292 SHORTHORN HERDS OF ENGLAND. 



Mr. Sheldon's Coral Duchess, has only had her first calf, and will 

 grow into a short legged taking cow, while Sweetheart 37th, bred 

 at Rousham, has already two Princesses crosses out of the first 

 three in her pedigree. Ruby Princess, and Eosy Lactea, names 

 denoting their lineage, were bought by Mr. Lloyd at the dispersion 

 of the Woodside herd in the neighbouring County. The Princess 

 and Knightley lines of blood have " nicked" together previously at 

 Fawsley, and it is to be hoped the same success awaits the owner of 

 the Astwick Manor herd. 



When Mr. E. C. Tisdall, dispersed his extensive herd of " dairy " 

 shorthorns, Mr. J. N. Edwards, of Westminster Lodge, secured 

 Matchless 5th, the Champion cow at the London Dairy Show of 1881, 

 and Elvira 7th, the two finest animals sold that day. Many sales 

 have since witnessed him a purchaser of the best animal in the sale, 

 so far as milk and shape combined went together. Pedigree did not 

 interfere with the selection of the animals, Booth and Bates sales 

 being visited, as well as those of mixed herds, but shorthorns are of 

 no service to Mr. Edwards without they are good dairy cows, as the 

 object of keeping the herd is to supply the City of St. Albans the 

 Farm is within a few minutes walk of the London and North 

 Western Station with milk, and then of course to be turned into 

 beef as quickly as possible when dry, the two especial points in which 

 a pedigree shorthorn so far excels all other breeds, and which no 

 doubt induced the owner to prefer the " red, white, and roan," for 

 his purpose. A register is kept of each cow's milk, and so well did 

 Mr. Edwards keep his records that after winning the Challenge Cup, 

 given by the British Dairy Farmer's Association, in 1883, he was 

 finally awarded it in 1885. About 250 acres is the extent of the 

 three farms, on which are maintained 150 pedigree shorthorns of 

 various ages, in addition to the work horses, and a few Dorset ewes, 

 which are sold out fat with their lambs, before the grass land is shut 

 up for the hay crop, almost every acre of permanent grass being 

 mown upon the farms. The cattle are located at three sets of 

 buildings. At the one nearest the town we find the cows in milk ; 

 at the second, the bulls and calves ; and at a still more distant one, 



