THE BEEF BREEDS OF CATTLE 253 



stitution, uniform popular color and capacity to im- 

 press these characteristics on their offspring. 



289. Uses of Sussex cattle. As the Sussex is pri- 

 marily a beef breed, its milk-giving qualities have not 

 been especially developed. At the same time, the cows, 

 almost without exception, give milk of most excellent 

 quality and, if milked closely, make surprisingly good 

 dairy animals. They fatten when dry more readily, 

 perhaps, than the steers. 



The Sussex has achieved the highest honors " on the 

 scale and the block." The object of the breeders, as a 

 class, revealed by the typical Sussex of to-day, has been 

 to produce the most profitable butcher's beast ; to hasten 

 the period of maturity and improve the quality, without 

 forgetting to preserve these most excellent characteristics 

 of the breed, sound constitution, capacity to rustle, 

 fecundity and prepotency. About 1500 pounds for cows 

 and 2000 pounds for bulls represent the average weights 

 of animals in good breeding condition. The average 

 weight of a well-fatted bullock, twenty-four months old, 

 may be safely put at 1400 pounds. 



The prepotency of Sussex bulls makes them valuable 

 for crossing on native or grade stock, to improve the 

 beefing qualities and ability to graze. They readily 

 stamp their characters on their crosses. 



290. Feeding and care. The breed responds as 

 generously as any to full feeding and care, and thrives 

 on rough and scant pasturage. In cold weather, shelter 

 the lee side of a shed, or wind-shield, or straw-stack, if 

 no better is obtainable is a distinct advantage ; at 

 other seasons, nothing but fair grazing is required. 



291. Distribution. Sussex cattle are not yet widely 

 distributed. Their local habitat is Sussex and the ad- 



