226 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



its jurisdiction) during the years 1882 and 1883. Of the different breeds 

 comprised in this return it is impossible to give the proportions, though 

 cattle of mixed breeds largely predominate. 



GENERAL INFORMATION CONCERNING- CATTLE IN IRELAND. 



I return herewith the printed form which accompanied circular of 

 July 18, 1883, with the blanks filled so far as 1 have been able to 

 obtain the requisite data. Dr. William K. Sullivan, president of the 

 Queen's College, Cork, who is considered the first authority on the sub- 

 ject of inquiry in Southern Ireland, and to whom I am indebted for the 

 principal topographical and scientific facts (including the list of grasses), 

 remarks in sending the same to ine : 



Our farmers are so little accustomed to such numerical and accurate details tliat I 

 assure you it is very difficult to give such information. The details about the breeds 

 of cattle have been given by Mr. James Byrne, J. P.,"Wattstown Castle, Shanbally- 

 more, County Cork, one of the most experienced agriculturists in the county, and one 

 too who had the advantage of scientific training. The information about the geology 

 could, as you will at once see, be only general, and I have accordingly written it 

 across the columns. 



Mr. Eichard J. Maxwell Gumbleton, J. P., Glanatore, Tallow, County 

 Waterford, a successful breeder and exporter of Shorthorns in South- 

 ern Ireland, has been kind enough to famish some expressions of opin- 

 ion as well as information on various points referred to in your instruc- 

 tions. Mr. Gumbleton states that the best method of exporting cattle 

 from the south of Ireland to the United States is by shipping them 

 from the ports of Cork or Waterford via Liverpool to any port of our 

 country. There are, he says, very valuable herds of Shorthorns in 

 Ireland, and the bulls from these herds he has no doubt would pay well 

 for exportation to the United States. The only other breed peculiarly 

 good, Mr. Gumbleton says, are the Kerry cattle, which are very pretty 

 (small in size .and black) and very good milkers. The Shorthorns in 

 Ireland are altogether bred for dairy purposes, the mixed breeds being 

 reserved more for the* butcher. Latterly the breeding of stock in the 

 south of Ireland is on, the increase, and the supply is very much in ex- 

 cess of the home demand ; in fact the stock-breeders of Ireland live by 

 exporting vast numbers of cattle every year to England and Scotland. It 

 would, therefore, in Mr. Gumbleton's opinion, be highly undesirable to 

 export cattle from the United States to Ireland for dairy uses or for the 

 purpose of the butcher j in fact, sending cattle to Ireland would be 

 somewhat like u sending coals to Newcastle." His experience is that 

 cattle, as a rule> if circumstances be favorable, greatly improve by ex 

 portation, and he would willingly use an American-bred bull, if well- 

 bred, and think the fact of his coming from America a good recom- 

 mendation. He doubts if the imported Shorthorns in the United States 

 are superior to the best herds in England and Ireland, and he strongly 

 suspects there are a greater number of first-class Shorthorns in England 

 and Ireland than there are in the United States. He believes, however, 

 that most breeders would be glad to have a change of blood, provided 

 the animals were well-bred, and he considers such a change would be 

 attended with satisfactory results to all concerned. 



Mr. Eichard Good, Aherlow, County Cork, an extensive and success- 

 ful cattle breeder and exporter, has in reply to questions given the fol- 

 lowing information in connection with the cattle trade : 



The best animals to export to the United States are Shorthorns, and Pedigree Short- 

 horns can be had as low as 40, and as high as 1,000, or more, each. Kerry cattle 

 are also very good, and these are attracting more attention than they did formerly, 



