61 



cattle are not usually regarded as quickly maturing but their 

 records at Sraithfield compare favourably with those of other breeds 

 and their reputation as graziers' cattle is shown by the extensive 

 and regular flow of store cattle from Wales to the rich grazino- 

 lands of the Midlands where the Welsh " Runts " have for genera^ 

 tians been held in high esteem. The cattle are on the whole 

 somewhat lacking in symmetry but are improving in this respect ; 

 they "kill" well, yielding a higher percentage of carcase than 

 might be expected from their appearance, and the beef is of first 

 class quality. Generally speaking, the cows are good milkers and 

 the milk is of about average composition. 



Welsh Black cattle have been much improved by selection within 

 the last quarter of a century, but their constitutional vigour has not 

 been impaired by excessive in-and-in breeding as in the case of 

 some other breeds. Their hardiness and other good qualities single 

 them out as belonging to a type of general purpose animal that 

 would suit the pioneer settler in a new country, for the oxen were 

 for generations as noted in the yoke as the cow was at the milk- 

 pail and the " runt " as a producer of prime beef. At one period 

 Welsh oxen were in such great demand for draught purposes that 

 they were specially bred with this in view, and it has been suggested 

 that this accounts for two of the most common defects of the breed 

 not yet quite eradicated the heavy shoulder, and the tendency to 

 light hindquarters. 



The breed has been tried with success in America and a few 

 animals have been exported to South Africa, where their hardiness 

 of constitution has enabled them to resist conditions unfavourable to 

 other breeds. 



General Appearance. The colour is black, though a little white 

 on the udder or in front of the scrotum is allowed. The presence 

 of much white is regarded with disfavour, as being an indication of 

 Shorthorn blood. As in the case of other black breeds, the winter 

 coat has usually a dull brown tinge, particularly in young animals. 

 There is a good deal of variation in different animals as regards 

 horn. In all, the horns are strong and well developed naturally 

 more so in the bulls than in the cows. Some show the long 

 drooping incurved character of many Longhorns but more commonly 

 they are similar to those of typical Herefords, Sussex or Devons. 



WELSH CLASSES AT THE SMITHFIELD SHOW, 1902-1911. 

 (^Average Ages, Live Weights, and Daily Increases. 



