THE KERRY 



305 



The Kerry as a beef producer may rank high as to quahty, but 

 low as to quantity. The general evidence in behalf of the breed, 

 notably the Dexter, is that 

 the beef is of superior 

 quality, and that the steers 

 dress out remarkably well. 

 The true Kerry, however, 

 being of the dairy type, 

 produces a class of beef 

 of minor importance at 

 best. A few steers of the 

 breed are usually shown at 

 the Smithfield Club Show 

 in London each year, com- 

 ing in a special class for 

 small cross-breds. At the 

 1901 Birmingham Fat 

 Stock Show the first- 



FiG. 136. La Mancha Union Jack 37, a noted 

 Dexter-Kerry bull, two years old, standing 

 about 36 inches high, that was champion 

 at the Royal Agricultural Society Show at 

 York, England, in 1900. Photograph by 

 the author 



prize Kerry weighed 840 pounds at eighteen months old. 

 The grazing value of the Kerry is very high. This breed has 



been developed under adverse food conditions, and thrives on com- 

 paratively poor rations. It well 

 serves the purpose of furnishing 

 the poor Irish laborer a maximum 

 of return for a minimum of ex- 

 penditure. 



The hardy character of the 

 Kerry is famous wherever the 

 breed is known. During the en- 

 tire year it is necessary for the 

 Irish cotter's cow to adapt herself 

 to conditions of privation, includ- 

 ing the inclemency of winter. 



The maturing characteristics 

 of the Kerry are of an inferior 

 order. As bred in Ireland Kerries 



grow slowly, the cows producing the iirst calf considerably later 



than with other breeds. Dr. Miles states that in Ireland heifers 



Fig. 137. A Dexter- Kerry cow at the 

 Royal Agricultural College, Ciren- 

 cester, England. Photograph by 

 the author 



