BREEDS OF CATTLE 225 



these cattle to Albany, New York. Mr. Sotham did much 

 to make the breed popular in this country during the middle 

 of the nineteenth century. 



About 1875, men in lUinois, Indiana, and the West, who 

 owned a great deal of land, became interested in the Here- 

 ford. Since then these cattle have become very popular 

 in the grazing sections of the West, and are found in large 

 numbers beyond the Mississippi, although choice breeding 

 herds are to be found in Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, and 

 Illinois. Recently the Hereford has obtained an important 

 foothold in the Gulf Coast states east of the Mississippi. 



The characteristics of the Hereford are very marked. 

 The color is its most striking feature, the head being white, 

 as is often also the top of the neck, the breast, brush of the 

 tail, and legs below knees and hocks, the rest of the body 

 being red. The red color varies from light to dark, the pre- 

 ference being for a bright cherry red. The skin at the 

 muzzle should alwaj^s be of a clear flesh color. The white 

 head, which is short from muzzle to eye, often somewhat 

 dished of face, and crowned with beautiful, forward curving 

 waxy-white horns, represents the ideal for stamina, sex char- 

 acter, and feeding capacity. In size and weight the Here- 

 ford closely resembles the Shorthorn. Hereford cattle are 

 conspicuous for their wide backs, deep bodies, and short 

 legs. They frequently show considerable dewlap and 

 brisket, and have beautiful smooth shoulders. The hind 

 quarters, however, tend to be somewhat narrow and rough. 

 They are noted for their hardiness and adaptability to all 

 sorts of grazing conditions, thriving well with the least grain 

 and shelter. The heavy curly winter coat of hair and thick 

 mellow skin gives the Hereford protection which other breeds 

 lack in an equal degree. Hereford cattle mature early and 

 are noted for baby beef production, attaining 1,000 to 1,200 

 pounds when well fed, at less than two years of age. In the 

 market Hereford steers are popular with buyers, and kill 



