198 ABERDEEN-ANGUS. 



through the exceeding popularity of the Angus-Shorthorn crosses for 

 feeding purposes. Mr. McCombie believed that the Angus breed was 

 eminently worthy not only of preservation, but of improvement as well, 

 and steadily directed his energies toward the accomplishment of this end. 



IMPORTATION TO THE UNITED STATES. 



The first of which we have any record was made in 1873 by Mr. 

 Grant, of Victoria, Kan.; this was followed in 1878 by an importation of 

 five cows and a bull for Messrs. Anderson & Findlay, of Lake Forest, 

 111., and the next year a few head were brought over by Mr. F. B. Red- 

 field, of Batavia, N. Y. ; since that time importations have been numer- 

 ous and breeding rapid, until there are at present writing probably not 

 less than 4,500 to 5,000 head of pure bred Aberdeen- Angus in the 

 United States. 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



We can best distinguish them by a comparison with the close de- 

 scription of the Galloway already given : There are no horns. The 

 color is pure shining black without the brown tinge of the Galloway 

 and the hair is fine, smooth, short and close-lying. In this respect, 

 alone, the Angus cattle show a greater nicety of breeding, and, taken in 

 connection with their size, illustrate perfectly the aim of both early and 

 modern improvers of the breed, namely : To produce an animal which 

 could be forced with profit, attain large size, and attract attention by 

 his neat and meaty appearance. 



In size they are considerably ahead of the Galloway, mature bulls 

 ranging from 1,800 to 2,2oolbs., and cows from i,iooto 1,500 Ibs. ; the 

 forehead is less inclined to fullness, the back broader ; flanks deeper, 

 and general form more nearly filling the beef rectangle. 



To the ordinary observer, not interested financially, in either 

 breed, the Aberdeen-Angus would undoubtedly rank first from looks 

 alone ; to those who go further, and demand not only looks, but hardi- 

 ness and other qualities combined, it is difficult to decide between them. 

 From our own experience, and what we have gathered from others, the 

 Aberdeen-Angus is the better animal to buy where feed is plenty and 

 pasture luxuriant ; but for the range, where the animal has to look out 

 for himself, we would prefer the Galloway. The fact already stated 

 that Galloways acclimate somewhat better than Angus in the southern 

 fever belt the latter standing next below the former bears considerable 

 weight with breeders in the great Southwest. To offset this, Angus 

 cattle mature earlier, and attain greater size. Each breed claims pre- 

 eminence in beef qualities, and we candidly confess our inability to see 

 any difference between them on this point. As a milk cow, the Aber- 

 deen-Angus gives an ample supply for her calf no more is needed for 

 the range. Either Angus or Galloway bulls are excellent dehorners. 



