330 CENTRAL WALES: MIXED FARMING 



better milkers, but the differences are insignificant, as 

 has been recognized by the union of herds originating 

 from both sources in a common herd-book. The 

 Welsh cattle form one of the most valuable and dis- 

 tinctive of British breeds ; at home they are esteemed 

 for their milk, but they are chiefly known in the Mid- 

 lands of England as most profitable grazers of the 

 summer pastures. They cannot be forced like the 

 Shorthorns, and do not, as a rule, possess quite the 

 symmetry of frame of some of the more improved 

 breeds, but as big-framed stores of two to two and a 

 half years the Welsh Runts they grow rapidly upon 

 grass and begin to put on weight early in the season, 

 when other less hardy breeds would be standing still. 

 Butchers approve of them, as they die fat with a high 

 proportion of carcase to live weight, and with meat of 

 good marbled quality. Considering to what extent the 

 breed is in the hands of small men, the general quality 

 and uniformity of the stock is remarkable ; but there 

 is evidently a considerable opening for the extension 

 of the co-operative principle, which already seems 

 congenial to the temperament of the Welsh farmer, to 

 the purchase of bulls of high quality for the use of 

 groups of neighbouring farmers. Of course, there is 

 the danger of the spread of contagious abortion by 

 the bull, but we could hear little of the disease among 

 the herds of the Principality, and with due watchful- 

 ness in the organization its dissemination need hardly 

 be apprehended. Our host was chiefly a rearer, selling 

 out steers and heifers at two years old ; but he milked 

 his cows, made butter, and raised the calves on the 

 separated milk. 



He also kept sheep of the true Welsh mountain 

 breed, which with certain local variations is found all 

 over the great stretches of featureless moorland occupy- 



