2 THE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



The Shorthorns are evidently of very mixed origin, possibly 

 owing some of their merits to foreign blood. They were at firs^ 

 restricted to Yorkshire and Durham, bnt have, from their 

 superior qualities as rent-paying cattle, pushed their way in all 

 directions, and become established wherever climate and soil are 

 sufficiently good. 



Different breeds differ considerably in aptitude to feed, the 

 more cultivated sorts — those which differ most from the original 

 types — are as a rule the quickest feeders. Thick-skinned 

 animals are proverbially slow, although the quality of flesh is 

 good because more compact. The less highly cultivated sorts 

 thrive upon harder keep, and can be kept with a profit when 

 the better sorts would starve. And this to a certain extent 

 limits the utility, and points out the localities best suited for 

 the different breeds. The Shorthorn above all other breeds 

 exercises an influence on quality. Ireland affords the most 

 telling example of this fact. Only a few years ago Irish was a 

 term of reproach as applied to cattle, and the hard-skinned, big- 

 boned mongrels exhibited in our fairs were distinguished at a 

 glance from home-breds. Now, thanks to the prepotency of 

 Shorthorn sires, the best lots of Irish are quite equal in appear- 

 ance, and often higher in price, than good stock bred here. 

 The marvellous change that has been made proves how great 

 the value of good sires, and how important it is to use well-bred 

 and well-shaped animals. But it is not necessary to go to 

 Ireland for examples of Shorthorn influence. Compare the 

 character of the stock in any of our markets now with what it 

 was thirty years since. The change is entirely attributable to 

 the influence of good bulls. 



Whoever travels through the length and breadth of this 

 country cannot but be struck with the general quality of the 

 cattle which everywhere meet his eye, and, if he can look back 

 for thirty or forty years, the progress that has been made will 

 appear in a very favourable light. North, south, east, and west, 

 with few exceptions, it is the same, some counties being better 

 off in this respect than others, those in which the holdings are 

 the largest being the best. Whilst we may well be proud of the 

 progress that has marked the present century, and which has 

 given us up to the present time a leading position as breeders of 



