PREFACE. V 



their capability of improvement ; and through the persevering 

 efforts of such men they have been raised to a degree of per- 

 fection, value, and popularity, far beyond any other of the 

 known bovine races. The money value of well-bred Short- 

 horns now in the United States alone, may be safely estimated 

 at several millions of dollars. They are worthy of a history, 

 and a better one, too, if possible, than is here presented ; but 

 there having appeared no other, this must suffice until an abler 

 and more painstaking pen shall replace or supercede it. 



This effort has been a labor of love chiefly, for in its limited 

 sale anticipated only among Short-horn breeders no pecuni- 

 ary profit can result from its publication. Having been for many 

 years connected with the compilations of the American Herd 

 Book, and so many questions continually arising touching facts 

 and incidents in their previous breeding, (perhaps better known 

 to the author through his several hundreds of correspondents 

 than to almost any other,) he has been convinced that these 

 cattle should have, as they well deserve, as full a history as can 

 be given of their race. The book makes no pretension to 

 literary merit. It is a plain subject, treated in a plain way, 

 and in the hope that it will be understood by all who may look 

 into its pages. Omissions, both of fact and date, there may be, 

 on the detection of which fastidious critics may carp and con- 

 demn. If such there be, we advise them to go forthwith to 

 work and get up a better. Without further apology or excuse 

 for its shortcomings, it goes forth to the public. 



It is proper to say in this connection, that both the first and 

 second volumes of the American Herd Book contain consid- 

 erable matter (written and edited by the author of this work) 

 relating to Short-horn history, as then understood. But the pres- 

 ent work supercedes all that, as further sources of information 



