188 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



The breeders put their heifers to the bull at from eighteen months 

 old to two years, and the calves generally run by the side of their dams 

 for several months. The cows are put to the bull at a certain time, so 

 that they may generally come due to calve in the early spring, and to 

 meet the grass ; although some others like the cows to calve about 

 October and November, housing the calves, and keeping them on with 

 a little milk and cake, so as to be strong by the summer. Some breed- 

 ers think that by letting the calves suck the mothers it prevents their 

 coming into season for the bull as early as if they were weaned at once, 

 but from inquiries I have made I find but little difference in it. This 

 is contrary to my own and some other breeders 7 practice, as I have found 

 the cow lies barren, especially Shorthorns, for some months after calv- 

 ing if the calf lies night and day with the dam. Several Hereford- 

 shire breeders are in the habit of giving their calves, at a very early 

 age, good old beans, which should be given whole, and in a few days 

 they begin to crack them after rolling them about in their mouths, and 

 secreting that frothy saliva which seems to be so condusive to a calf's 

 well doing. I have tried the plan and can speak highly of the practice, 

 no food can be better, as beans are peculiarly fitted for forming bone 

 and muscle. 



On the whole, I believe the Hereford breed, as a flesh-forming animal, 

 is second to no breed in the world. The meat itself is equal, when well 

 fed, to the best Scotch or Devon, and every authority proves they do 

 well when imported into other climes. In England it is found that the 

 best grass lands are most calculated for their flesh development, and 

 when tied up, liberally fed, and well cared for, they can hold their own 

 in the show yard against any breed in the country. As dairy cattle 

 the Short-horns beat them, but, taking all things into consideration, 

 England may well be proud of her white-faced Herefords. 



JOHN KERSLEY FOWLER. 



PREBENDAL FARM, NEAR AYLESBURY, 



January 7, 1884. 



COMPARATIVE MERITS OF BRITISH CATTLE. 



REPORT PREPARED FOR CONSUL DOCKERY, OF LEEDS, BY MR. JOSEPH LAY 

 FAULKNER, VETERINARY SURGEON, SOUTH MILFORD. 



SHORTHORNS. 



In submitting a report of the merits and propensities of our various 

 British breeds of cattle, I will commence iny remarks by giving a brief 

 sketch of the modern history of the Shorthorn, or Durham cattle so 

 termed from the parent stock inhabiting the county of Durham which 

 have special claims upon the attention of both home and foreign breed- 

 ers inasmuch as it has the power of more easily adapting itself to all 

 soils, climates, and circumstances than any other animal of the bovine 

 breed, and contributes a greater weight of prime beef, butter, and cheese 

 to our markets, directly and by their influential crosses, than half a dozen 

 of the other established breeds put together. The combination of their 

 milking and feeding properties fully entitles them to the premiership of 

 the general purpose cattle. If we take London and other great dairies 

 as a criterion of the milking qualities, we have abundant proofs of their 



