264 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The short-horns are of every color between a rich creamy- 

 white and a deep red. Commonly, however, they bear the two 

 colors pied or blended into every imaginable shade of roan. 

 Other' colors than red or white, simple or in one of these com- 

 binations, are marks of impurity of blood. No black or brown 

 hair is to be found on a well-bred short-horn. 



The horns of this breed are short and thick, of light color, 

 clear and waxy. They are not delicate and graceful, like the 

 horns of the. Devon, but rather clumsy, turning towards one 

 another, and often drooping low. The neck is delicate and 

 clean ; brisket large ; chest wide and deep ; back straight and 

 broad ; form well spread and symmetrical, capable of sustaining- 

 great weight of carcass. The skin is mellow and covered with 

 soft hair. As handlers they are preeminently fine. 



The short-horn matures very early, and attains great size. 

 The beef is of fine quality, and they tallow largely. The 

 weights attained by animals of this breed are enormous. A 

 three-year-old heifer, fed on grass and hay alone, weighed one 

 thousand two hundred and fifty pounds. A calf seven months 

 old weighed four hundred and seventy-six pounds. A four-year- 

 old steer, fed on hay and turnips, dressed one thousand eight 

 hundred and ninet} 7- pounds ; and we constantly see recorded 

 weights of short-horns not less astonishing.* 



The short-horns are as a breed remarkable for their milking 

 properties, though some families surpass others in this respect. 

 That all do not milk equally well is probably owing to the va- 

 riety of systems observed by breeders. A herd in which milk 

 is only desired as food for calves is not unlikely to fall off in 



thousand dollars for eight short-horns, paying one thousand guineas in England 

 for the bull Grand Duke, and prices in proportion for other animals. Mr. Thome 

 is a gentleman of large fortune, and doubtless finds a gratification in the possession 

 of the finest animals in the world ; but even he would hardly have made such an 

 outlay had lie not been convinced that the value of the animals would warrant the 

 investment. Mr. Thome may not himself realize great profits from this operation, 

 but the benefits which the country will derive from his enterprise are incalculable. 

 The descendants of his short-horns will be spread far and wide, and long be rc- 

 garded as a monument to the liberality and public spirit of an enlightened Amer- 

 ican gentleman. 



* The young bull shown by Mr. Alden at our recent exhibition was fifteen 

 months old, and weighed one thousand three hundred and twenty pounds. 



