60 STOCK FARMING. 



by himself, six years old, which had had five calves, a large 

 fat handsome animal, which would have been a prize taker at 

 any English show. He showed also a three-year-old short- 

 horn bull from Lord Ducie's stock, imported last year. The 

 large stock farmers of the West, who are the really monied men, 

 are taking great pains to improve the quality of their cattle 

 by the importation of the best English blood. It is an excel- 

 lent policy, and they are already abundantly reaping the re- 

 ward of their enterprise. For though at this autumnal season, 

 the prairie grass looks coarse and innutritious, a stranger has 

 only to examine the cattle which are fed upon it to convince 

 himself of its feeding qualities. And, as this grass is every- 

 where to be had here for nothing, the grazier consults his own 

 interest by incurring some expense in improving the present 

 breeds of cattle, and thus obtaining earlier maturity, better 

 quality, and quicker returns from his extensive grazings. Of 

 the cattle common to the country there were several specimens 

 exhibited, of enormous size. One red and white ox with wide 

 upturned horns, four and a half years old, measured 2,700 Ib. 

 weight. He handled well, though very strong in the bone 

 and limbs. Another of 2000 Ib. gross weight was reckoned 

 on the spot worth only 14/. at the current price of beef, viz. 

 about 2d. a pound dead weight. 



Mr. Brown has been many years in the country engaged 

 in farming. He farms largely, and believes that more money 

 may be made, and has been made, in this State by stock farm- 

 ing than corn growing. Nor is this remarkable, inasmuch as- 

 grazing land on the prairies hitherto could be had for nothing, 

 costing neither rent nor taxes, while corn land must be bought, 

 enclosed, and cultivated, and labour has hitherto been expen- 

 sive. However, till very recently there was no outlet for corn. 

 Eailways are rapidly altering the former state of things, and 

 Indian corn is no longer unsaleable at 6d. a bushel. He has 



