210 THE CATTLE OP GREAT BRITAIN. 



good grazing young beasts and those ready for tlie feeder's 

 stalls will probably for some years prove to be a profitable 

 pursuit — as times go — for farmers in our breeding districts, 

 whatever the breed of cattle they raise, provided they be of the 

 requisite quality. Few districts are so suitable as Anglesea for 

 stock raising; few cattle so highly prized for the quality of 

 their meat, or thrive so well on good English pastures as the 

 black cattle of North "Wales. They are hardy, and "may be 

 reared at little expense. For some time to come — at least as 

 long as the present aspect of things remains — the farmers of 

 North and South Wales who breed the native cattle will not 

 have cause to regret any attention they may bestow on im- 

 proving the native stock. And although their farmyards are 

 generally ill-constructed, and deficient in requisite accommoda- 

 tion for feeding purposes, the farmers may become somewhat 

 more reconciled to their position with the increased demand for 

 their cattle consequent on the relinquishment of breeding else- 

 where, and the scarcity of healthy animals throughout the 

 country. 



Black stock in Wales are always readily bought up by the 

 drovers who frequent the fairs in the districts where black 

 cattle are a speciality. They can be disposed of, half fat, at a 

 pound or two a head more than coloured beasts of the same 

 weight. Whilst this continues, it is some inducement to the 

 local breeders to keep to the type and colour of their beasts — 

 especially for those who have not the proper farm buildings for 

 stall-feeding all their oxen and selling them only as prime 

 fat. 



The Anglesea cattle are now cultivated to equal perfection 

 in Carnarvonshire and some parts of the adjoining counties, as 

 in the "mother" isle; and diminutives of this breed are the 

 principal stock of the mountainous districts of Carnarvon and 

 Merioneth. They offer good sound material for development. 

 Bakewell, it is said, thought highly of them in this respect. 

 The Eev. Walter Davies naively remarks that this eminent 

 breeder thought that "in some points they were nearer his idea 

 of perfection in shape than any other he ever saw, his own 

 improved breed excepted." But they cannot be improved by 

 <5iossing with English breeds. They will not blend with foreign 



