LIVE STOCK IN AUSTRALIA. 155 



3qrs. 161bs.; Devon, IScwt. 2qrs. 271bs.; cross (shorthorn 

 and polled), 27cwt. It will thus be seen that this short- 

 horn polley cross topped the shorthorns and Herefords by 

 nearly 4cwt. and the Devons by nearly S^cwt. 



Crosses. By this term is not meant the indiscriminate 

 use of two or more varieties of cattle in the same herd, 

 with the hope of ultimately establishing a fixed breed 

 midway between the two. Any attempt in that direction 

 will result, as it has always done, in disappointment. 

 Between certain breeds, however, a first cross produces a 

 better animal for the butcher than even the very best pure 

 varieties, but it does not follow that a cross between two of 

 the largest varieties will result in the production of the 

 loeat and heaviest ox. On the contrary, experience has 

 shown that a cross between the shorthorn and Hereford, 

 although these are individually the two most valued 

 breeds, does not equal the cross between the shorthorn and 

 Devon, and is far inferior as a butcher's ox to a first-class 

 cross with the shorthorn and Highland cattle. But 

 unquestionably the most valuable cross, both for the butcher 

 and breeder, is that between a shorthorn bull and the 

 Aberdeen black-polled cow. A reference to the reports of 

 the Smithtield Club experiences show that this cross has 

 reigned supreme for many years, not only as regards weight 

 and the small proportion of bone and offal ; but the flesh 

 which is beautifully marbled, is superior to any other 

 known class of cattle, and they are therefore held in the 

 highest esteem in the London market. 



To Succeed with Cattle. They all require rich feed 

 and plenty of it. This means good country, helped by 

 cultivation, which in turn means quiet cattle which can be 

 handled without wasting. 



Live and Dead Weights. An average of dead to live 

 weight of cattle is 57 per cent, in an ordinary fat beast. This 

 percentage is frequently largely exceeded in stall-fed cattle 

 some having given as much as 71 per cent, of dead to live 

 weight ; but for ordinary bush fattened Australian cattle, 

 57 per cent, is fair. In very fat cattle, an odd one of 

 which may be found in most mobs, the percentage may 

 reach 60; occasionally, 61-62. 



