640 CYCLOPEDIA OP LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



animals, being pure races, the rule is not so apparent ; for in them is 

 found the nicest blending of transmitted qualities. Yet it is observed 

 even in wild animals when bred in confinement. Devon cattle and other 

 pure breeds of domestic stock, also show peculiarities to a less extent 

 than more mixed races. Peculiarities of ancestors appear most frequently 

 in the common mixed stock of the farm, especially when ])red to sires of 

 improved blood. 



XVI. How the Short-Horns were bred up. 



The inheritance of the prepotent l)lood of sires, u[)()n an already valua* 

 ble breed, careful selection and at length the impress of a bull, (Hub- 

 back,) remarkable in every respect, merged what were known as Tees- 

 water, Durham or Yorkshire cattle, into what has come of late years to be 

 known, the world over, as Short-Horns. The name is an unfortunate 

 one in some respects, since it is used to designate one of the three dis- 

 tinct classifications of horned cattle. 



Less than 200 years ago the first improvement was made in Short- 

 Horn cattle, according to Culley, Marshall, Bailey, and others of the last 

 century ; and it is only within the last 100 years that the great improve- 

 ment was made which causes this magnificent breed of cattle to be so 

 highly prized. The "Alloy," a Gallowa}^ or hornless, cross made by 

 Charles Colling was unfortunate, and breeders are careful that their stock 

 shall not trace back to this cross, which runs to Grandson of Bolingbroke 

 and Lady — to the "Alloy" as this progeny was called. 



XVII. Short-Horns During the Past Fifty Years. 



It is within the last fifty years that the Short-^Horns, once remarkable 

 for their milking qualities, have degenerated in this respect so that they 

 are now almost worthless for the dairy. They have been bred to emi- 

 nent fineness and elegance, but it is questionable if, as beef producers, 

 the less fashionable are not the better cattle. Originally the Short-Horns 

 ran much to white ; and roans also were very common. Of late years it 

 has been more fashionable to breed to self-colors, or to animals in which 

 the colors, whatever they may be, (red and white being the best,) are 

 distinct and well defined, one from the other. 



Importations of Short-Horns from Great Britain were made to the 

 Eastern States m 1815, 1822, 1828, 1828, 1835, 1839, and 1849-50; to 

 Kentucky in 1817, and again in 1837-38, and in 1839. Large importa- 

 tions were made into Ohio in 1834, and in 1835-36. The first direct 

 importation to Illinois was made in 1858. Since 1835 Canadian breed- 

 ers have imported many fine animals, and within the last ten years their 

 herds have taken high rank in the world of Short-Horns. At the present 

 time there are no States of the West, the Northwest and Southwest, but 



