6 AGRICULTURE. 



provement has perhaps not been so rapid as that of the new 

 breeds, but they did not start from so low a point of de- 

 gradation. Nor should it be forgotten that they occupy 

 districts below the average of the kingdom in fertility. 

 On the whole, they have maintained the contest for supe- 

 riority with various success a success regulated perhaps 

 at times by fashion and caprice, but resulting on the whole 

 in good judgment and truth.* 



We should now, perhaps, be in condition to estimate the 

 results of a struggle which has continued for more than 

 half a century. But before we can pronounce even a 

 qualified opinion, we must have a very clear perception 

 of the principles on which a decision ought to be founded. 

 The real and only question for the farmer is, what breed 

 of cattle will, year by year, yield me the largest money 

 return per acre, or per given quantity of various sorts of 

 food consumed by them ? And this question is not settled 

 by saying, Taken 10 tons of short-horns and 10 tons of 

 Devons ; 50 tons of food of equal quality were consumed 

 by each lot ; the short-horns gave beef as 21 to 19, or vice 

 versa. 1st. We must know the respective histories of 

 each 10 tons ; we must have a debtor and creditor account 

 of each up to the time of weighing in. The one may have 

 credit for services in the dairy, the other for services in 

 the team ; or the creditor side may be blank in the case of 

 either or both. We must here consider the breeder and 

 the feeder as one man. Before we can answer the question 



* A split has arisen in the Herefords, of which we cannot explain the 

 origin, but which we regret, though we cannot say that it has produced 

 any detei'ioration. The difference, though small, is decided, and the 

 respective parties are of course very positive. The general Hereford is 

 an animal with a white face, upward horns, and a tawny side. The 

 animal of the offset has a speckled face, generally a broad white stripe 

 down his back, and shorter legs and more horizontal horns than his 

 relative. Of the speckled-faced Herefords, the late Mr. Price, Earl 

 Talbot, and Sir F. Lawley have been the most distinguished breeders. 

 The contest between speckled-face and white-face is not worth carrying 

 on. 



" Facies non omnibus una 

 Nee diversa tamen, qualis decet esse sororura." 



