THE UNITED KINGDOM. 



149 



than was estimated, while in the case of the-crosses a contrary return 

 was made. The following are the details: 



SECOND REPORT ON THE GALLOWAY CATTLE.* 



The Galloway breeders of England and Scotland are justifiably jealous 

 of the efforts which have been made from time to time by rival breeders 

 to depreciate their breeds, or to insinuate that their origin is of recent 

 date. There can be no doubt, however, that the Galloway is one of the 

 oldest of our pure races, and that it has been bred for many genera- 

 tions to a particular type, while it is believed to be beyond doubt that 

 they have contributed in a marked degree to the formation and improve- 

 ment of some of the other leading British breeds. At all events it is 

 known that they have entered largely in times gone by into the east of 

 England breeds, more especially in those districts which are now famous 

 for the Eed Polls. 



During the last century the Galloway was perhaps better known than 

 any other breed, for it has been very frequently described by agricul- 

 tural writers of that period as a symmetrical beast of high quality and 

 considerable beauty, and one which was adapted for early maturity and 

 rapidity in fattening as well as, or perhaps better, than any other breed 

 that was then known. This quality they have maintained to the present 

 day, and it is the more remarkable, inasmuch as the pastures upon 

 which they graze are much inferior to those in other parts of the coun- 

 try where equally famous breeds are bred and led. At the present time 

 they maintain their position for rapid growth and good feeding, and 

 they have for a long period held a leading place in the London meat 

 markets, where they are not infrequently found at a very early age, the 

 grain of the flesh being extremely delicate and rich in flavor as well as 

 finely marbled with fat. Whether or not the breed h as at any time been 

 crossed with the horned races of England it is difficult to say, and the 

 information is somewhat conflicting, the Galloway breeders entirely dis- 

 believing it, and quoting the apparently absurd results which would 

 have been obtained by the use of horned bulls, although it is forgotten 

 that in crossing horned beasts with either the Galloway or the Aberdeen 

 it is a fact that almost every animal produced comes without horns. 

 That Galloway breeders have been most skilful in their work as well as 

 in their feeding and management there is no doubt, but we should not 

 like to assert in any dictatorial manner that they, like other breeders, 



* In forwarding this second report on Galloway cattle, under date of March 15, 1884, 

 Consul Shaw says : I herewith forward with pleasure a supplemental report on the 

 Galloway breed of cattle for insertion in the able and full report which I had the 

 honor to transmit on the 19th of February. Mr. Jacues JLong, who has prepared the 

 same, thinks this additional data specially useful. 



