BREEDS OF DAIRY CATTLE 133 



POLLED DURHAMS. 



Origin and History. This is a breed of cattle, if it may yet be 

 called a breed, which has originated in America; but its foundation 

 lies away back in the dawn of history regarding domestic cattle in 

 England. At the time the earliest definite knowledge of improve- 

 ment in the cattle of Great Britain begins the middle counties formed 

 the scene of activity, and the district of Craven, a fertile corner of 

 the West Riding of Yorkshire, bordering on Lancashire, seems to 

 have been the place where the first decisive work was done which laid 

 the foundation for a great race of cattle. The farmers of Yorkshire 

 were well ahead of the rest of the country two or three centuries ago 

 in their ideas of cattle improvement. The first group, or perhaps 

 breed, to receive distinction and a name were the Longhorns. Their 

 horns were as long as those of the typical Texan steer, but were 

 drooping instead of erect. The result of the next marked epoch in 

 English cattle breeding was the Durham breed, which, by contrast 

 with preceding favorites, were named Shorthorns. Another century 

 has passed, and between sports selection, and artificial means, Ameri- 

 can breeders have been able to separate from the general Shorthorn 

 stock a family retaining all the other features of that race, but with 

 no horns at all. These are called Polled Durhams, and have become 

 so fixed in type and in the potency of the hornless feature that they 

 have been allowed a name and place as a distinct breed. It has taken 

 shape within two or three decades, and one chary of new breeds is 

 somewhat startled to find that animals registered as Polled Durhams 

 are also admitted to the American Shorthorn Herd Book. Although 

 thus largely of Shorthorn blood, the old familiar muley cow of the 

 native stock of the country, often a brindle in color, was used to 

 a considerable extent in the early work of building this breed and 

 breeding out the horns. But, having served its purpose, this common 

 blood is now rather despised, and one of the requirements for entry 

 of animals in the American Polled Durham Herd Book was that after 

 the year 1899 females shall carry at least 96% per cent of Shorthorn 

 blood, unless their parents are already registered. Besides this, they 

 must have the "color and markings characteristic of the Shorthorn," 

 but must be hornless. This branch or family of the Shorthorn 

 breed for that is what it is was developed mainly in Ohio, and is 

 best known in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi and in States 

 to the westward. 



Characteristics. As to size, color, and general appearance, the 

 Polled Durhams answer perfectly to the description of the typical 

 Shorthorn of the beef form, without the horns. Red is the color pre- 

 ferred and prevailing. They should be, and usually are, classed as 

 belonging to the beef breeds ; yet so many animals of dairy excellence 

 appear among them that they deserve this mention. One of their most 

 careful breeders and earnest champions says of them: They have 

 the contour and general make-up of the grand old breed from which 

 they have been mainly builded; besides, in their development the 

 milking qualities have not been lost sight of, and among them are 

 some excellent milkers. 



