CATTLE. 141 



cle about it, and the same colour prevailing on the 

 inside of the ear. The muzzle is orange or yellow, 

 while the rest of the face has nothing of black, or 

 even of white about it. 



The peculiar excellence of the Devonshire ox is a 

 quickness of action in working, which few horses 

 exceed, and which no other c.iUie can equal. They 

 have also a degree of docility and goodness of tem- 

 per, and stoutness and faithfulness for work, to 

 which many teams of horses cannot pretend. Mr. 

 Youatt, who is great authority on the subject of cat- 

 tle, thus describes their usual mode of treatment and 

 aptitude to fatten : 



" The Devon steer is put to work at about two 

 years old ; they are worked until they are four, five, 

 or six, are then grazed or kept on hay. and in ten or 

 twelve months, without any farther trouble, are fit 

 for market. If the grass is good, no corn, or cake, 

 or turnips arc required for the first winter ; but of 

 course, for the second winter, these must be added. 

 The grazier likes this breed best at five years old ; 

 and they will usually, when taken from the plough, 

 fetch as much money at this age as at six. Lord Som- 

 erville states that, after having been worked lightly 

 on hill land for two years, at four years old they 

 are brought into the heavy land of the vales, and 

 used at hard work till six ; and what deserves con- 

 sideration is, an ox must be thus worked to attain 

 his largest size. If he is kept idle until he is five or 

 six, he will invariably be stinted in his growth. Mr. 

 Youatt adds, that in their disposition to fatten, very 

 few cattle can rival them. They do not, indeed, at- 

 tain the great weight of some breeds, but in a given 

 time they acquire more flesh, and with a less con- 

 sumption of food, and their flesli is beautiful in its 

 kind. It is of that mottled, marbled character so 

 pleasing to the eye and to the taste." 



As to the value of the Devon cow for the dairy, 



