FIRST CENTUPY OF DAIRYING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 



In the earlier days of the development of Australia we must treat 

 the subject of its settlement different to that of any c untr/ under 

 the sun. When Captain Phillip landed on these shores he did not 

 contemplate meeting with any opposition from the original inhabitai ts 

 nor did he. He had no intention of taking up his abode in this 

 country. He therefore left England wtjhout having on board his 

 tranships any cattle beyond those brought out by the officials for 

 private and domestic purposes. Consequently, when he had set out 

 to sea with his cargo of sorrow he had ample time for reflection. He 

 then repented over his neglect to see that provision h id not been 

 made in England for a supply of stock, which are so necessary in the 

 establishment of new colonies. He therefore commanded a number 

 oi the tranships to call at the Cape of Good Hope and obtain a con- 

 signment of stock, including cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and poultry. 

 The cattle taken on board were mostly bullocks for hau ing purposes, 

 iiml were iound of great value in forming the settlement afterwards. 

 Subsequently it was found necessary to import more cattle from the 

 Cape of Good Hope, India, Bengal, Madagascar, and St. Hclliers. 



Now, on close inquiry, it can be seen that the cattle then imp tried 

 into New South Wales were identical with the " Bos Longifrons" 

 from which Celts evoluted the majority of the present British breeds 

 V>f domesticated cattle. These animals were termed "Buffaloes" by the 

 early writers, without an attempt of any sort to describe them. It 

 would not be possible to-day to give a description of them were it 

 not for the records kept by a few of the old pioneers who understood 

 the breeds of cattle used by the people of India, the Cape of Good 

 Hope, and other places. 



The Hausi or Hissar cattle of India are described as follows : 

 " They are of medium height, their heads are broad, necks short, 

 liumps high, hips broad, and hindquarters square; they carry their 

 heads erect, and have long curved horns, inclined back .vards, and 

 thin long tails ; they are of great substance, and have lo ig bodies 

 deep wide chests, and massive and rather short legs, fairly apiirt to 

 support the carcase. The bullocks are very large and strong, and 

 <liaw great weights and heavy ploughs, but are not so fast as the 

 bu'locks of other breeds. They are generally of a nice white color, 

 but sometimes red, black, brown, or piebald ones are -iound. They are 

 handsome in appearance, and give very rich milk." 



The Nagourie are said to be natives of Nagpore, in the Central 

 Provinces in former days. These cattle are like the " Hausi" in ap- 

 pearance, but they give milk for a much longer period. 



The Nellore breed belongs to the Madras Presidency, and have long 

 been celebrated -for its milking qualities of the cows and the .ure.it 

 strength and endurance of the bullocks. The " Nellore" is gem-i 

 recognised by its form and horns. The horns are hardly ever longei 

 than from 3in. to 6in., and are inclined outward, tapering to a blunt 

 point This animal has a dull countenance and large, prominent, 

 heavy-looking eyes. Its face is short, and its forehead and muzzle 

 broad : its ears are large and lapping ; its eyes, hoofs, and tail tuft 

 are black ; it carries its head erect, and has a short stout neck rising 

 over the withers into a huge tAmp, which frequently inclines to one 

 side ; its back is short and straight ; its chest is -fairly deep and wide; 

 and its carcase compact and solid looking, with heavy dewlapfl : 

 legs are clean and massive, straight and fairly set .ipart to siipi<rt 

 the body ; its skin is line, and covered with soft shou hair. Tin- pre- 

 vailing color is white. 



The Cape of Good Hope cattle were simply offshoots of these breed,, 

 but the nature and condition of the country was to a gri-it extent 

 responsible for their ungainly looks and physical deterioration. 

 lU-ngal and Madag.i-car cattle on the other hand were larger and Del 

 ler developed, and many of the aniniaK imported here were crossed 

 with one or other ol the l'.riti>h breed-, wh eh improved them much 



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