613 BREEDING BEEF CATTLE. 



mixed. American butchers always prefer the Devons when they can 

 be obtained. In the Southern States the Devon is the breed preferred 

 to all others. They endure the climate favorably. They take food 

 rapidly and easily, and they are more exempt from disease than 

 some other stock. 



THE WEST HIGHLAND cattle are considered very desirable in the 

 English markets, and bring quite an amount more for their beef 

 than ordinary breeds. This animal lays on flesh well in the desir- 

 able parts, and the fat and lean are mixed to great advantage. In 

 his native country his high feeding commences at about three years. 

 He has good summer pasture, with an allowance of meal and roots, 

 and in winter is given plenty of straw; at four he is fit for the 

 market. The fact that the Highland cattle have realized so well in 

 their own country, and have such a high price as a food article when 

 converted into beef, and their adaptation to cold and narrow food, 

 makes them very valuable for the northern latitudes of the United 

 States. The bulls have a decided prepotency, and transmit to their 

 offspring when crossed with other breeds the same tendencies to 

 flesh and hardihood that they themselves possess. This is an ex- 

 ceedingly desirable breed to be crossed with our native stock. 



THE LONG-HORN is a good beef animal; he feeds well, and 

 makes good returns from the butcher's flock; he is easy to handle, 

 his skin has an elastic touch, and his tallow is good. 



THE HEREFORD is a superior beef animal; at three or four years 

 having had proper care, he is prepared for slaughter. In England, 

 this beast has a great reputation as a true one for the grazier to 

 keep. In the American Agriculturist, A. B. Allen says: " As fat 

 cattle the Herefords have lately held a sharp rivalry with the Short- 

 horns, and their beef is in high favor in the London markets. We 

 think the stock at Albany would compare favorably with the best 

 we have met of this breed in England. We found these cattle to 

 excel particularly in the brisket and loin, two very important points 

 in all animals destined for the butchers; and being of great consti- 

 tution and hardy, they make most excellent grazing cattle." The 

 Herefords have been introduced in the West, and are found to cross 

 well in native stock, and with Texan blood. It is a good beef -pro- 

 ducing breed, whether kept closely in-bred or crossed with other 

 blood. It may not mature quite so early as the Short-horn, but the 

 grazier might go further and fare worse when he is looking about 

 for the sort of blood which he desires to introduce into his herd. 



THE GALLOWAY is a good meat-producing breed, and, indeed, this 

 is their main excellence, as they are not good milkers. They are as 

 well-sized as the large common cattle or the country, and mature 

 as early as the Herefords. Galloway bulls have remarkable prepo- 

 tency, and are a desirable cross for native cows. This class are 

 hardy breeders. 



The stock raiser engaged in the production of beef cattle will 

 find it profitable to study the department on " Feeding." 



