3G MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



render it remunerative to the farmer, as well as useful to the 

 great mass of consumers ; and the raising of beef and mutton 

 has become a very important and well-regulated branch of hus- 

 bandry. Not only have systems of economical feeding been 

 adopted, but great attention has been paid to the production 

 of animals best adapted to growth and early fattening. For 

 many years the Herefords and Devons stood in the front rank, 

 in all beef-growing districts. But it was found, as was sup- 

 posed, that the Hereford was unfit for the grazier until after 

 he was two years old, and that although he took no fat readily 

 after that period, still he was hardly a remunerative animal 

 to rear up to that age, and the profit to be made on him came 

 not to the grower, but to the feeder who purchased him for 

 stalling or grazing. The same fault was found with the Devons, 

 which, as ox labor was superseded very much by horses, be- 

 came in less demand for draught, and were found, in the end, 

 although fattening rapidly after reaching maturity, to have 

 cost more than rapid growers and early fatteners. It was 

 these considerations which induced Charles and Robert Colling 

 to select from various herds of the superior animals found in 

 tlic valley of the Tees, a choice few from which they succeeded 

 in creating the famous Improved Short-horn, which has prob- 

 ably already gained tiie highest position among English beef 

 cattle. 



From the time of the sale of Charles Colling's herd, October 

 11, 1810, up to this time, the breed has continued to rise 

 in public estimation, and the fabulous prices secured for the 

 animals, both in England and in this country, indicate a high 

 rej)utation, whether deserved or not. There seems to be no 

 doubt that they are a very profitable animal to raise in certain 

 sections, reaching early maturity, taking on fat during the 

 whole period of growth, and attaining great size. So far as 

 our observation goes, they make very superior grades, and 

 unless allowed to degenerate by scanty feeding and improper 

 care, in which case they become raw, misshapen brutes, they 

 are a valual)le ac(]uisition to almost any district. They have 

 their defects, however, as what races have not ? Short-horn 

 beef, although profitable to the producer, is not so to the 

 consumer — being coarse in texture, poorly marbled, and from 



