Cattle for Western Ranges. 99 



On bench lands, or second bottoms — which are excel- 

 lent for grass —the Devons, the perfection of muscular full- 

 ness for beef- value, are well fitted to supply vital growth, 

 and enduring vigor, in beginning a nucleus of a middle- 

 sized breed, by crossing, as was long ago shown in the ex- 

 cellent red cattle of " New England," and in similar cattle 

 in detached herds in many parts of the country. 



The most vital character is the most enduring, and no 

 breed has marked its descendants more permanently or 

 successfully, or in better color, than the Devons. On ac- 

 count of somewhat smaller size, but fuller muscles, the 

 Devons are more active than the Herefords, and can gather 

 their feed from a wider extent of grazing ground. In mus- 

 cularity and hardness there is, however, no great difference 

 between Herefords and North Devons. 



Let it be added, however, that small or " fine" heads 

 will seldom be found, and ought not to be, in either breed, 

 as heads that are smaller than in fair proportion to general 

 size indicate weak breathing power and a languid circula- 

 tion, the breathing channels leading through the bones of 

 the head to the nostrils being small, and indicating too 

 small lungs and reduced breathing capacity in cattle of 

 any breed having too fine heads. 



It is necessary that cattle should be — as sheep in Eng- 

 land and Scotland long have been — adapted in size to the 

 character of the country where they are to subsist ; small- 

 ish, active breeds — like the Devons, Gallowaya,''and Kyloes 

 — being most suitable for scant feed, in uneven and hilly 

 localities. In such conditions, active, smallish cattle may 

 be profitable, when large breeds could not be successfully 

 sustained or bred. Accordingly, the Galloways — some- 

 what famous from being resQrtfidJq by Colling toinyigor- 

 ate sOTie of his Short-horns — with their thick skins, great 

 vigor, strong forms, and excellent breeding power, seem 

 suitable, from their full muscularity, which has long been 



