CHAPTER XXIV. 



DESCRIPTIVE NOTES OF THE MORE IMPORTANT 

 BEEF BREEDS. 



The Shorthorn breed of cattle originated in northeastern 

 England, in the counties of Durham and York. In gen- 

 eral this is regarded as a beef breed, although certain 

 tribes especially given to milk production are regarded as 

 dual-purpose, and termed dairy or milking Shorthorns. 

 The color is variable, being either red, white, or red and 

 white in spots, or roan, the latter being a commingling of 

 red and white hair without forming solid color. In size 

 this is one of the large breeds, mature bulls weigh 1,800 

 to 2,200 pounds, and even more, with 2,000 a desirable 

 standard. Cows at maturity should weigh in ordinary flesh 

 1,400 to 1,500 pounds. Assuming the Shorthorn to be a 

 good representative of the beef type, it has certain long 

 recognized characteristics. The horns are waxy yellow in 

 color, comparatively small and short, curving in at the 

 tips. The muzzle should be flesh-colored, though smutty 

 or dark muzzles are not uncommon, but are objectionable. 

 The shoulders tend to be somewhat prominent and bare, 

 and frequently a deficiency back of the shoulders is to be 

 seen. Yet in most cases the rib is widely sprung, and the 

 body shows ample thickness and depth. The hindquarters 

 are conspicuous for their thickness and fullness of rump 

 and thigh. Shorthorns are easy keepers, fatten easily, and 

 tend to get patchy about the sides and tail head. The 

 females of this breed produce milk more abundantly than 

 those of other beef breeds. In fact, the females of the 

 so-called milking Shorthorn tribes often have large udders 

 which yield heavily. It is not remarkable for a milking 



265 



