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CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



CATTLE IN THE SIMCOE DISTRICT. 



EEPORT BY COMMERCIAL AGENT JAMES. 



The principal breeds of cattle here are the Durhams and the Durham 

 grades, and some Ayrshires to a limited extent. The best method of 

 exportation, and the one mostly followed, to the United States from 

 this section is by rail to Buffalo, and to the old country they go princi- 

 pally by rail to Montreal and Quebec, thence per steamer. The animals 

 mostly exported are Durhams or Durham grades, on account of size 

 of carcass. The prices of fat cattle vary according to demand, bring- 

 ing from 3 to 5 and 6 cents per pound, live weight. For thoroughbreds 

 the prices range from $100 to $1,000, and often prices that seem fabulous. 

 The number of cattle in the county of Norfolk, Ontario, in which my 

 district principally lies, is somewhere in the neighborhood of 25,000, the 

 largest percentage of which are grades. About 40 or 50 per cent, are 

 bred for the dairy. The stock, I think, has slightly decreased, owing to 

 the ship ments to the United States and the old country. The supply is 

 in excess of the home demand. As regards the breeding of thorough- 

 bred Durhams it is found that animals of superior breeding are raised 

 here, and are annually bought up at very large sums and exported, and 

 have been able to carry away prizes from those bred at home. I have 

 had all the answers, as far as possible to obtain them, given in the in- 

 closed lists, and trust that such may prove satisfactory. 



HENRY M. JAMES, 



Commercial Agent. 



UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL AGENCY, 



Simcoe, December 7, 1883. 



Special statistics concerning cattle in the Simcoe district. 



Durham and Durham grade : These are largo stock, of rod or roan color ; originally 

 from England, and have been bred pure for many years. Weight of meat at maturity 

 s abont one- fourth lees than live weight. In Durhams the following strains are good 

 milkers: " Isabellas," "Rose of Sharons,"and "Sanpariels, " and in grades any of their 

 issue. 



Ayrshire's : This breed is of medium size, red and white in color; originally from 

 Scotland, and have been bred pure for many years. Weight of metit at maturity one- 

 fourth less than live weight. They arc good milkers, and excellent for butter and 

 cheese. 



This district is in Norfolk County, Ontario. 



Topography, fyc : Altitude: 140 feet above Lake Erie, or from 700 to 716 feet above 

 sea level. Moan temperature : 1875, 43.2 ; 1876, 46. 4. Soil : One-half sandy and clay, 

 one-eighth clay, and three-eighths sandy, &c. Substratum: One-eighth limestone, 

 three-fourths clay and sand, and one-eighth gravel, &c. Timothy and clover are the 

 cultivated grasses. 



Sousing, feeding, fyc: Cattle are generally kept in stalls in stables. Cut hay and 

 straw with chop, &c., and roots, such UN turnips, mangels, and beets are fed. They 

 are either thoroughbred, or in case of grades bred to thoroughbred bulls. 



