No. 2. 



Tit e Pembrokeshire Ox. 



49 



THE PEMBROKESHIRE OX. 

 Wales. 



Great Britain does not afford a more useful animal than the Pembroke Cow or Ox. 

 The great majority of this breed are perfectly black, with beautifully turned white horns, 

 with black tips; a few have white faces, with a little white about the tail or udder. The 

 general form of the cattle betrays, undeniably, their early origin. They are shorter in 

 the leg than most of the Welsh breeds, and have round and deep carcases, with a peculi- 

 arly lively look, and majestic air while walking. The hair is rough, but short; and the 

 hide is not thick, being excellent handlers. The bones, although not so small as in the 

 improved long-horns, are far from large ; and the Pembrokeshire cattle mingle, in a con- 

 siderable degree, and as far, perhaps, as they can be combined, the two opposite qualities, 

 of being very fair milkers, with a propensity to fatten ; the meat, even of a half fatted 

 beast, being generally beautifully marbled ; the finest of them are equal in value for beef 

 with the Scotch cattle, and some epicures prefer it; while they are so hardy as to live 

 where those of many other breeds would starve; and will thrive most rapidly, and outstrip 

 most others when they have plenty and good pastures. On trial, however, the Glamorgan- 

 shire breed might get the start of the Pembrokes in the best pastures, but on rough and 

 barren tracts, the advantage would be found to be greatly in favour of the Pembrokes ; 

 and they are therefore, purchased very largely by the Glamorganshire farmers at the time 

 of the great Welsh fairs, when many thousands are sold for very distant parts, and of all 

 ages. The Pembroke cow is perhaps the best cottager's cow in Britain ; while she is 

 equally profitable to the large farmer; the breed attaining large size and magnificent pro- 

 portions ; while the ox, like the Devon, is a speedy worker, and honest withal ; fit for the 

 road as for the plough, and when taken from work, fattening speedily. Great numbers 

 are brought to the London market, standing the journey well, and rarely disappointing the 

 butcher ; much oftener proving better than appearances would indicate, and becoming ripe 

 at four years old ; being very good on the chine and loin ; round and long in the barrel, 

 with a rich wave in the hair, and an oiliness of skin, which ever denote thriftiness, and 

 bearing a high resemblance to the Kyloes. 



The town of Narberth, in Pembrokeshire is famous for its fairs for these cattle; and it 

 is worth a journey of a hundred miles to see, within an hour of the opening of the fair, 

 the road leading out of the town covered with many hundreds of this magnificent cattle, 

 wending their way to the deep feeding valleys of Warwickshire, &c, in preparation for 

 the London markets; their white horns and flowing tails, rendering them conspicuous 

 above all other breeds. 



