564 CATTLE AND DAIEY FARMING. 



Topography : Altitude, very little above the level of Lake Saint Clair, which is about 

 570 feet above sea-level. Mean temperature for 1882 was 44. A very small difference 

 is noticeable in a record of thirty years. Mean for June, July, and August, 64.3; 

 December, January, and February, mean 23.1. 



Soil : Twenty per cent, alluvial; clay-loam, 39 per cent., in some places 3 to 8 feet 

 deep ; clay, 16 per cent., 3 to 4 feet deep ; 25 per cent, sandy loam and gravelly. 



There is absolutely no soil or substratum in this locality which can properly be 

 designated as stony. There is considerable lowland and some marshes not tit for 

 growing grain. Most of the land has a heavy yellow or blue clay substratum ; can- 

 not state the per cent., but by far the greater area may be thus classed. A small 

 part of the soil near the lakes is light, and has gravel or sandy soil as a substratum. 



Cultivated grasses: Timothy, 40 per cent. ; clover, 40 per cent.; grass, &c., 20 per 

 cent. The principal grass crops are timothy and clover, some corn for feed broad- 

 cast, and a small quantity of various grasses ; large quantities of wheat and oat straw 

 are fed in winter. 



Methods of housing, 'feeding, $c. : Most cattle have run of barn-yard and straw-stacks, 

 and are only housed when being stall-fed. Open sheds (a square usually) afford them 

 good shelter. In some places young stock are badly neglected in the matter of housing 

 (vide the plan inclosed). No system of feeding ; young stock are allowed to feed them- 

 selves, and attention only begins (save with fine animals) when it is intended to fat- 

 ten them. The most approved breeders cross the best attainable of male thorough- 

 breds on common or grade cows. No bull is suffered to go to his own progeny. A 

 second or third cross is preferred to a first. 



Handling products: No trouble; plenty of buyers, who are always traveling the 

 country to make up cargoes for British markets and local butchers, keep up the 

 prices. 



CATTLE IN PRESCOTT, ONTARIO. 



REPORT BY CONSUL SLAGHT, OF PRE SCOTT. 

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VARIOUS BREEDS. 



The production of a superior class of cattle, such as are found among 

 the best herds in this consular district, has been successfully accom- 

 plished by a careful selection and use of thoroughbred bulls only, and 

 experience has proved that the Durham and Hereford stand pre-emi- 

 nent, the Hereford being the larger and capable of attaining to a higher 

 standard in weight as beefing stock. But for smallness of bone and early 

 maturity the Durham is the favorite, and apparently more numerous. 

 The Durham bull is serviceable for breeding purposes at fifteen months. 

 The Ayrshire, or a well selected Canadian cow served by a Durham 

 bull, produces excellent results, giving a high grade of animal, com- 

 bining most desirable qualities for the dairy and also for beefing 

 stock. It is, however, by good feeding and proper housing that any 

 preference is claimed for the Durham ; if the animals are exposed to 

 cold and hardship, or insufficiently fed, the Hereford will surpass his 

 competitor. The cows at present comprising these herds are largely 

 of the Ayrshire strain, and under judicious management the average 

 product of milk per cow is 5,000 pounds during the season, and when 

 made into cheese 10 pounds of milk is required for 1 pound of cheese, 

 500 pounds of full cream cheese being placed to the credit of each cow 

 in the herd annually. For richness of milk the prize is conceded to the 

 Jersey cow. The special excellence of this herd is maintained by the 

 use of a thoroughbred Durham bull, and 20 per cent, more butter is 

 claimed for this herd from a given quantity of milk over any other herd 

 in this district. The Canadian cow is-placed by competent authorities 

 here as having been originally imported from Xormandy. These were 

 good milkers, arid partook very much in appearance of the Jersey and 

 Alderney breeds. By. cross breeding they are now classed at one-fourth 



