114 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



Again, another farmer, who used to make 6 each of his grade Shorthorn heifers, 

 makes 16 each off his grade Herefords at the same age. The fact that these men are 

 no breeding enthusiasts, bufc practical American beef-producing farmers, goes along 

 way to show the turn things tire taking in that country. 



Weight and value of Hereford cattle. At the last Smithfield show, 

 Hereford steers in the class under two weighed, first prize, 13| cwt, 

 twenty-two months ; second prize, 14 cwt., twenty-three and one-half 

 months ; and third prize nearly as high. The weights were tolerably 

 even in all the classes. In steers under three, first prize was 17 cwt, 

 at two years seven and one-half months ; second prize, 16J cwt., at two 

 years eight months. In the class under four, first prize weighed 17f 

 cwt., at three years eight months; second prize, 18 J cwt., at three years 

 four months. In heifers, first prize weighed 14^ cwt, at three and one- 

 half years; second prize weighed 17 cwt, at three years two months. 

 The winning cow was 20J .cwt., at eleven and one-third years. 



No particulars of value can be obtained as to the performances of pure 

 Herefords in milk, butter, or cheese. It is not used for draft of any kind, 

 and it is chiefly bred in the west of England, Herefordshire, and Wor- 

 cestershire, although many successful breeders are scattered through- 

 out the country upon all soils. Herefords are driven to all the great 

 midland fairs for farmers, who purchase them largely for fattening. 

 The chief grasses grown are clovers, vetches, and the best perennials. 

 That the Herefords will do well on heavy as well as light land is now 

 admitted. We can point to cases within our own knowledge where 

 at the Christmas markets Herefords brought in to fatten have beaten 

 everything else in realizing top prizes, although in a county where 

 they are comparatively little known. 



Milking qualities of the Herefords. The milking qualities of the Here- 

 fords have no doubt been seriously neglected in the past, and are simi- 

 larly treated by breeders generally at present ; but there is no reason for 

 doubting that as milkers the existing herds show a very considerable 

 improvement. As a rule the Hereford cows, when contrasted with ex- 

 tremely large bulls and oxen, are somewhat small, but is, of course, in no 

 way small as we apply this term to Kerries, Ayrshires, or Channel Islands 

 cattle. The cause of the undevelopment of good milking qualities in all 

 Hereford herds is not far to seek. The soil of the locality which saw 

 the breed originate is admittedly not suited to dairy cattle, conse- 

 quently there is not that attention given to the improvement of the 

 herds as milkers as would be the case were they in a district better 

 suited to further their dairy properties. In its original habitat the 

 custom which prevails is to regard the steers as tlie source of pecuniary 

 profit, and whereas in most other parts it is the general practice to 

 give the females the preference in rearing, it is much more usual for 

 both male and female Hereford calves to be similarly treated, the pref 

 erence being given to the males. This practice largely obtaining is 

 obviously calculated to prove detrimental to milking properties. The 

 outcome of all this is that, as a rule, the Hereford is wanting iii dairy 

 qualifications. But, on the other hand, the exception does not strengthen 

 the rule, even if it proves it, for where pure bred Hereford stock is kept 

 purposely for dairy requirements, where the good milkers are kept, and 

 the bad and indifferent are weeded out, it is soon very obvious to the 

 most prejudiced that high milking qualities are resident in the Hereford. 



(6) SUSSEX CATTLE. 

 Mr. Forster, of Otham, Kent, a well-known breeder, says : 



The Sussex, as a rule, are very poor milkers, giving scarcely, if ever, snfficitmt to 

 rear their own calves, and are worse butter-makers. Their weight, of course, differs 



