DEVON CATTLE. 165 



effected by a number of persons working simultane- 

 ously and more or less in concert. 



(1) Prominent among the early improvers stand the names 

 of Francis Quartly of Champson, Holland ; John T. Davy of 

 Rose Ash ; Walter Farthing of Stowey Court, Bridgewater ; 

 and the Earl of Leicester of Holkham, Leicestershire. 



(2) In several instances Devons have been bred in the 

 same families for at least 150 years. 



V. The high prices paid for meat early in the 

 century, while the wars with France continued, 

 tempted many breeders to part with their best 

 animals. 



(1) This led to a lowering of the average standard of 

 excellence in many herds, but 



(2) The equilibrium has again been restored, largely 

 through the establishment of agricultural societies and the 

 demand for good breeding stock. 



VI. Devon cattle were early distinguished as 

 North and South Devon respectively, the latter 

 variety being also known as South Hams and Som- 

 ersets. 



(1) The North Devon was the smaller variety, their coat 

 was softer and more curly, and they were more distinguished 

 for their fleshing properties. 



(2) The South Devons, supposed to contain a dash of 

 Guernsey blood, were of larger size and of coarser appear- 

 ance, and were more distinguished for milk production. 



(3) These have been so intercrossed in many instances 

 as to obliterate the distinguishing marks of the two classes. 



VII. Exportation to the United States. 



(1) The first well authenticated importation of Devon 

 cattle was made into the United States by Robert Patterson of 

 Baltimore, Md., in 1817. 



(2) They came from the herd of the Earl of Leicester, 

 Holkham, and a very large number of the Devons now in the 

 United States trace to this importation. 



(3) From 1817 onward, importations have been frequent 

 until quite recently. 



VIII. Exportation to other countries. 



(i) Devons were imported somewhat freely into Ontario, 

 Can., shortly after the middle of the century, but they have 

 not prevailed to any considerable extent in that country. 



