186 THE WORLDS MEAT FUTURE 



texture and of good quality. The breed cannot be surpassed 

 ood feeders, bu1 they are usually slower in growth than 

 the beef breeds, and this alone can account for the fact that 

 they have never become popular throughout the country. 

 In \'e\\ England, in parts of the south, and in a few other 

 States the Devon has proved profitable, especially on lands 

 where the grazing was rather scant or of poor quality. They 

 are pit potent ; good calves are produced when good bulls are 

 mated with common cows, and such calves usually make fair 

 milkei b. 



Brahman or " Indian " Cattle 



Under the names of ■• Brahman," "Indian," or " Zebu "cattle 

 are classified a number of different strains of cattle of the Species 

 Bos indicus. Some of these strains vary so in type, colour, 

 size and habitat that they are classified as separate breeds. 

 The most important breeds of. these cattle are the Krishna 

 Valley and Hissar. These cattle are classed as dual-purpose 

 animals, as many of the females give a good quantity of 

 milk. They are used quite generally in India as milch cows, 

 and are more satisfactory than any other breed of cattle 

 under the severe conditions of drought, heat, insect enemies, 

 etc. 



As these cattle have been iaised for more than three thou- 

 sand years in a hot climate, they are only suitable for warm 

 country. Although they are of a different species from our 

 common breeds of cattle, they cross readily with them. The 

 females of this breed carry their calves somewhat longer than 

 other cattle, the period of gestation being about three hundred 

 days. 



The oil Mc.i cted by the sebaceous glands of the skin is of a 

 peculiar odour and gives the skin a soft, oily feeling. This 

 peculiarity, combined with the scant covering of hair and the 

 extremely tough hide, affords these animals considerable pro- 

 tection from ticks, mosquitoes, etc. Cattle ticks do not bother 

 the purebred cattle at all, and few of the half-breeds become 

 infested to any appreciable extent. 



These cattle stand the heat well, and have great endurance, 

 moving readily in a fast walk or trot. They make the best 



