SELECTING THE BREED 75 



they have become so fixed in type and in the potency 

 of the hornless feature, they have been allowed a 

 name and place as a distinct breed. Animals regis- 

 tered as Polled Durhams, however, are also ad- 

 mitted to the American Shorthorn Herd Book. 

 This family has all the features of the Shorthorn 

 breed except that they are hornless ; this feature be- 

 ing developed through sports and selection. It may 

 be said that this is the only breed of cattle originat- 

 ing in America. Its foundation, however, goes back 

 to England. While they are classed as beef animals, 

 the milking qualities have not been lost sight of and 

 among them are some excellent milkers. As they 

 practically duplicate the "Shorthorns" in dairy ca- 

 pacity, a separate description is unnecessary. 



Red Poll. Hornless or polled cattle have existed 

 in different counties in England from time imme- 

 morial. The modern Red Polled cow in this coun- 

 try is the result of the combination of several strains 

 of polled cattle, and it is the aim of the most pro- 

 gressive breeders to produce a cow of medium size, 

 blood-red in color, of fine bone, compact form, fat- 

 tening easily and giving a fair flow of moderately 

 rich milk. In other words, the "general purpose" 

 cow idea is kept in mind. The breed is compara- 

 tively new. Red Polled cattle resemble the Devons 

 almost as closely as Polled Durhams resemble the 

 Shorthorns, yet the two races are probably not 

 closely related. The Red Polls, however, are some- 

 what larger, and the cows as a rule are better 

 milkers than the Devons. Their meat is fine grained 

 and of high quality. As dairy animals this breed 



