Chapter XXXVII. 



PEMBROKE CATTLE. 



("Castle Martins,'" or Black Cattle of South Wales.*} 



Although we know of no Pembrokes in the United Statas, we insert 

 the chapter on account of the close relationship between this breed and 

 the Black Cattle of North Wales. Until within a score of years, the 

 Pembroke breed has included all of the black mountain cattle of Wales. 

 From the report of the Hon. Stephen B. Packard, United States Con- 

 sul at Liverpool, we quote : 



' ' There are two breeds of cattle in Wales. The North Wales breed [see North 

 Wales Black Cattle] is found in greatest perfection in Anglesea and Caernarvonshire. 

 The South Wales breed was called "Castle Martin, "and the animals are very big, 

 large boned and coarse, but they are not in favor in the north of the Principality. * 

 * * * Both breeds are black, producing occasionally specimens dun colored 

 and red. Characteristic points require that bulls should have white testicles and the 

 cows white udders." 



They are supposed to be directly descended from the Bos primo- 

 genius, and are hence allied to the wild "Forest" breed still preserved 

 in Chillingham Park, the Devons, and still more closely to their new 

 rivals, the Black Cattle of North Wales. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



Color black, with the white marks already mentioned. As com- 

 pared with the North Wales breed, they have shorter hair, lighter hind 

 parts, narrower shoulders, and coarser bones. The best specimens of 

 each breed would bear close inspection to decide between them on merit 

 alone ; but it is now admitted that a much larger number of the North 

 Wales cattle answer the requirements of an improved modern breed. 



The particular characteristics claimed for the Pembrokes are 

 hardiness, dairy qualities and aptitude to range well. They cannot be 

 said to bear forced feeding, but for rough grazing they would doubtless 

 find much favor upon our western ranges. As to their dairy qualities, we 

 confess to some degree of skepticism; it does not seem reasonable that 

 a breed reared under the rough "no care" conditions which their 

 breeders are careful to claim can have any very great tendency to large 

 yields of milk. Their flesh is said to be as good as any, and the oxen are 

 docile, easily trained, and make strong, active teams. 



The first volume of the Herd Book appeared in 1874, and since 

 that time improvement of the breed has taken a more decided and 



systematic turn. 



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