150 CATtLE AlSfiD DAIRY FARMING. 



have not now and then found it beneficial (we speak of the past) to 

 have recourse to other breeds for improvement. 



There appears to be a tradition that at one time the race was horned, 

 but it is certain, however, that those who have pretended to keep it 

 pure have at all times abolished every trace of horn, and declined to 

 use animals for stock which had this apparent blemish, and one which 

 was considered a certain sign of impurity. It is believed at the present 

 day that there is far less sign of horn even in the most incipient stage 

 in the Galloway race than there is in either the Eed Poll or the Angus. 



It has been stated repeatedly that the Galloway is a more vigorous, 

 lusty, and hardy beast than any other variety, inclusive of the Welsh and 

 the West Highland ; that it exceeds the Welsh in these respects there 

 can be no doubt, but we do not think it is quite so hardy as the West 

 Highland, the coat of which enables it to bravo the weather at all sea- 

 sons of the year better than any of our native breeds. Again, the breed 

 has often been charged with coarseness on account of the thickness of 

 its skin; but it must be remembered that the breeders, while endeavor- 

 tug to improve the quality of flesh by every means in their power, have 

 studiously retained a certain thickness of skin which they have justly 

 considered to be consistent with their hardiness, so that in reality it is 

 one of the principles of the breeders of the Galloways to combine, as far 

 as possible, quality of flesh with a tolerable thickness of skin, and it is 

 somewhat remarkable that in this they have succeeded; for, excepting 

 in the thinnest skinned beast which is much less hardy, there is no ani- 

 mal more mellow to the touch or full of quality. They also endeavor to 

 retaip, as far as it is possible for them to do so, a thick coat with rather 

 long hair, for, although they do not inhabit a district so wild or so high 

 and bleak as the West Highland breed, that portion of the south of 

 Scotland and north of England is by no means well protected from the 

 weather and the winds even in valleys. In some parts they are placed 

 on the hills, which, as is well known, are bleak and exposed in the 

 extreme, and there they appear to thrive uncommonly well, and to oc- 

 cupy ground from which it is not likely they will be displaced by any 

 other native breed, unless the West Highland should be introduced, 

 which is most unlikely. 



It has often been remarked by foreign buyers visiting the Galloway 

 district that they could not have believed it possible to maintain, in 

 such great perfection, many of the herds of high-bred Galloways which 

 they have seen, in these cold and elevated regions (sometimes 1,500 

 feet above the sea), where nothing is found but the famous mountain 

 sheep of the country, and decidedly miserable fare, for the crops culti- 

 vated are necessarily few and poor. Again, notwithstanding the fact 

 that the winters are most severe, it is frequently the case that the Gal- 

 loway is entirely kept out of doors ; occasionally an open shed is erected 

 for them to shelter themselves when they choose, but as a general rule 

 they have to rely for protection upon that which nature affords, some- 

 times being assisted with a little hay, which is usually carried to them 

 when snow is upon the ground or when the frost is severe. It is stated 

 by Mr. Gillespie that, this system is pursued, not because of the expense 

 or trouble, but because the farmers believe that they are able to stand 

 the winter with ease and to grow much better during the following sum- 

 mer than if wintered under cover. 



Young beasts of from 1J to 2 years old are often sold in the markets 

 at 25 to 30 each, never having been sheltered since they were weaned. 

 This vigor is not solely the characteristic of the adult beast, for when a 

 cow calves in the open, in severe weather, the calf itself does not ap 



