110 



HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



prices ; the expense and risk of shipping is very 

 heavy, and not a very pleasant business for a 

 sea-sick sailor." 



The following is the letter referred to, from 

 Mr. Guerrier to Mr. Sotham, dated. London and 

 West Smithfield, 17th April, 1840: 



Dear Sir : As I could not conveniently, dur- 

 ing the busy engagements of our market, reply 

 to your inquiry respecting the breeds of Dur- 

 ham and Hereford cattle, I take this oppor- 

 tunity to state that never, during twenty years' 

 experience as a salesman of cattle of all breeds 

 in this market' (Smithfield), although I have 

 tried time without number, when I have had 

 some of the best descriptions of Durhams to 

 sell, could I succeed in persuading my best cus- 

 tomers at the west end of London to purchase 

 Durhams when I had any well-bred Herefords 

 to part with ; they one and all stated in cutting 

 up the beef they find in the Herefords so much 

 more roasting beef to that of boiling. To satisfy 

 your mind still further, just cast your eye over 

 the particulars (which I send for your perusal) 

 of our last Christmas show of cattle. There 

 you will perceive the Hereford takes the top 

 prize. Attend our Smithfield show and you 

 would be more than ever assured of the import- 

 ance of the best breed of Herefords before that 



of Durhams. Last year I had Durhams 15 

 stone per ox (200 Ibs. live weight) heavier than 

 Herefords, but could not realize so much by 

 4d per stone of 8 Ibs. (dead weight) as I could 



for the Herefords Wishing you success 



in your undertaking, 



I am, sir, yours respectfully, 



WILLIAM GUERRIER. 

 To W. H. Sotham. 



N. B. I need not observe to you the remarks 

 I have made regarding Herefords are not be- 

 cause I am at all prejudiced against Durhams, 

 Scots, or other breeds, but having with my 

 father grazed all breeds for many years, and as 

 a salesman, having for twenty years past, dur- 

 ing which time I have annually sold from 5,000 

 to 10,000 cattle, consisting of all breeds, from 

 Ireland, Scotland, as also in this kingdom, 

 never found any breed of cattle more profitable 

 than the said Herefords, if well bred. 



From the same volume of the "Cultivator" wo 

 quote (p. 104) the following editorial matter: 



"One of the most important importations of 

 cattle and sheep that has ever taken place in 

 this country has just been made by the Honor- 

 able Erastus Corning of -this city and Wm. H. 

 Sotham of Jefferson County. It consists, as 

 will be seen in the list given in another part of 



HEREFORD STEER, 2 YEARS 11 MONTHS OLD, CHAMPION AT BIRMINGHAM AND SMITHFIELD, 1853. 

 (Bred by T. Carter, Dodmore, near Ludlow, Herefordshire; fed by Mr. Heath of Norfolk.) 



