WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE. 79 



V. They have a beautiful appearance when in 

 finest bloom, which is during the last three months 

 of the year, owing 



(1) To the sturdy character of the frame. 



(2) To the wild piercing glance of the eye, and 



(3) To the long shaggy coat which grows so abundantly, 

 especially about the head and neck. 



LEADING CHARACTERISTICS. 



I. Popularity. 



(1) West Highland cattle have as yet but little popularity 

 outside of Great Britain, since 



(2) They have been but little exported to other countries. 



II. Adaptability. 



(1) Their incomparable hardihood and their fine grazing 

 qualities adapt them to mountainous conditions, cold and 

 bleak, where many other breeds could not subsist. 



(2) There should be a place for them on the mountain 

 pastures of both the eastern and western states. 



III. Relative size. 



(1) They are considerably the smallest of the distinctive 

 beef breeds, but 



(2) They weigh well in proportion to their size, owing to 

 their sturdiness of build. 



IV. Early maturing qualities. 



(1) They are not good, owing to the conditions to which 

 they are subjected, but 



(2) Under improved conditions of environment these 

 would also improve. 



V. Grazing qualities. 



(1) These are of a hierh order, as they are contented with 

 the coarsest fare, and ultimately get fat where more tender 

 breeds could scarcely exist. 



(2) They are well capable of enduring both damp and 

 cold, and 



(3) Their staying powers are almost without limit, hence 

 they can travel far in gathering food. 



(4) In winter they frequently eat heather and furze, and 

 when taken south they fatten on pastures from which the best 

 portions have been eaten. 



