550 CATTLE AND DAIKY FARMING. 



that their favorite was the neplus ultra of a beef animal and that any 

 attempt to equal, much more surpass, Ifc was simply ridiculous. The 

 Herefords came, however, and they came to stay, and in the last few 

 years have so pressed the Shorthorns for their laurels that it has long 

 since ceased to be a matter for mirth with the Shorthorn men. As 

 nearly as I can get at it, the comparative merits of the breeds are about 

 like this: The Shorthorn is the better for stall feeding, the Hereford for 

 grazing. The Shorthorn breeders generally concede this. I doubt if 

 the Hereford breeders will concede anything. The Herefords on the 

 college farm are reported as follows : 



This breed lias exhibited a very clear and steady line of conduct all throughout- 

 No trouble in breeding and no petting required. Tlie Hereford is a good mother, 

 second only to the Devon in our experience, and ahead of its dangerous compeers, the 

 Shorthorn and Aberdeen Poll. We have been charged with partiality and lack of prac- 

 tical experience in cattle life by one of our American critics — especially in comparing 

 Herefords and Shorthorns. This is not true, and I trust -will never be so. As respon- 

 sible to a liberal Government and guiding a grand country ifc is above all things our 

 religious duljy to report jqst how it is in every case — no coloring, no exaggeration, 

 and no understatement of anything whatsoever. To say more is unnecessary ; to say 

 less would savor of want of interest. The Hereford, I repeat, has shown a uniformity 

 in conduct quite exceptional along with the Devon; without grain winter and sum- 

 mer, bran expeptcd, and the usual treat after calving, the Hereford keeps fat on 

 pasture and in stable, never falling off, even when suckling. Greedy enough, no 

 doubt — down to the horse manure — not a specialty, as showing a want of something, 

 but a consistent looking out for number one. We have no breed, as a whole, nor in- 

 dividuals among breeds, that can touch the Hereford iu maintaining flesh on pasture. 

 * * * The fattening steer from the Hereford bull and Canadian [native] cow is 

 qnite characteristic. The marking is strong and unquestionable. The build is a 

 Hereford iu almost every detail, the pig ham (as age advances), the round, compact 

 barrel, longish rumps, deep twist, and the general low, chunky sot of the whole 

 animal. 



The Herefords have been gaining very rapidly in form for the last 

 few years, and are now in great demand as stock bulls on the ranches 

 and in the great herds of the plains. One prominent Hereford breeder 

 says iu a private note to ine: 



Within less than one year there have been five new breeders of Herefords added to 

 the list in my immediate vicinity. The demand both here and iu the West is increas- 

 ing very fast. 



Another, a breeder of both Shorthorns and Herefords, writes : 



My impression is (although a Shorthorn breeder) that the Hereford cattle are the 

 best grazers of any breed, particularly for the Western States— i. e., they will make 

 more good beef on pasture quicker than any other breed ; of good constitution ; suited 

 lo the Southern as well as the Western States. They are yearly in greater demand. 

 If wo had fifty times as many, they would sell in the Western United States. In the 

 last four years more Herefords have been imported into Canada from England than 

 any other breed. 



The Hereford is invariably red, with a white face. They numbered 

 iu the province in 1882 seventy bulls and two hundred cows. 



THE CANADIAN DEVONS. 



if'or a medium-sized beefing breed, with a fairly good dairy attach- 

 ment, the Devons haVe their admirers. They are a very handsome race 

 of cattle, deep red, with fine shapely horns, and of a very uniform ap- 

 pearance. For working oxen they are unequaled, being always well 

 matched, strong, and active. They are hardy and hearty. The report 

 of them from the Agricultural college is as follows : 



The remarkable feature of the Devon with us has been a uniform conduct no 



coming and going in anything, but an even run of breeding, health, and good doing 

 under all conditions. Summer and winter the Devon i a equally at home nlnm p on 



