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England prefer them, as fatting beasts, to the short horns.* This 

 may be mere prejudice, for what class of men, and, in respect to 

 many subjects, what men are free from prejudices ? My observa 

 tion inclines me to the belief, that, in equal numbers, there are as 

 many good Herefords as short horns ; and the thriftiness of many 

 of them is quite remarkable. A large proportion of the short 

 horns stand too high, and have too long legs. The Herefords 

 are not exempt from this fault, but have less of it ; but they lack 

 substance and breadth behind. In respect to handling, observ 

 ing persons know that, in this matter, there is every diversity 

 among animals of the same breed, and that it is rather the char 

 acteristic of individuals than of a tribe ; but I may hazard the 

 general remark, that, as a breed, few animals handle better than 

 the Hereford. I heard from some individuals very much in favor 

 of their milking qualities, but from, these persons, though a long 

 time owners of the stock, I could get no authenticated state 

 ments. The answer to my inquiries always was, that they 

 kept no exact accounts, but knew their cows were excellent 

 milkers, and gave a very large yield. The habit of praising 

 our cows is, in most cases, very much like men s habits of 

 thought in regard to their children. In this matter, the geese of 

 most men are swans. In general, the Herefords rank low as 

 dairy animals, and are considered inferior. This is the general 

 impression; as such I give it. Public opinion is not always 

 well founded, and I shall leave to others to determine, in this 

 case, what value to attach to it. 



(3.) The Devons. The Devons, taking their name from 

 the beautiful county of Devonshire, where they are principally 

 found, are of two kinds, the North and the South Devons. The 

 North Devons are a comparatively small race of animals, with 

 long and beautifully-turned horns, of a deep red color, short- 

 legged, and compactly built, exhibiting, to my eye, the perfection 

 of form and symmetry, with soft, silky coats, and with hair in 



* Upon reading the above, a very intelligent and experienced salesman informs 

 me that, although the very best Herefords command as good prices as formerly, 

 yet the ordinary Herefords which come to market are very hard of sale, and are 

 the least esteemed beasts which appear at Smithfield. This he considers attrib 

 utable to some mistake in their breeding, or to breeding too long in near affinity 



