No*. 149.J 233 



short horns of the present day. About the year 1750, in the 

 valley of the Tees water (Durham), commenced that spirit of im- 

 provement in the breeders of the old short horns, which has ended 

 in the improved modern breed.'' 



Many gentlemen were zealously engaged in this; among oth- 

 ers, Mr. Colling. He produced by judicious selections and cross- 

 ings, the celebrated bull " Hubhack,''^ from whom are descended 

 the best short horns of tlie present day. Of this breed were the 

 two famous Durham oxen, which long travelled through the 

 country and were shown at fairs, and were superior in weight 

 and size to any known at that day or before, (1802,) weighing 

 4,480 lbs., the largest one. 



Some of these unimproved sliort horns were crossed by breeds 

 from Galloway, Ayresliire, and other parts of Scotland, with 

 great success. The Scotch breeds are smaller, more hardy, 

 good milkers, more distinguished in this for quality than quan- 

 tity ; fatten easily, and make good beef. 



These improved Durham races have spread more or less through 

 England, Scotland, and perhaps Ireland, and improved still more 

 probably, by various crossing with the best breeds in all these 

 countries. Climate, pastures, feed, and care, geBerally, would 

 contribute towards improving them still more. Thus this famous 

 race cf Durhams progressed from generation to generation, each 

 succeeding race considerably better than the preceding, until 

 they reached the perfection of the present day. 



So with other eelebrated breeds of cattle in Great Britain, the 

 Devon, the Leicestershire, Hereford, and Alderney; some of these 

 are distinguished for milk, others for fattening as beef, and others 

 as working oxen; all, no doubt, more or less improved by judicious 

 crossings of eminent breeders at diflerent periods with some of 

 the best breeds of the three kinsdoms. 



'O^ 



Animals, and especially neat cattle, are attached to locations 

 where they have their origin ; they get enured to the climate, 

 feed, and kind of care bestowed upon them ; and these cattle 

 would be likely to be improved by ell good husbandmen, who 



