362 



HIST OK Y OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



(1,568 Ibs.) twenty-three and one-half months; 

 and third prize nearly as high. The weights 

 were tolerably even in all classes. In steers un- 

 der three, first prize was 17 cwt. (1,904 Ibs.) 

 at two years seven and one-half months old; 

 second prize, 16| cwt. (1,820 Ibs.) at two years 

 and eight months. In the class under four, 

 first prize weighed 17f cwt. (1,988 Ibs.) at 

 three years eight months; second prize, 18^ 

 cwt. (2,072 Ibs.) at three years four months. 

 In heifers, first prize weighed 14 J cwt. (1,652 

 Ibs.) at three and one-half years; second prize 



ROYAUI6!.*, 



EH.B., 6S5S5. 



ROYAL 16TH (6655) 6459. 

 Bred by J. B. & G. H. Green. 



weighed 17 cwt. (1,904 Ibs.) at three years two 

 months. The winning cow was 20| cwt. 

 (2,324 Ibs.) at eleven and one- third years. 



" 'No particulars of value can be obtained as 

 to the performances of pure Hereford in milk, 

 butter or cheese. It is not used for draft of any 

 kind, and it -is chiefly bred in the west of Eng- 

 land, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire, al- 

 though many successful breeders are scattered 

 throughout the country upon all soils. Here- 

 fords are driven to all the great midland fairs 

 for farmers, who purchase them largely for fat- 

 tening. The chief grasses grown are clovers, 

 vetches and the best perennials. That the Here- 

 fords will do well on heavy as well as light land 

 is now admitted. We can point to cases within 

 our own knowledge, where at the Christmas 

 markets Herefords brought in to fatten, have 

 beaten everything else in realizing top prices, 

 although in a county where they are compara- 

 tively little known.' 



MILKING QUALITIES OF THE HEEEFOEDS. 



"The milking qualities of the Herefords 

 have no doubt been seriously neglected in 

 the past, and are similarly treated by breeders 

 generally at present; but there is no reason for 

 doubting that as milkers the existing herds 

 show a very considerable improvement. As a 

 rule the Hereford cows, when contrasted with 



extremely large bulls and oxen, are somewhat 

 small, but of course in no way small as we 

 apply this term to Kerries, Ayrshires, or Chan- 

 nel Islands cattle. The cause of the undevelop- 

 ment of good milking qualities in all Hereford 

 herds is not far to seek. The soil of the locality 

 which saw the breed originate, is admittedly not 

 suited to dairy cattle, consequently there is not 

 that attention given to the improvement of the 

 herds as milkers as would be the case were they 

 in a district better suited to further their dairy 

 properties. In its original habitat the custom 

 which prevails is to regard the steers as the 

 source of pecuniary profit, and whereas in most 

 other parts it is the general practice to give the 

 females the preference in rearing, it is much 

 more usual for both male and female Hereford 

 calves to be similarly treated, the preference be- 

 ing given to the males. This practice largely 

 obtaining, is obviously calculated to prove detri- 

 mental to milking properties. The outcome of 

 all this is that, as a rule, the Hereford is want- 

 ing in dairy qualifications. But, on the other 

 hand, the exception does not strengthen the 

 rule, even if it proves it, for where pure-bred 

 Hereford stock is kept purposely for dairy re- 

 quirements, where the good milkers are kept, 

 and the bad and indifferent are weeded out, it 

 is soon very obvious to the most prejudiced that 

 high milking qualities are resident in the Here- 

 ford." 



HEREFORDSHIRE AND HEREFORD 

 CATTLE. 



EEPOET PEEPAEED FOE CONSUL DOCKERY, OF 



LEEDS, BY MR. JOHN KEESLEY FOWLER, 



PREBENDAL FARM, AYLESBURY, JUDGE 



AT PARIS EXPOSITION, 1878. 



DESCRIPTION OF HEEEFOEDSHIRE. 



"In writing an account of this very valuable 

 and beautiful tribe of cattle it is necessary to 

 give a description of the county which gives its 

 name to the breed and also of the soil and 

 climate, as well as the general characteristics of 

 the district, as this particular breed of cattle is 

 especially adapted to certain localities in Eng- 

 land, and although I will not venture to affirm 

 that they will not thrive under other climatic 

 and geological circumstances than their own 

 county, from my own personal experience, I 

 find that they are more adapted for those dis- 

 tricts which partake more or less of the char- 

 acter of Herefordshire. 



