BREEDS OF DAIRY CA TTLE 135 



or less mixed with other strains, including the Scotch Galloways, of 

 these early arrivals from Norfolk and Suffolk. But the first notable 

 importation of the breed in its modern form was made in the year 

 1873 by Gilbert F. Taber, and this herd, to which he added in 1875 

 and 1882, was maintained for some years in Putnam County, N. Y. 

 A number of importations to the United States have since been made, 

 and the State of Ohio has lately been the center of active interest in 

 making these cattle known in this country. 



Characteristics. The animals of this breed are about the same 

 size as Devons, and, being of the same color and of the beef form, 

 the resemblance is still greater. The absence of horns and the change 

 thus caused in the shape of the head, which assumes a comparatively 

 high and sharp crown, or poll, with a tuft of hair upon it, is the only 

 noticeable distinction. The development of the milking parts has 

 been better maintained in the Red Polls, so that at present their 

 udders, teats, and milk veins show the better. In the matter of teats 

 this may have been overdone, as with the Polls these are often unduly 

 large, puffy, and conical. While red is the required color, it is per- 

 missible to have a white tijD to the switch and some white upon the 

 udder, although the latter is deemed undesirable. The Red Polled 

 cattle are strong in constitution, hardy, good grazers, active in move- 

 ment, and quiet in disposition. 



In general appearance the animals of this breed are of the beef 

 type blocky, round, full, smooth, and fine-boned. Their aptitude 

 for making meat seems to be greater than for making milk. Their 

 special friends claim them to be good at both, and press their merits 

 strongly as the general farm cow. It is needless to present here the 

 proofs of their excellence as 'butchers' beasts. 



Milk Records. As dairy animals the Red Polls must be placed 

 in the second class with the other breeds which aim to serve the dual 

 purpose. They appear to give rather more milk than Devons on the 

 average, but not quite so rich in quality. Being comparatively few 

 in number in this country, dairy records of entire herds in the United 

 States are lacking, and the available figures mainly pertain to records 

 in Great Britain. Good herds there average 5,000 to 5,500 pounds of 

 milk annually per cow, and, when small and selected, occasionally 

 rising to 7,000 pounds. One record is claimed of 7,744 pounds eacn 

 for 22 cows. The first herdbook for this breed was published in 

 England in 1874, and in 1883 the Red Polled Cattle Club of America 

 was organized, and issued its first volume in 1887. A few years later 

 the English and American associations united their herdbooks, which 

 have since been a joint issue, all animals of the breed in both coun- 

 tries being registered together. This is the only instance of its kind 

 among the purebred cattle organizations of this country. 



SHORTHORNS. 



Origin and History. The cattle which have been most famous 

 as a breed in England and America, which have received the longest 

 and closest attention of breeders and improvers, which have com- 

 manded prices singly and in herds far above all others, and which 

 have made the most general impression upon the live stock of both 

 countries during the nineteenth century, are the Shorthorns, or Dur- 



