88 THE OX AND THE DAIKY 



good workers, strong and active, and are ready at the age of 

 four or five years for the market, arriving early at maturity. 

 Great numbers of these cattle are sent to the London market, 

 A similar but superior breed of cattle occupied Glamorgan- 

 shire, generally of a red or a brown-red colour, often with 

 white faces, and otherwise varied with white. The head was 

 small, the aspect lively, the neck inclined to be arched, the 

 carcass round and well turned, the back rising to the root of 

 the tail, which was peculiarly elevated. The aptitude to 

 fatten, the early maturity and docility of the oxen, and the 

 fineness of the beef, rendered the Glamorgan breed highly 

 valuable ; and no beasts sold at a higher proportionate rate 

 in the London market. Fifty years ago they were purchased 

 by the great feeders in Leicestershire, Warwickshire, Wilt- 

 shire, and other counties ; and George the Third had a va- 

 luable and well-selected stock on his farm at Windsor, which 

 was often recruited by fresh accessions from the native dis- 

 trict. Glamorganshire was then a noted cattle district ; but, 

 during the war, the farmers neglected their cattle for the 

 plough : they commenced raising corn, alternating the crops 

 with turnips, and increasing the stock of the sheep. The 

 result was that the cattle speedily degenerated, and were no 

 longer sought after. Nor is it until recently that serious ex- 

 ertions have been made to restore the breed . to its pristine 

 excellence by intelligent and spirited individuals. Crosses 

 with the Hereford were tried, and, at first, with some show of 

 success ; but soon, after one or two generations, the defects 

 of the Glamorganshire strain reappeared. Crosses still more 

 unlikely to succeed were tried ; till at length one with the 

 Ayrshire bull was attempted, and the result has been suc- 

 cessful. This mixed breed is equal in hardiness to the old ; 

 the oxen are good workers, arid fatten readily ; the beef is 

 admirable ; and the cows yield more milk than did those of 

 the old stock. This improved breed is becoming extended, 

 though it meets a rival in the pure H'erefords, which are, by 

 some breeders, preferred, and by some still used to cross the 

 Glamorgan. In the more hilly districts the old Glamorgan 

 breed suffered less deterioration than in the vales ; but it is 

 there subject to poor and scanty food. In summer the pas 

 turage is bare and meagre, and in winter the only resource is 

 wretched hay from the peat lands ; consequently the cattle 

 are small and stunted ; yet they produce excellent beef, and, 



