THE UNITED KINGDOM. 



203 



The following table shows the live weight of two of the heaviest ani- 

 mals in each class, but not necessarily all prize winners, as in many 

 instances the prizes went to the lighter animals : 



Highlanders (any age) : 19 cwt. 1 qr. 1 Ib. ; 17 cwt. 2 qrs. 18 Ibs. ; 14 cwt. 5 Ibs. ; and 13 cwt. 2 qrs. 

 10 Ibs. 

 Welsh oxen (any age) : 22 cwt. 1 qr. 6 Ibs., and 19 cwt. 3 qrs. 2 Ibs. 



Special excellences. After making special remarks on the merits and 

 demerits of the various British breeds of cattle which are recognized 

 by the Eoyal Agricultural Society of England and protected by herd- 

 book records, there are incidents and freaks of nature which are in 

 some degree calculated to mystify the opinions of the inexperienced. 

 For instance, there is the enormous weight of the Devon oxen, which 

 is not characteristic of the breed. The same thing occurs in Welsh 

 Runts. The pure Devon is a small, compact, hardy animal, of fine 

 quality, medium milker, of rich quality. The Hereford is of large size ; 

 good grazer ; inferior in milk yield. The Shorthorn, great size, good 

 grazer, superior milker. The Aberdeen, compact, with good size ; good 

 grazer and medium milker. The Galloway, slightly smaller than the 

 Aberdeen, but very compact in form ; medium milkers, of rich quality. 

 The Highlander, small and compact ; milk rich, and fair quantity for 

 size, but not often used for dairy purposes ; they are bred on the hills, 

 run together and reared in the same manner as mountain sheep j their 

 beef is of the finest quality. The Ayrshire, small-sized, bred for dairy 

 purposes, in which they excel ; good grazers, but, as very few steers 

 are kept, little is said about the quality or weight of beef. The Jersey, 

 small, deer-like ; gives rich milk and fine quality of butter 5 no preten- 

 sions to beef- producing. The Welsh, useful dairy animals ; over me- 

 dium size; milk, rich; vary according to food and treatment; not so 

 rich and graceful in general appearance, but a good, sound, hardy ani- 

 mal. The Sussex, great size, fair milkers, good grazers ; lor this breed 

 there are great hopes of further distinction. The Longhorn, large 

 frame, hardy, and good grazers ; formerly good butter and cheese pro- 

 ducers. The Norfolk Pollie, thick, chubby animals ; good dairy cows 

 and grazers, but do not possess that graceful figure that characterizes the 

 Northern Follies ; it seems to be fighting its way to greater popularity ; 

 some attention has been paid to them by foreign buyers. The Guern- 

 sey belongs to the same group of islands as the Jerseys, and possesses 

 the same dairy properties, giving a little more milk, and is heavier in 

 carcass, but plainer in form. 



