THE OX AND THE DAIRY. 75 



Except in some parts, oxen are not much used in husbandry; 

 and where they are so, the pure North Devons are preferred. 

 After working for three or four years, the oxen are fatted for 

 the markets ; and many find their way to London. 



Somersetshire is celebrated both for corn and the products 

 of the dairy. In that part which borders upon Devonshire, 

 and along the coast, the cattle are of the North Devon breed ; 

 and, having good pasturage, are usually superior in size to 

 the original stock. Those of the vale of Taunton are very 

 fine, and well suited both for the grazier and the dairy-farmer. 

 Less light than those of North Devon, the oxen have nearly 

 as much activity, are equally docile, and considerably stronger : 

 hence they are efficient workers. In other parts of the county, 

 while this breed is preferred for husbandry labour, and for 

 aptitude to fatten, another is reared for the purposes of the 

 dairy, principally of the Durham or short-horned stock, or a 

 cross between this and others. The dairy-farmers seldom 

 graze, except a few dried cows for the adjacent market; but 

 in the centre of the county, from the Mendip Hills to Bridge- 

 water on the west, and Chard on the south, grazing for the 

 market is extensively carried on. The cattle are either of the 

 Devon or Hereford strain ; they are mostly bought in Febru- 

 ary, and kept on hay till spring, when they are turned out to 

 graze, an acre or an acre and a half, according to the pas- 

 turage, being allowed to each ox. They are in condition by 

 Michaelmas : many are kept till Christmas, hay being gradu- 

 ally given, in proportion as the grass fails, till it is required 

 entirely. Great numbers of these cattle are sent to London. 

 In the south-east portion dairy-farms prevail, and the business 

 of cheese-making begins soon after Lady-day. Of the cheeses 

 of Somersetshire, the Bridgewater and the Cheddar are particu- 

 larly celebrated. Of the latter, little is made at the village so 

 named; it is chiefly in the grazing lands round Glaston- 

 bury, and at other places, as Huntspill, South Brent, East 

 Brent, &c. 



The dairy-farmers in Somersetshire usually sell off their 

 cows for fattening at the age of about twelve years, as the 

 milk then begins to deteriorate in quality, and it would be 

 unprofitable to continue them for the pail. Vast numbers of 

 calves are bred, and of these a great proportion are fattened 

 by hand from the pail, the calves being separated from their 

 dams at the age of three or four days ; those that are intended 

 for rearing are fed principally on whey, and turned to grass 



