i 5 4 POLLED BREEDS 



the good beef animals that are not Aberdeen Angus may be of 

 other conformation. It may well be, indeed, that the Aberdeen's 

 head is the origin of the popular belief that a certain shape 

 denotes beef-producing qualities. 



The poll of the Galloway is flat, that of the Aberdeen Angus 

 is pointed, and the ear of the former is larger and less well- 

 rolled, or more open than that of the latter. The hide of the 

 Galloway is much the thicker, and very highly valued by the 

 tanner ; its coat is longer and more hairy. The greatest difference 

 however, is in the shape and build of the whole body. The 

 Aberdeen, well sprung in the rib, thick in the flesh, fine in the 

 bone, and well put together, is well described as ''block-like"; 

 the Galloway on the other hand is quite strong-boned, has 

 rather flat sides, looks longer, and is what a horseman would 

 describe as "loosely coupled." Thus the two breeds are quite 

 different in shape. 



The colour of the Galloway often shows a red tinge ; black 

 and whites, duns and reds are also frequently found. The 

 breed has a great reputation for hardiness against which must 

 be set the charge, made by those who know the breed, that they 

 do not grow quickly or mature early; it is, as beef-breeds go, 

 a good milker, but does not generally give a high enough yield 

 to claim dual-purpose capacity. It is sometimes claimed for 

 it, and perhaps with some justice, that a joint from its carcase 

 will give a deeper layer of lean meat, in proportion to its size, 

 than that from any other British ox. 



It is, however, the power of the cow, when mated with a 

 "white" Shorthorn, to drop the wonderful "Blue-grey" 

 calves which make the highly valued stores, that renders the 

 breed most interesting. Bulls of the desired colour have been 

 bred for this purpose in the "Border Country" for genera- 

 tions by many farmers who make a speciality of supplying the 

 demand for these sires. I have wondered whether these bulls 

 are truly described as white; to me they have always appeared 

 to be cream colour. It is a point of some interest, having regard 

 to the constant discussion of the inheritance of colour according 

 to the laws of Mendel. The cross is altogether an admirable 

 one as regards beef-production. The quality and early maturity 



