CHAP. I. HEREFORD CATTLE. 29 



not found equally active and hardy in the yoke ; but for grazing 

 purposes they are generally considered to be unrivalled. 



Some breeders prefer the Hereford to the Shorthorn. There is no 

 doubt of the value of the former as a rapid fattener, and a producer of 

 excellent beef, and when selected carefully it possesses good dairy 

 qualities. 



The Hereford breed were formerly in high repute for the draught 

 purposes of the farm. This purpose being, however, nearly set aside, 

 the breed are more prized for their " beef producing propensities, for 

 which their scale of form, early maturity, and aptitude to fatten, 

 render them highly distinguished." The following, according to 

 Mr. Smith, are the characteristics of the breed : " The face, mane, 

 throat, the under portion of the body, the inside and lower portion of 

 the legs, and the tip of the tail, are beautifully white ; the other parts 

 of the body a rich red, usually darker in the male than the female ; 

 the horn is white or light yellow, of a waxy appearance, sometimes 

 tipped with black. The forehead is broad, with spreading horns ; 

 those of the bull straight and level with the poll, and of the ox and cow 

 slightly curved, with an upward tendency. The eye is full, yet of a 

 massive expression, denoting the quietness of disposition and temper 

 characteristic of the Hereford, which is of paramount importance 

 to insure the profitable feeding of all ruminating animals. The cheek 

 is fine, the head small in proportion to the carcass, which is long, 

 level, and cylindrical. The hide is thick yet mellow, and well covered 

 with moderately long soft hair, having a tendency to curl. The 

 brisket is prominent, the chest well expanded, and the breed is 

 eminently distinguished for neatness of shoulder, the bone being thin 

 and flat, the kernel full up, the outside shoulder well covered with 

 mellow flesh, the chine good, the loin broad, the hips wide and level, 

 the whole back displaying a straight line, well covered with flesh from 

 the neck to the tail. The twist flank and fore flank are good ; the 

 outside thigh is perhaps the most defective part. The whole body is 

 well covered with rich mellow flesh, yielding with pleasant elasticity to 

 the touch. The legs are short, and the bone small, and the whole 

 contour displays great constitution, and exhibits, perhaps, a larger 

 proportion of flesh in proportion to bone, than any other breed." 



Mr. E. F. Wells, an authority on points connected with the Hereford 

 breed, makes the following observations on the colour and form of 

 Hereford cattle : 



" Both light and dark colours have been at different periods in 

 general estimation, as the caprice of fashion has ruled, for there is not 

 in reality any sound reason for the rejection or adoption of either 

 exclusively. Mr. Andrew Knight was favourable to light colours 

 grey or yellowish red and, as he may not be supposed to have given a 

 preference to them on purely fanciful grounds, he is known to have 

 entertained the opinion that they are the quickest feeders. The darker 

 colours were at one period much approved, and by eminent breeders ; 

 among them may be mentioned Mr. B. Tomkins. Mr. Edward Jeffries 

 had also many very dark in his herd, and a bull of his, nearly black, 



