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CATTLE 



The milking qualities of the West Highland are not important, 

 for the cows are milked usually by the calves only. The milk, 

 however, is rich in quality. 



Crossbred or grade Highland cattle are best suited to condi- 

 tions where food is scarce and winters rough. Highland bulls on 

 native Western-range cows would furnish hardy stock, but it is not 

 likely that it would meet with a favorable reception from buyers, 

 compared with the present very acceptable Hereford, Angus, or 



Fig. 132. Ceathernach Buidhe (719), first-prize M'est Highland bull at show of the 



Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, 1891 and 1892. From photograph 



by Charles Reid, by courtesy of Breeders' Gazette 



Galloway grades. The claim is made by excellent Scotch authori- 

 ties that West Highland cows cross well with bulls of most of 

 the British beef breeds. Where food is abundant and the. climate 

 not too severe such a cross may be advisable. On the more ele- 

 vated Scotch hills, however, where winter exposure is great, the 

 crossbred progeny will not do so well as the pure-bred. Such 

 crossbreds could not be expected to have the hardiness of the pure 

 stock. Referring to crossbreeding Mr. Cameron states ^i 



A good many years ago the Earl of Camperdown experimented considerably 

 with various crosses on his property near Dundee, Scotland. Putting a Short- 

 horn bull to well-bred Highland cows, he had splendid calves, which throve 

 '^Breeders' Gazette, October 23, 1913. 



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