94 



had just been telling of the deep snows which sometimes fall in 

 the mountains, and I asked what the cattle would do in such cases. 

 He said, " The snow generally softens after a day or two, and the 

 cattle can ivork through ii^ 



It is difficult to estimate the weight of these cattle, compared 

 with others, from Avhat I have seen of them. They are generally 

 large-bodied in proportion to their height, their legs being short 

 and the shank-bones very small. Their heads are generally hand- 

 some, and the countenance lively, but with a mild expression. 

 The best of them are decidedly attractive in their appearance. 

 When taken to the low country and supplied with plenty of nutri- 

 tious food, they become more bulky, but I had no opportunity to 

 see what would be the effect of breeding them for several genera- 

 tions in a milder climate and on a better soil. 



I could not generally obtain reliable statements in regard to the 

 yield of milk or butter of these cows. In several instances where 

 they were kept, in the low country, it was stated that they would 

 give, per day, ten imperial quarts of milk, which would afford a 

 pound of butter — certainly a large product, considering the size of 

 the animal. It is stated that Mr. Crosby of Ardfert Abbey, near 

 Tralee, obtained in his herd, ranging for seven years in succes- 

 sion from twenty-eight to eighty cows, mostly Kerries, an average 

 of 1,952 quarts of milk in a year, which yielded a pound of butter 

 to eight quarts — or 244 pounds per cow annually, and that one 

 pure Kerry cow in the herd, gave 2,725 quarts of milk in ten 

 months. 



I purchased for Arthur AV. Austin, Esq., collector of the port 

 of Boston, five two-year-old Kerry heifers, and a bull of the same 

 breed, which arrived here, after a very long and boisterous pas- 

 sage, in November last. The bull, however, was so much ex- 

 hausted that he died a few days after his arrival. The others 

 are at Mr. Austin's farm in West Roxbury, and are doing well. 

 Another Kerry bull has been ordered for Mr. Austin, which it is 

 hoped will reach here in June next, so that through Mr. A.'s ex- 

 ertions it is believed the breed will be fairly introduced, and sub- 

 jected to such thorough trials as will settle the question in regard 

 to their usefulness here. 



I may mention in this connection, that I also sent to Mr. Aus- 

 tin a three-year-old heifer, bred in one of the Shetland islands. 

 This breed is noted for its hardihood, fine quality of beef, and 

 rich milk — the latter afforded in moderate quantities. It is some- 

 Avhat larger than the Kerry, but not so large as the Kyloe or 

 West Highland, and is quite distinct in character from either — 

 having short horns, a deep and rather narrow body, and a coat 

 like soft wool. The breed probably came originally from Norway, 

 as the Shetland islands were formerly possessed by that kingdom. 



These are the British breeds which are considered specially 



