BOS TAURUS. 



prairies and feeding-grounds of the Western States than to 

 the scanty pastures of the East. The Hereford, of which 

 some remarkably beautiful animals are to be found in York 

 State, have warm advocates both here and abroad, and come 

 in strong competition with the improved Durhams, but ex- 

 hibiting upon the whole admirable constitution and symme- 

 try. As working oxen and for the purpose of stall-feeding, 

 the North Devon cattle are most generally approved. This, 

 undoubtedly, is the prevalent stock of the country, though 

 diversified and contaminated by various mixtures. No pains 

 have been taken, by systematic efforts, by judicious selection, 

 and by perseverance in endeavors to combine the best quali- 

 ties and to eradicate or remedy defects, in order to form, from 

 what are called our native stock, a distinct and valuable 

 breed. Indeed, where the improved blood has been intro- 

 duced, it has been suffered, after a short time, to run out 

 through neglect and carelessness, or to become degenerate by 

 poor keeping. 



THE DURHAMS OR SHORT-HORNS are decidedly the most 

 showy and taking among the cattle species. They are of all 

 colors between a full deep red, and a pure cream-white ; but 

 generally have both intermixed in larger or smaller patches, 

 or intimately blended in a beautiful roan. Black, brown, or 

 brindled are not recognized among pure-bred Short-horns. 

 Their form is well spread, symmetrical, and imposing, and 

 capable of sustaining a large weight of valuable carcass. 

 The horn was originally branching and turned upward, but 

 now frequently has a downward tendency, with the tips 

 pointing towards each other. They are light and compara- 

 tively short, clear, highly polished, and waxy. The head is 

 finely formed, with a longer face, but not so fine a muzzle, as 

 the Devon. The neck is delicately formed, without dew-lap ; 

 the brisket projecting, and the great depth and width of the 

 chest giving short, well-spread fore-legs. The crops are 

 good ; back and loin broad and flat ; ribs projecting ; deep 

 flank and twist ; tail well set up, strong at the roots, and 

 tapering. They have a thick covering of soft hair, and are 

 mellow to the touch, technically termed handling 1 well. 

 They mature early and rapidly for the quantity of food con- 

 sumed, yielding largely of good beef with little offal. As a 

 breed, they are excellent milkers, though some families of the 

 Short-horns surpass others in this quality. They are inferior 



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