No. 10. Tlie Rev. J\C Berry's Com, of the Allay Breed. 313 



THE REV. N. BERRY'S COW, OF THE "ALLOY" BREED. 



Mr. Coi/ling, during his career as a breeder, tried several experiments in crossing 1 , 

 considering it desirable to reduce the size of the Short-horns of that da}', a portrait of one 

 of which appears in the Cabinet, vol. 5, page 345, as Patriot: and the cross with the 

 polled Galloway, produced the most successful results; being calculated by their deep, 

 massive frames and short legs, to bring the Short-horns nearer the ground, and to dipose 

 their weight in a more compact manner; their hardy habits being essentially useful, and 

 the quality of flesh and hair was such as to render the experiment safe. And although 

 at the time, the event was regarded with ridicule by the pure-blood advocates, Mr. Colling 

 persisted, determined to take one cross only, and then breed back to the Short-horn ; the 

 only way in which crossing can be successfully adopted: to breed from the produce of a 

 cross directly among themselves, leading to results which have induced many persons to 

 determine conclusively against all crossing: but to take one cross, and then return and 

 adhere to one breed, will be found to stamp a variety with sufficient certainty. Mr. Col- 

 ling's pure Short-horn bull, Bolingeroke, was therefore put to a beautiful red polled Gal- 

 loway cow, and the produce, a bull-calf, was in due time put to Johanna, a pure Short- 

 horn — she also produced a bull-calf; and this grandson of Bulingbroke, was the sire of 

 the cow " Lady," by another pure Short-horn dam ; and from " Lady" has sprung- the 

 highly valuable family of improved Short-horns, which has been termed in reproach, the 

 Alloy. The dam of" Lady," was also the dam of the bull Favourite; and as the grand- 

 son of Bolingbroke is not known as having been the sire of any other remarkably good 

 animal, it is probable that the unquestionable merit of "Lady" and her descendants, is to 

 be attributed more to her dam than to her sire — a volume in proof of the true axiom in 

 breeding — Dam the best. The prejudice against this cross was at its highest at the time 

 of Mr. C. Colling's sale of stock, and yet, under these circumstances what said public 

 opinion, unequivocally certified by the stroke of the auctioneer's hammer? " Lady," at 

 14 years old, sold for 206 guineas; "Countess," her daughter, nine years old, for 400 

 guineas; "J, aura," another daughter, four years old, for 210 guineas; "Major" and 

 " George," two of her sons, the former three years old, the latter a calf, for 200 guineas 

 the former, and 130 guineas the latter; besides a number of others more remotely de- 

 scended ; all at high prices — a sale of 48 lots, realizing the sum of £7115 17s. sterling: 

 " Lady" and her descendants, bringing larger sums than any other family ; this sale 

 settling the public judgment and taste. 



As a specimen of the Alloy, the above portrait of Mr. Berry's cow was taken three 

 days before she calved, and exhibits her usual condition. She gave a moderate quantity 

 of particularly rich milk, which was all that could be expected. 



