540 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



been given to it. pub'ic and s])eciiic: given a recogni/.ed position that cannot bo 

 doubted. Our experience of this breed has been intimate and very satisfactory. "We 

 hold by clear and substantial evidence for eight \earsihat the Canadian cow takes 

 no m-;in place as a milker, a mot her, and a field for wide work both for beef and dairy 

 purposes. Miu-h of this is due to her distinct character in more respects than oue. 

 She is decidedly content with her average circumstances, miserable as they be at times; 

 can do as well in the bush as in the clover fields, and responds with her best when 

 tlie thermometer i> at ^eio or in>- in the shade. Her quantity of milk is not so large 

 as the Ayishire for .six weeks after calving, but far ahead in continuance, and there- 

 fore (,n an average equal : in cream it is unquestionably superior to the Ayrshire. No 

 one vsrll acquainted with tin- breeds would choose (la; Ayrshire, against the Canadian 

 where hardships and profits, under ordinary condit ions, were elements ; HO also in re- 

 gard to a common .source for cheap production of beef with Shorthorn or Hereford 

 bull : other bulls have not as ye! been suflicieni ly tried except the Ayrshire and Devon. 

 which cannot compare with these two. "While small as a heifer, the Canadian cow 

 is roomy as a breeder, and this affords field enough for such purpose. 1 am confident 

 that a proper select ioii of the milking Canadian would add immensely to the dairy 

 and heeling interests, of the ce.unirv. 



It is also in evidence that the farmers of Canada, do not as a rule, 

 take the best of care of their stock. 31 r. flolin Clay jr., a witness before 

 the commission, speaks very strongly on this subject, he says: 



I believe my remark about the farmers badly housing and feeding their cattle in 

 the winter applies generally to farmers in Canada. Their buildings are as a rule 

 drafty and cold, and the amount of food they give to their cattle is not enough to 

 keep up their frames. This practice, is very general throughout Canada. Although 

 you \\ ill lind some of our fanners who keep t heir cattle in very good condition, I be- 

 lieve the percentage of farmers in Canada who neglect the proper feeding and hous- 

 ing of their cattle is fully GU per cent. 



11. 15. KOBBIXS, 



Commercial Agent. 

 UNITED STATES COMMKRCFAL AGENCY, 



Ottawa, October 3, 1885. 



CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING IN ONTARIO. 



PF.l'ORT OF COXtUL PACK, OF POET SAKNIA. 

 Till: NATIVE CATTLE EKED OUT. 



In compliance with Department circular, under date of July 18, 1883, 

 I send here\vith such information as 1 have been able to obtain (by act- 

 ual observation and otherwise) touching the breeding of cattle in 

 Canada. For a number of years back the Canadian farmer has shown 

 commendable zeal and much ^ood judgment in the direction of the im- 

 provement of his cattle. By crossing the native cattle M'ith imported 

 breeds from Ijirope the old style of ox and co\v have nearly disappeared 

 tVdm the pastures, the distinctive features of the Shorthorn, the Gallo- 

 M ay, t he Hereford, t he Ayrshire, and other breeds are clearly observable 

 in the various farm-yards of Ontario, and in many sect ions of this prov- 

 ince purely native, cattle, would be regarded as a 'curiosity. 



CANADIAN TOLLED ANdt'.S CATTLE. 



On the .'50th of October last 1 visited the stock farm of the Messrs, 

 (leary Ilros., near London, and through the courtesy of Mr. John deary 

 I was shown the splendid herd of 1'olled Angus cattle owne'd by his 

 linn. J saw in one inclosure, arranged in such a manner as to be seen 



