Chapter XXXI. 



SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS. 



The origin of this valuable breed has always been a subject of more 

 or less dispute ardent admirers of the Shorthorn claiming an almost 

 unbroken line of pure descent, and improvement solely by careful selec- 

 tion, feeding and management ; others, perhaps partisans of other 

 breeds, claiming that whatever improvement has been made, and in fact, 

 whatever excellence the breed might possess, has been brought about by 

 judicious but stealthy crosses with superior individuals of other breeds. 

 That there was a time when the Shorthorn ancestry were only native 

 cattle, even the most earnest advocates of their purity must admit ; but 

 it is also true, that, if there have been any radical out-crosses since the 

 breed became definitely known as such, they have been exceedingly 

 stealthy ones. 



EARLY HISTORY. 



Their probable history begins with the" cattle of the mainland of 

 Europe, in the provinces bordering on the Baltic and North Seas. 

 These cattle possessed many of the qualities now claimed by Shorthorns, 

 including color and size ; but there was a general disposition toward 

 excellence in milking qualities rather than the full, rounded, symmetri- 

 cal, beef outline of a majority of modern Shorthorns as bred for range 

 improvement in the Western states. 



Prior to the conquest of England by William of Normandy, the 

 northern and eastern portion was occupied by Danes and other warlike 

 races from the mainland. These people did not confine their operations 

 to war and pillage alone, but, while holding the eastern coastline of the 

 island, established a considerable trade in merchandise and agricultural 

 products to and from the mainland. In this way, it is claimed, were the 

 Shorthorn progenitors introduced into England ; and what renders the 

 claim more probable, is the fact that the first Shorthorns were found in 

 and confined to those counties or shires lying along the northern and 

 eastern boundaries. 



IMPROVEMENT. 



As early as 1740, permanent records were kept by the more careful 

 breeders ; and, according to Mr. Bates, there were fine Shorthorns upon 

 the estate of the Earl of Northumberland as early as the year 1600. Mr. 

 Millbank, of Barningham, and Sir William St. Quintin, of Scampston, 



