50 



DOMESTIC ANIiLVLS. 



[Chap. I. 



bold as a rule. It is therefore very important to select good cows, and keep 

 none but good cows — certainly never breed from a poor one. 



We sliall now give some important facts relative to other branches of neat 

 stock. And first we refer the reader to the following facts concerning bulls 

 of various breeds. 



57. The Ayrshire Biilh — In comparing this with those of other. breeds, it 

 should be borne in mind that the Ayrshires are not bred for beef, in their 

 own country, as much as they are for dairy purposes. For working o.xcn, 

 they arc of fair qualfty, but not the best. For feeding purposes, they should 

 be crossed with Durhams. 



" It is the opinion of good breeders, that a high-bred short-horn bull and 

 a large-sized Ayrshire cow will produce a calf which will come to maturity 

 earlier, and attain greater weight, and sell for more money, than a pure-bred 

 Ayrshire. This cross, with feeding from the start, may be sold fat at two or 

 three years old, the improvement being especially seen iu the earlier matu- 

 rity and the size." 



58. The Jersey BuUi — So far as beauty is concerned in the sexes, the 

 males of the Jei'sey or Alderuey stock have the largest share. It is a 

 somewhat curious physiological fact, that the Alderuey cows in this country 

 produce two or three times as many bulls as heifers, so that bulls can gener- 

 ally be purchased at lower prices than cows. 



"The bulls are usually very difiereut in character and disposition from 

 the cows, and are much inclined to become restive and cross at the age of 

 three or four j'cars, unless their treatment is uniformly gentle and firm. In 

 all portraits of Jersey bulls, they are represented as handsomer animals 

 than they arc generally considered by American farmers. 



59. Short-horn or Durham Bull. — This breed has been more largely 

 imported and bred from in the United States than an}', in fact all, others. 

 It is the great beef-producing breed of the West, particularly in Ohio and 

 Keutuck}'. 



"The desirable characteristics of the short-horn bull may be summed up, 

 according to the judgment of the best breeders, as follows: He should have 

 a short but fine head, very broad across the eyes, tapering to the nose, Mitli 

 a nostril full and prominent ; the nose itself should be of a vich flesh-color ; 

 eyes bright and mild; ears somewhat large and thin ; horns slightly curved 

 and rather flat, well set on a long, broad, muscular neck ; chest wide, deep, 

 and projecting; shoulders fine, oblique, well formed into the chine; fore 

 legs short, with upper arm large and powerful ; barrel round, deep, well 

 ribbed home; hips wide and level; back straight from the withers to the 

 setting on of the tail, but short from hip to chine ; skin soft and velvety to 

 the touch ; moderately thick liair, plentiful, soft, and mossy." 



This picture gives only a fair impression "of the fine form of the best 

 animals of this breed. 



CO.- The Dutch Bull.— The form of Dutch and Durham bulls is not unlike. 

 W. AV. Chenery, of Watertown, Mass., whose name has since become famous 



