HO POLLED DURHAM CHARACTERISTICS. 



three were bulls, and the one heifer had scurs; and as no 

 grade bulls were used, the two years' work went for naught. 



No scale of points has ever been adopted for the breed; 

 but the aim of the breeders has ever been to approximate 

 the Shorthorn type as closely as possible; in the evolution 

 of the breed, the milking properties have been fairly well 

 developed, and the breed is entitled to rank as a dual purpose 

 one, and is judged accordingly. 



Scale has ever been considered a prime requisite in the 

 breed, and the same size and weight for age as in Short- 

 horns should be looked for. The form should be deep, wide 

 and low set, with strong spring of rib, wide loin, straight 

 top-line, a long, level rump, and deep, well-fleshed thighs, 

 and a well filled twist. The shoulders are often inclined to 

 coarseness, and special attention should be paid to this, for 

 a smooth, compact shoulder, blending nicely into the body, 

 is a desirable feature in any beef animal. In cows a large 

 udder, carried well up behind, and blending smoothly into the 

 belly in front, is desired. The teats should be of convenient 

 size and well placed; and the milk veins large, tortuous, and 

 branching, entering the body by large milk wells. Cows that 

 are in milk cannot be expected to show the same depth of 

 flesh that should characterize the beef-bred animal when in 

 high condition, but natural flesh should always be present, 

 particularly in the regions of valuable cuts. 



The head should be broad, moderately short, with a rather 

 broad, rounding poll, without any indication of scurs; and the 

 neck should be short, full, and blending smoothly into the 

 shoulders. The differences due to sex should, of course, be 

 present; they are precisely the same as in Shorthorn cattle, 

 save for the absence of horns. 



