British Cattle, Sheep, Horses, and Pigs 35 



mind that the distribution of domestic animals is 

 largely determined by the distribution of grass lands. 



The richest pastures are found in low-lying regions, 

 particularly in those districts where the rainfall is high, 

 and from what has been said about British climate 

 we are not surprised to find the chief cattle -rearing 

 districts in the rainy lowlands of the west. Reference 

 to government returns shows that cattle are most 

 important in Ireland, and in ihe counties of Cheshire, 

 Somerset, Ayr, Renfrew, and Wigtown. In the low- 

 lands, therefore, it is meadow now that takes the place 

 in rural life formerly occupied by forest; and the 

 location of the cattle -rearing districts is an excellent 

 example of the control of occupations by climatic 

 conditions. 



There are many native breeds of cattle in our 

 country, but by far the most important is the " Short- 

 horn," which, originating in the north of England, is 

 now the most widely distributed at home, and is also 

 of world- wide renown. The " Shorthorn " adapts itself 

 easily to any climate, soil, or condition of management, 

 and is suitable for milk-producing or beef-producing 

 purposes. 



The Jersey cattle are so named because they were 

 originally bred in the island of Jersey. They give 

 very rich milk and are excellent dairy cows. The 

 " Guernsey" cattle are something like the Jersey breed ; 

 indeed, "Jerseys" and "Guernseys" were formerly 

 known as "Alderneys," from the fact that Alderney 

 was the general shipping place to England and France 

 from the Channel Islands. The "Sussex" cattle are red 

 in colour, and were once bred for the butcher and for 

 purposes of draught. In recent years their milk-giving 



32 



