316 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



curled and waving lines, in appearance like the most beautiful 

 varied mahogany that ever came from under the plane of the cab 

 inet-maker. They do not attain a large size, but they are so 

 compact, that they weigh heavily for their size, and there is no 

 waste in them. The South Devons are animals of a much 

 larger frame, often coarse-boned, attaining sometimes to a consid 

 erable size, not remarkable for thrift, coming late to maturity, and, 

 in truth, identical with the great mass of cattle to be found in New 

 England. It is but just to say, in respect to the South Devons, 

 that, as far as I could learn, no particular pains have been taken 

 to improve their breed, and to see what could be made of them, 

 as in the case of the short horns, the Herefords, and the North 

 Devons. 



The North Devons are, as a breed, most highly and deservedly 

 esteemed. They have the preference of all other breeds for the 

 yoke, being strong, active, and of great endurance ; add to this, 

 a remarkable docility, and good temper. It. is generally thought 

 that they do not arrive at maturity as early as the short horns or 

 the Herefords ; I do not know that the same pains have been 

 taken to force their progress. An eminent breeder of North 

 Devons contradicts this. He is one of the most experienced 

 farmers in Great Britain ; he has been long accustomed to rear 

 them, and insists that more money can be made from them than 

 from any other breed. Of course, this opinion would not meet 

 universal assent, and would be rejected by the advocates of some 

 of the other breeds; but the long experience of this farmer, and 

 his admirable and successful husbandry in every department, 

 entitle his opinions to great consideration ; and my confidence in 

 him is such, that, in parliamentary language, in a division of the 

 house, I should be strongly inclined to go into the same lobby 

 with him. They are highly esteemed in Smithfield market for 

 the excellence of their meat, and because its size is more agree 

 able, on most tables, than the huge joints of some other breeds. 

 In weight, they are much excelled ; but the opinion of their 

 advocates is, that more meat can be made from them with the 

 same amount of feed. Of their dairy properties I shall speak 

 presently.* 



* A fine example is given of this stock, in the frontispiece to my Fourth Re 

 port, vol. i. p. 285. 



