MIDDLE- HORNED CATTLE — -THE HEREFORI>S. 705 



XII. The Hereford as a Work-Ox. 



As work oxen the Herefords are inferior to the Devons, when activity 

 is wanted, but for heavy draft they have no superior, being muscular, 

 steady and patient at the yoke. Their capacity for standing fatigue, and 

 their constitutional hardihood and resistance to coid are indeed remarka- 

 ble, and of late years they have become great favorites with the rdnch* 

 men in the far Western States and Territories. . 



XTTT. The Hereford Cow. 



Two years ago, in collecting information about this valuable beef breed, 

 we wrote, and now repeat: 



The Hereford cow compared with the ox is small and delicate, and not 

 always handsomely made, to the superficial observer. 



Here again this breed would seem to show its relationship to the 

 Devon. She carries but little flesh :n breeding condition, and when 

 breeding, should not be fed sufficiently to accumulate much fat, for, in 

 order that the young be superior, the dam should have plenty of room 

 inside. 



With the Herefords, experience has shown that the dam may not be 

 too large or coarse but she should be roomy. Then the breeder will get, 

 even from apparently inferior cows, large, handsome steers, that will 

 fatten early, and kindly, and to great weights. 



When the cow is done breeding, and ready for fatting, it will please 

 the owner to see how she will spread out, and accumulate flesh and fat, 

 and this to a greater degree than if not allowed to breed. 



The Herefords are a hardy, gentle race, maturing eariy, and are long- 

 lived. The flesh is superior, handsomely marbled, heavy in the prime 

 parts, and they fatten to weights fully as heavy as any known breed. 



Their massive strength, honesty and gentleness make them the best 

 working oxen known, and the potency of the bulls, when crossed upon 

 red or nearly red cows of the country, renders the steers easily matched 

 in color, as they will be easily matched in general characteristics of the 

 progeny. 



Xrv. Points of the Hereford. 

 In judging the Herefords as beef animals the same scale of points may 

 be adopted as for Short-Horns, except that the Herefords are, if any- 

 thing, more placid, closer to the ground, heavier in appearance, better 

 grazers, and thicker meated than many strains of Short-Horns. 

 XV. The Hereford of To-day in England. 

 It has been claimed, and we think with truth, that in some show rings 

 in the West the Herefords were discriminated against. Be this as it may, 



