138 THE CATTLE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



they form an ornamental and highly-interesting feature in the 

 parks of noblemen and large landed proprietors. 



The largest herd is that of his G-race the Duke of Buckingham 

 at Stowe, numbering at the present time nearly 100 head ; they 

 are directly descended from the Bakewell, Canley, EoUright, and 

 some of the purest old Warwickshire families. The herd is of 

 long standing, and has been bred with great care and judgment. 

 Animals from this herd have frequently distinguished them- 

 selves in the show yard. They come to hand mellow to the touch. 

 The skin, though thick, is covered with a profusion of rich, soft 

 hair ; the rib is well sprung, chine broad, shoulders well placed, 

 barrel round and deep, the general appearance in unison, denoting 

 a healthy and vigorous constitution. They are moderate milkers, 

 and, as a rule, shy breeders. They are longer in arriving at 

 maturity than the improved Shorthorn ; consequently they give 

 a less return for the quantity of food they consume. By a 

 careful selection of breeding animals with a view to early 

 maturity the Longhorn might yet regain much of their ancient 

 popularity. We have seen the effect produced by a cross with 

 the Longhorn bull on the cross-bred dairy cows of the country 

 We would much like to see a cross between a good pure-bred 

 Shorthorn bull and a Longhorn cow ; such a cross could hardly 

 fail to produce a superior animal, at least for the purposes of the 

 graziers. At the shows of many of the leading Agricultural 

 Societies, where there is no separate class for Longhonis, they 

 are placed at great disadvantage by being compelled to compete 

 with other established breeds; the system of comparing the 

 merits of 'totally distinct races of animals, each of which is 

 specially called to fulfil widely different purposes, is always a 

 difficult and generally disappointing calculation. 



Mr. Legh, of Lyme Hall, Cheshire ; Mr. Shaw, of Fradley ; 

 Mr. J. German, Mr. Burbery, Mr. Godfrey, and Mr. Hall are ail 

 owners of small herds. They are no longer held in estimation 

 for the purpose of crossing with other breeds, or for use in the 

 dairy. Their hardy character well adapts them to high and 

 exposed situations, yet they have failed to attract the attention 

 of the cattle kings and great ranche owners of the Far West, in 

 whose hands they might prove of some value. 



