94 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



strengthened by the importations of the Scotch type. As a 

 result, the typical pure-bred Shorthorn as found to-day in 

 America as a rule has no claim whatever to be called a dairy 

 animal. In a few localities the original dairy qualities have 

 been preserved, and it is still possible to find first-class dairy 

 animals in this breed in these localities. Within recent years 

 there is an apparent revival of interest in the milking qualities 

 of this breed, and a number of herds of pure-bred Shorthorns 

 are now to be found where all cows are milked and records of 

 individual production kept. 



Form and Characteristics. The Shorthorns vary in type 

 from the extreme beef conformation to the dual-purpose, with 

 a few of real dairy form. The latter are exceptional, and not 

 typical of the breed in America. Shorthorn cows of the 

 milking types weigh usually between 1200 and 1350 when 

 mature. A typical cow of this type loses considerable flesh 

 when in milk ; when dry they fatten rapidly, and show much 

 more of the beef characteristics. 



Red, white, and roan are the typical Shorthorn colors. 

 In disposition they are quiet and gentle. The calves of this 

 breed weigh from 70 to 90 pounds at birth, and are strong 

 and vigorous. In size and vigor the calves are exceeded by 

 the Holstein and Brown Swiss breeds only among those 

 commonly used for milk. 



Dairy Characteristics. While the Shorthorn breed is not 

 counted among the dairy breeds, still enormous numbers of 

 grades of this breed are milked, especially in the butter-pro- 

 ducing states of the Mississippi Valley. 



The available yearly records of pure-bred Shorthorns 

 owned by American experiment stations show the following 

 averages : 



