402 THE DEVONSHIRE CATTLE. 



The Devonshire cattle arrive at maturity sooner 

 than most other breeds; and the full-grown animals 

 are so valuable, that few of the Calves are killed. 

 For usefulness in agricultural labours, the Oxen 

 are held in the highest estimation. They are well 

 fitted for draught, both as to hardiness and activity. 



The average quantity of butter produced by the 

 Cows is from 'seven to ten pounds per week, though 

 some have been known to yield as much as thir- 

 teen or fourteen. They have not usually been con- 

 sidered as excellent dairy stock ; but some years 

 ago, Mr. Conyers, the proprietor of a large dairy 

 at Epping, was induced to make a trial of them, 

 and for this purpose purchased twenty-four Heifers 

 and two Bulls. <>His experiment succeeded so well, 

 that he has since more than doubled the number of 

 his Cows; and many of the Essex farmers, and 

 others, have followed his example. The price of 

 a Cow and Calf is from nine to about fifteen 

 pounds. 



In excellence of beef the Devonshire Oxen can 

 scarcely be exceeded ; and it is a remarkable cir- 

 cumstance, that they will bear driving to London, 

 sometimes without the smallest waste, from a dis- 

 tance of considerably more than a hundred miles. 

 Their skin is reckoned among the thinner classes; 

 but it improves much in tanning. The tallow is of 

 peculiarly good quality. 



The animals of this breed are scattered over the 

 counties of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall ; but 



are 



