THE UNITED KINGDOM. 199 



THE LONG HORN. 



The Longhorn a century ago held an eminent position among our 

 British breeds of cattle in niauy of our northern English counties, and 

 was liberally distributed over Erin's green isle. They have long been 

 on the wane, and their reputation, which had given Bakewell, the orig- 

 inator of the breed, years of anxious study, has passed away more rapidly 

 than acquired; given way to animals possessing earlier maturity, milk- 

 ing and grazing properties in a greater degree than the once popular 

 Long-horn. 



Some spirited efforts have been made for years past by enterprising 

 men and ardent admirers of this once-famed breed to restore them to 

 public notice and patronage, and the result is that some splendid indi- 

 vidual specimens are brought forward at our great meetings. The Royal 

 Agricultural Society of England and Christmas shows encourage the 

 breed by oifering prizes for them, and they certainly attract more than 

 an average share of attention from young farmers and sight-seers. The 

 ponderous horns and peculiar and uncommon color, white streak down 

 the back, a broader one on the belly, with dingy gray or mixed brown and 

 white center pieces, and clothed with water-dog hair, render them very 

 attractive. They give very rich milk, and formerly were good dairy 

 cows. They attain considerable weight when fully matured, which 

 takes at least four years. The beef is very firm and good, but not evenly 

 distributed, and is wrapped in a thick valuable hide. They possess a 

 strong, hardy constitution, and although confined in narrow limits, it is 

 to be hoped those energetic patrons of the old breed may be successful 

 in their efforts to reinstate them in all their former glories, with such, 

 modifications and improvements as will render it worthy of public notice 

 and more extensive patronage. 



Many of Mr. Bake well's followers succeeded well with the breed by con- 

 tinually hiring bulls from Mr. Bakewell. One of the earliest and most 

 distinguished adherents was Mr. Fowler, near Oxford, whose herd was 

 sold off in the year 1791, when the following prices were realized, viz: 

 Bull, five years old, was sold for 215 ; bull, two years old, for 220.10; 

 bull, one year old, 210; bull, aged, for 215. Four cows realized 

 215, 273, 120, and 195, respectively. 



Pounds 



Average dead weight of steer, four years old 800 



Average dead weight of heifer, four years old 720 



Average dead weight of cow, aged 800 



Milk :" 



Animal yield 3,000 



To pound of butter 22 



To pound of cheese 9 



Soil. Deep loam on limestone. 

 Climate. Mean temperature, 49.C. 



THE AYRSHIRE. 



The Ayrshire ranks amongst the best cattle for dairy purposes. It 

 has few equals, but it is not held in high estimation as a beef beast, be- 

 ing small and not that kindly animal that graziers like to meet with ; 

 still they are good feeders when dry. They have an extensive circle of 

 admirers in their own native home and surrounding counties. They are 

 a hardy race, and are bred exclusively for dairy uses. Their Ayrshire 

 home on the Clyde and near the Irish sea consists of moorland, hills, 

 and in some parts undulating surface of common clay j the hills are 



