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CATTLE 



Characteristics of the Devon. The Devon is not easily con- 

 founded with other breeds, owing to its individuality. The color 

 is usually a bright red, for which they have been nicknamed 

 "Rubies." The shade varies from light to dark. White is not 

 admissible, excepting about the udder of the cow, or in front of 

 the scrotum of the male, and not beyond the navel with either, 

 nor outside of the flanks or elsewhere on the body. The hair about 

 the eyes and muzzle should be of a creamy tint and the muzzle 

 be flesh-colored. In addition to color as an identifying mark, 

 the head, horns, and neck have distinctive breed attributes. The 

 head is lean and cleanly made, and, with the female, is crowned 

 by a pair of slender horns that are " long, spreading and grace- 

 fully turned up, of a waxy color, tipped with a darker shade." 

 The bull's horns grow at right angles from the head or are 

 slightly elevated, are stout and waxy at the base, and are tipped 

 with a darker shade. The neck shows a considerable refinement, 

 with neat head and body attachment. The body of the Devon 

 is medium in size, is blocky of form, and usually carries a well- 

 sprung and deep rib with strong heart girth. The legs are small 

 and show more refinement than is the case with some other breeds. 

 In fact typical Devons have often been referred to as deerlike in 

 character, owing to the natural refinement of the breed. 



Two types of Devons essentially exist. Those in north Devon 

 have always been of the smaller form, and beef production has 

 been emphasized with them. In south Devon, where the breed 

 is known also as the South Devon or South Hams, the cattle 

 average larger, are lighter colored, tend to be coarser, and are 

 more productive of milk, due, it is said, to the blood of Guernsey 

 cattle. These two types have been more or less intermingled, 

 but the best breeders of to-day advocate adherence to type. Pro- 

 fessor Robert Wallace in his work on the Farm Live Stock of 

 Great Britain gives a third, a special Somerset type, found in 

 north Devon. These cattle are larger, have a more droopy horn, 

 and are coarser than the north Devon type, due to the better 

 soil and climate of Somerset. As exhibited in America, the breed 

 shows at a distinct disadvantage, for in the same show ring the 

 beefy type may and does compete with the dual-purpose type. 

 Western breeders appear to favor the north Devon style, while 



