THE POLLED GALLOWAYS. 



65 



thinner than that of the Leicestershire, but not so fine as the hide of 

 the short-horn but it handles soft and kindly. 



The prevailing and fashionable color is black — a few are of a dark 

 brindle brown, and still fewer speckled with white spots, and some 

 of them are of a dun or drab color. Dark colors are uniformly pre- 

 ferred, from the belief that they indicate hardiness of constitution. 



GALLOWAY OX IN GOOD CONDITION, 



The breeding of cattle has been, from time almost immemorial, 

 the principal object of pursuit with the Galloway farmer. The soil 

 and face of the country are admirably adapted for this. The soil, 

 although rich is dry and liealthy. There are many large tracts of 

 old grass land, that have not been ploughed during any one's recol- 

 lection, and which still maintain their superior fertility ; while the finer 

 pastures are thickly covered with natural white clover, and other 

 valuable o-ra?ses. The surface of the jrround is irreoukr, sometimes 

 rising into small globular hills, and at other times into abrupt banks, 

 and thus forming small fertile glens, and producing shelter for the 

 cattle in the winter and early vegetation in the spring. In the low 

 districts there is little frost and snow, but the climate is mild and 



