208 CATTLE 



fullness, while the thighs have been thin and pared off, being 

 deficient in thickness and depth. These deficiencies, however, 

 have been materially bred out in many herds, so that the 

 criticisms do not have the weight they formerly did. The color 

 markings have also become more uniform, and the white face, 

 breast, top of neck, and legs from knee and hock down, and per- 

 haps belly, with the balance of body red, are characteristics to- 

 day that are well established. The shade of red varies, but that 

 of a medium hue is most prevalent. The shoulder is most beauti- 

 fully laid and covered with flesh, this being a Hereford character- 

 istic scarcely equaled by any other breed. The spring and depth 

 of rib and consequent expansion of body is striking, and a wide, 

 long loin and thickness and depth of chest clearly account for 

 the vigor and constitution so universally acknowledged for this 

 breed. The head of the bull is different in type from that of 

 other breeds, being rather short and broad both in forehead and 

 muzzle, and often slightly dished of face, crowned with white or 

 waxy yellow horns which spring forward and down with graceful 

 curve. The neck is usually very smoothly blended into the 

 shoulder, furnishing a most attractive front. In fact, even to-day 

 the fore part of the Hereford usually delights the critics, while 

 the hind part often meets with unfavorable comment. In meat 

 production high rank is accorded, with a general distribution of 

 thick well-marbled flesh over the body and especially the back. 

 The coat of hair in winter is usually thicker and more curly than 

 that of any breed excepting the Galloway and West Highland, 

 furnishing an abundant protection. In constitutional vigor Here- 

 fords are of the first rank. As milk producers the cows average 

 below medium and are specially open to criticism in this particu- 

 lar. No class of breeders carry so many nurse cows on the show 

 circuit as do the Hereford men. In size this is one of the largest 

 breeds, the males often weighing 2200 and the females 1500 or 

 more. From very early times great scale was sought, and it is 

 said that in 1815 the bull Wellington weighed 29 1 2 pounds and 

 in 1820 the cow Silk 2000 pounds. The Hewers emphasized 

 size and quality, and their bull The General (1251) is reported to 

 have weighed 3640 pounds when six years old. It may also be 

 said that Herefords weigh heavy for their size. In quality the 



