 importations were made to Massachusetts, and among these 

 was the bull Sir Isaac, presented to some Massachusetts par- 

 ties by Admiral Coffin, of the British navy. These importa- 

 tions, however, were soon lost in the general stock of the 

 country. 



The first importation which was of any permanent im- 

 port was made by Wm. Henry Sotham in 1840. Mr. Sotham 

 was English born and was thoroughly familiar with the breed 

 in its native counties. He had done some very successful 

 work in America as a stock buyer, and managed to enlist 

 the aid of the Hon. Erastus Corning, of New York state. The 



