PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 179 



graded up with this breed. Their color ranges from the 

 blood red to the pure white. Owing to their generally 

 valuable characteristics, they more nearly approach the 

 general purpose animal than any other breed, though 

 the Red Polled and Devon are also included in this 

 classification. 



Beef Breeds. The chief distinctive beef breeds are 

 the Herefords, Galloways, and Aberdeen, or Polled Angus ; 

 though, as already stated, certain families of the Short- 

 horn are bred exclusively for beef. 



Hereford. Hereford cattle originated in Hereford- 

 shire and adjoining counties in England ; they are highly 

 regarded there, and have also met with great favor in 

 the United States. The usual color is a rich, light or 

 dark red, with white face, throat, and chest. The use 

 of the Hereford for crossing with other breeds is not 

 usually attended with as good results as are secured 

 from the use of the Shorthorn. 



Galloway. The Galloway is a polled breed, and de- 

 rived its name from the province of Galloway in Scot- 

 land. The color is universally black, and the hair long 

 and shaggy. This breed has proved extremely valuable 

 for the Western ranges. The animals are easily accli- 

 mated, active, and hardy. 



Aberdeen Angus. These are also hornless, and re- 

 semble the Galloway in color and form, though they are 

 somewhat less hardy and mature earlier. 



Breeds of Sheep. The Merino, Southdown, Shrop- 

 shire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Cotswold, Leicester, Lin- 

 coln, and Horned Dorset are the leading breeds. 



Merinos. These now include many distinct strains. 



