THE BUFFALO OR BISON 139 



half-breed cows, 5 half-breed bulls, and 17 calves, mixed 

 and pure. In that year this herd was purchased for $50,000 

 by Mr. C. J. Jones, of Kansas, who had already been 

 courageously endeavouring to produce a cross-bred race. 

 Homaday quotes an interesting letter from Mr. Bedson, 

 written in 1888, in which the latter gives his experience. 

 The crossing was generally between the buffalo bull and 

 an ordinary cow, with encouraging results and no greater 

 losses than would be experienced in ranching with ordinary 

 cattle. Buffalo cows and crosses dropped calves at as low 

 a temperature as 20° below zero, and the calves were sturdy 

 and healthy. Mr. Bedson states: "The half-breed resulting 

 from two crosses as above mentioned has been again crossed 

 with the thoroughbred buffalo bull, producing a three- 

 quarter breed animal closely resembling the buffalo, the 

 head and robe being quite equal, if not superior. The half- 

 breeds are very prolific. The cows drop a calf annually. 

 They are also very hardy indeed, as they take the instinct 

 of the buffalo during blizzards and storms, and do not 

 drift Hke native cattle. They remain in our open prairies 

 while the thermometer ranges from 30 to 40 degrees below 

 zero, with little or no food except what they rustle on the 

 prairie and no shelter at all." After pointing out the ad- 

 vantages of an animal that does not need care and shelter 

 during the winter, he continues: "They are always in good 

 order, and I consider the meat of the half-breed much pref- 

 erable to domestic animals, while the robe is very fine 

 indeed, the fur being evened up on the hind parts, the same 

 as on the shoulders." When it was necessary through 

 accident to slaughter certain of the haff-breed animals, the 

 dressed hides reaUzed from $50 to $75 each, and a half- 

 breed buffalo ox four years old weighed 1,280 pounds 

 dressed beef. The three-quarter breed was an enormous 

 animal, possessing an extra good robe; Mr. Bedson con- 

 sidered them the coming cattle for range cattle in our 



