BREEDS OF CATTLE 129 



breeding stock with both qualifications), and that other breeds 

 selected for very many generations with the sole object of beef- 

 production have never been serious rivals for the bids of those 

 wanting to breed large numbers for the shambles. These 

 reflections cannot but win our respect for the originator of the 

 "Improved Shorthorned Breed"; they make us consider with 

 some anxiety the possibility of systematic or scientific effort in 

 the twentieth century doing anything to improve the empirical 

 methods of the eighteenth. 



Many explanations occur to one's mind of the phenomenal 

 success of the Shorthorn in securing the custom of so many of 

 the buyers from overseas. 



Without doubt one of the most valuable characteristics of 

 the breed is its adaptability. It will thrive under many variations 

 of climate, soil, and other conditions. After a few generations 

 of selection it will direct the metabolism of its system towards 

 beef-production at the expense of milk-production. The original 

 red colour of its coat, we are told, was a pale red inclined to 

 yellow. Following the fashion of overseas customers, a deep 

 blood-red colour is now common. To suit pasturage that is 

 very productive a large beast can be secured ; on the other hand, 

 medium, or even small, cattle can always be produced from 

 Shorthorns when required. In a harsh climate the breed can 

 be relied upon to grow an abundance of soft, warm, weather- 

 defying coat; in more favoured climates this faculty is not 

 brought into play. Given plenty of food to force growth, well- 

 bred stock may be relied upon for very early maturity; on the 

 other hand, when " done " only moderately well, the animal will 

 graduallv and slowly mature. No other breed can show such 

 adaptability. 



It also has a very great reputation for " prepotency " as a sire. 

 Breeders believe that it has the faculty, developed to a very 

 high degree, of impressing certain good qualities upon its off- 

 spring. The possibility of any race of animals having this pro- 

 perty developed to a greater extent than another has been 

 questioned of late years. It is, however, very firmly believed 

 by many of the most experienced that the Shorthorn has it to 

 a very marked degree; I, personally, am very much inclined to 



M. 9 



