184 CATTLE 



by Jupiter, bred by J. Clark. The history of these cows is insep- 

 arably associated with Shorthorn fame in America. Importations 

 were also made in 1835 and 1836, and on October 29, 1836, 

 occurred the most important Shorthorn auction sale held in 

 America, when this importation was sold off and the herd closed 

 up. Forty-three animals sold for $34,540, an average of ^803.25. 

 The formation of the Ohio Company was one of the notable steps 

 in American Shorthorn history, although later numerous other 

 companies were organized for the importation of the breed. 



Shorthorn characteristics. Having traced briefly the influences 

 surrounding the development of the Shorthorn, a consideration 

 of the characteristics of the breed is here appropriate. In gen- 

 eral conformation the Shorthorn adheres closely to the beef type, 

 though certain tribes, notably Bates bred, tend strongly enough 

 to milk production to be known as general purpose cattle. In size 

 mature cows usually weigh about 1400 pounds, though they fre- 

 quently exceed that and in rare cases reach 2000 pounds. The 

 mature bull will easily attain 1800 to 2000 pounds ; many weigh 

 from 2000 to 2200, and weights upward to 2500 pounds occur, 

 though the latter is infrequent. This may be regarded as our 

 largest breed of cattle, although the Hereford is a close second, 

 and may be considered by many as its equal in weight and size. 

 The following points especially apply to the cow. The horn is 

 variable, but is always comparatively small and short, and prefer- 

 ably curves forward, with the tips bending inward or upward. In 

 color a waxy yellowish tint is preferred, though blackish tips are 

 not debarred. The head should be lean and shapely, and short 

 from between the eyes to the muzzle, which should be flesh color 

 and broad, with large nostrils. A dark or blackish muzzle is 

 distinctly objected to by most breeders. The 7ieck should be 

 short, and be neatly attached to the head, and blend smoothly 

 into the shoulders. Shorthorn shoulders tend to be a bit promi- 

 nent and bare. They should be well laid in and smoothly covered 

 with flesh. Back of the shoulders the crops and fore flanks are 

 often deficient, and lack of heart girth is a frequent criticism of 

 the breed. Superior animals show a body that is very broad of 

 back, strong of loin, and so prominent of rib as to give a large 

 girth and digestive capacity of the first order. The flanks before 



