382 THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



495. The Shorthorn. The Shorthorn breed originated in 

 northeast England along the river Tees, whose valley has long 

 been noted for its excellent grazing. The development of the 

 modern Shorthorn breed (Fig. 193) began about 1780, when 

 two brothers, Charles and Robert Collings, of England, com- 

 menced the careful selection and mating of breeding-cattle 

 on their farms. Shorthorns were first brought to the United 

 States in 1783 by Gough of Maryland and Miller of Virginia. 



FIG. 192. A typical Hereford cow 



The Shorthorns are the heaviest of the beef breeds. Mature 

 bulls weigh about twenty-three hundred pounds, and mature 

 cows weigh about five hundred pounds less. These cattle have 

 a fine coat of medium-length hair, which may be red, white, roan, 

 or spotted. They have a small, attractive horn from which they 

 receive their name, and are noted for the strong development of 

 their hind quarters. They are a trifle prominent in the shoulder 

 and too long in the leg. Shorthorn cows are better milkers than 

 are the cows of other beef breeds. 



