THE GALLOWAY BREED. 321 



do not quite attain the size of oxen, but they are regarded 

 as better suited for fattening, and their beef is reckoned 

 more delicate, and brings, accordingly, a somewhat higher 

 price. The practice, however, though it may be justified on 

 these grounds, is unfavourable to the improvement of the 

 breed, by limiting the number of females, from which a selec- 

 tion may be made for breeding. 



Extensive as has been the trade in this staple production 

 of the country, it was long before any thing like attention-to 

 the principles of breeding was given by the farmers. Not- 

 withstanding the spirited efforts of individuals, the stock of 

 the country was treated with much neglect, with relation to 

 the preserving and improving of the breed. The bulls were 

 almost always defective in essential points, and an injurious 

 mixture had progressively taken place with cattle from Ire- 

 land, 10,000 and more of which are supposed to pass every 

 year through the country, by way of Donaghadee and Port- 

 Patrick. Efforts have, from time to time, been made to 

 cross the breed by the Dishley Long-horns, the Ayrshire, 

 and the modern Short-horns. These attempts, it is believed, 

 have been all failures, in so far as they were designed to im- 

 prove the general breed of the country ; and modern breed- 

 ers, with better knowledge, have turned their attention to 

 the improvement of the existing race. In this field there is 

 a wide scope for the exertion of individuals, and, if steadily 

 pursued, the system cannot but be attended with beneficial 

 results. The breed of Galloway is peculiarly confirmed in 

 its characters, and thoroughly adapted to the condition of 

 the country ; and all that is wanted to promote its progres- 

 sive amelioration, is a careful selection of suitable males and 

 females for breeding, with that due attention to early and 

 liberal feeding of the young stock, which, in every case, 

 tends to the production of superior animals. If, on any par- 

 ticular farm, another race of cattle can be reared, as the 

 Short-horns, let this stock be substituted ; but it would be 

 an error to attempt a mixture of blood with the race so 



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