EFFECTS OF CROSS-BREEDING 11 
The Buffalo begins to shed its faded and weather-beaten 
winter coat of hair in March, and during April, May and 
June it presents a forlorn appearance. The old hair hangs 
to the body like fluttering rags, and at last, when it finally 
disappears, the body is almost bare. At this time the flies 
are very troublesome. By October the new coat is of good 
length and color, and in November and December it is at its 
finest. The animal is then warmly clad for the worst storms 
of winter, and the shaggy head is so well protected that the 
animal faces all storms instead of drifting before them. A 
bull Buffalo in perfect pelage is an animal of really majestic 
presence, and is far more imposing in appearance than many 
animals of larger bulk but with less hair. 
The calves are born in May and June, and at first are of 
a brick-red color. This coat is shed in October, except in 
the case of calves born late in the season. 
The flesh of the Buffalo so closely resembles domestic 
beef of the same age and quality that it is impossible for any 
one to distinguish a difference. 
Interesting as have been the experiments made by Mr. 
C. J. Jones and others in the cross-breeding of Buffaloes and 
domestic cattle, it is now quite time that all such experiments 
should cease. It has been proven conclusively that it is im- 
possible to introduce and maintain a tangible strain of Buffalo 
blood into the mass of western range cattle. This is admitted 
with great regret, but, inasmuch as it is absolutely true, the 
existing herds of Buffalo should not be further vitiated and 
degraded by the presence in them of animals of impure blood. 
The presence of domestic blood in an adult animal is 
