44 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



BOOK I. 



yield of exceedingly rich milk, especially as the Longhorn is reputed a 

 small consumer, should appeal to the pocket as strongly as the wild 

 majesty of the type appeals to the imagination, for these are days in 

 which utility is appreciated, and they are days in which we cannot 

 afford to let slip a robust and hardy breed of cattle like the Longhorn." 



THE WELSH BREEDS are, in the present day, classed as North and 

 South Wales or Anglesey and Castlemartin cattle. There can be little 

 doubt that they are descendants from the indigenous cattle of Britain ; 

 any difference in the type of the two classes being satisfactorily explained 

 by the different management and crosses with other breeds which have 

 been practised in the two districts. Wherever a herd has been 

 managed with any regard to breeding true to the recognised type, the 

 animals are almost entirely black in colour, a little white being 

 occasional!}' seen about the udders of the cows. Where careful 

 breeding is neglected, a variation in colour to a red or blackish-red 

 commonly occurs ; or again the variation may be to a more or less 

 white general colour with black points, closely resembling the semi- 

 wild cattle of Chillingham and Chartley Parks. 



Local writers have, at various times, multiplied the number of classes 

 indefinitely, but without further justification than what local fancy, or 

 absence of all care in breeding, may have brought about. It is recorded 

 that wild cattle existed in the more inaccessible parts of the Principality 

 at various times, one writer in the reign of Elizabeth stating that they 

 were then hunted in the more mountainous parts of Pembrokeshire. 

 In all probability these would have been more correctly described as 

 escapes which were roaming in a semi-wild state over the mountainous 

 land. There is much evidence to prove the close relationship of the 

 Welsh to the North Devon and Sussex cattle, which means probably a 

 common origin ; these three breeds having nearly all points in 

 common, the exception being that whilst black has been the colour 

 bred to in the Welsh, it has been red in the others. In days now past 

 all three breeds were equally celebrated for their agility and strength, 

 whether in plough or cart. 



Good specimens of Welsh cattle (figs. 10 and 11) are exceedingly well 

 proportioned and clean, with easy and elastic movement. Of the suitable- 

 ness of the breed to the locality and conditions there can be no question, 

 nor can there be any question of their merits. They were favourites with 

 Bakewell, who considered them as nearer to perfection, in some points, 

 than any other, except his own improved breed ; and many of our 

 graziers inherit his predilection. When fat, the weight of their quarters, 

 at four years old, occasionally runs up to eleven score pounds. They 

 are very quick feeders, and thrive well when brought into rich pastures, 

 making excellent beef, whilst the cows are generally fair milkers. 



Disregard of all breeding rules by many occupiers leads to large 

 numbers of nondescript cattle being brought to market, which are 

 commonly referred to as Runts ; but they are far from being so 

 despicable as might be supposed from the epithet which is applied to 

 them, for they support themselves upon the hardest fare, thriving 



