32 A HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



for the young grass seeds, first from frost and then 

 from the burning rays of the sun. 



It is also common practice in Herefordshire to 

 lay the land down to the coarser-growing kinds 

 of grass and clover seeds for mowing the first year, 

 grazing two or perhaps three or four years follow- 

 ing, and then plowing again for the ordinary rota- 

 tion of cropping. This is considered a good plan, 

 as the land gets a rest during the time it is laid 

 down, and the amount of feed obtained by this 

 method is in excess of that produced by permanent 

 pastures. Speaking of the quality of the Here- 

 fordshire grass the veteran English breeder Mr. 

 John Hill says in "The Breeder's Gazette" for 

 May'-15, 1907 : 



^^'I am not aware that the grass in Herefordshire 

 is better or richer than in many other of our Eng- 

 lish counties or in Wales or Ireland, but I do know 

 that some parts of the country where some of our 

 best herds of Herefords are located and which have 

 been celebrated throughout the history of the breed, 

 are especially adapted for bringing out its very best 

 characteristics; and -that if cattle are taken from 

 these favored spots on to weak poor land, and are 

 expected to thrive equally well, there will follow dis- 

 appointment, and some deterioration in size and 

 bloom. In such cases with judicious assistance in 

 the shape of artificial food the cattle will carry flesh 

 and thrive, yet there is generally a loss of size and 

 general richness of character which can only be ob- 

 tained where the pasture and surroundings are alto- 

 gether favorable." 

 Persistency Rewarded.— What the tenant farmers 



