No. 6. 



JVorth Argyleshire Ox. 



177 



NORTH ARGYLESHIRE OX. 



The North Arofyleshire cattle are now bred to the full size which the soil or the qualities 

 of the animal will bear. That fundamental principle in breeding' is generally adopted here, 

 that the size must be determined by the soil and the food ; and that it is far more profitable 

 to the farmer to have the size of his breed under, rather than over, the produce of his land. 

 Both will gradually adapt themselves to the soil; but the small beast will become more 

 bulky, and improve in all his points, while the large one will degenerate in form, and in 

 every good quality. Therefore, the soil and management here, being, generally speaking, 

 more judicious than that of the country more north, it was found that a somewhat larger 

 animal might be admitted. He was, however, procured, not by crossing with a breed of 

 superior size, but by careful selection from the best of the native breed; and experience and 

 judgment soon discovered when the proper point, the profitable weight, was gained ; and 

 then the breeder went back to the equally pure but smaller breed of Skye, lest the form 

 should be deteriorated and the fattening quality should not be so equable and true, and the 

 beef should lose some of its beautiful character and flavour. 



There is no part of the Highlands of Scotland where the soil and climate are better 

 adapted to the perfection of this beautiful breed of cattle than in Argyle, or where we so 

 often see the true characteristics of the very best Highland cattle. Short, and somewhat 

 strong in the shank, round in the body, straight on the back, well haired, long in the muzzle, 

 with a well-turned horn; and there is no district in which the farmer so superstitiously, and 

 yet we will say, properly, refrains from all foreign mixture; and could the two great errors 

 of the Highland farmer be remedied, namely, overstocking in the summer and starving in 

 the winter, there would be nothing more to desire, so far as the grazier is concerned, except, 

 perhaps, docility of character and temper; but that will be gradually acquired, when further 

 improvements in agriculture have rendered it unnecessary for the beast to wander so far, 

 and over so wild a country, in search of food, and when he will be earlier and more per- 

 fectly domesticated. But this breed must be reared for the grazier alone ; every attention 

 to increase his weight, in order to make him capable of agricultural labour — every eflx)rt to 

 qualify for the dairy, will not only lessen their native hardiness of constitution and propen- 

 sity to fatten, but will fail in rendering them valuable for the purpose at which the farmer 

 foolishly aims. The character of the Highland ox must still be, that he will pay better for 

 the food which he eats than any other breed, and will fatten where any other breed would 

 scarcely live; and this is the grand secret of profitably breeding or grazing Scotch black 

 cattle ; and from whence a lesson might be learned in the art of rearing and feeding any 

 other breed whatever. But it is remarked, although the Highland cattle fatten very rapidly 

 for a certain time, and begin early to fatten where the pasturage will give them opportunity 

 to show it, they do not thrive so well when old ; a cow destined for slaughter, must not be 

 permitted to breed after six years old. 



