

THE BEST BREEDS OF DAIRY CATTLE. 25 



about udder and abdomen well developed ; the teats from 2 ins. to 2\ ins 

 in length, equal in thickness, the thickness being in proportion to the length, 

 hanging perpendicularly ; their distance apart at the sides should be equ?) 

 to about one-third of the length of the vessel, and across to about one-half 

 of the breadth (33 points). 



7. Legs short in proportion to size, the bones fine, the joints firm 

 (3 points). 



8. Skin soft and elastic, and covered with soft, close, woolly hair 

 (5 points). 



9. Colour red, of any shade ; brown or white, or a mixture of these, each 

 colour being distinctly defined. Brindle or black-and-white are not in 

 favour (3 points). 



10. Average live weight in full milk, about roj cwt. (8 points). 



11. General appearance, including style and movement (10 points). 

 Total, 100 points. 



Red Polled Cattle. 



This breed is believed to be essentially and originally a 

 native of Norfolk and Suffolk, but is now to be found in many 

 counties and countries. The origin of the breed is involved in 

 some obscurity, but there is no doubt of its ancient character. 

 If the Ayrshires are pugnacious, the Red Polls provide us with 

 a contrast, for they are among the most docile of cattle. How 

 far this docility may be owing to the absence of horns it is not 

 easy to say ; but at all events cattle that have horns have some- 

 thing to fight with, and .know it. The Red Polls, unlike the 

 Black Polls of Scotland, are certainly good milkers, and entitled 

 to a position among the half-dozen of our best dairy breeds, 

 They are also good graziers, though not equal in this respect to 

 the Shorthorns, Herefords, or the two breeds of Scotch Polled 

 cattle. 



The popularity of the Red Polls has greatly increased, 

 or rather extended, in recent years. In their native counties 

 they have been thought much of during a long period of time, 

 and it must be admitted that as a breed they are amongst the 

 most desirable of our bovine possessions. Some writers have 

 surmised that the breed is at all events partly Scotch : and 

 when we reflect that red was a common colour in bygone times 

 among the polled cattle of Scotland, and that large numbers of 



