THE EXTERMINATION OP THE AMERICAN BISON. 455 



but little, if any, of its length, density, and fine, furry quality. The 

 horns are decidedly cow-like in their size, length, and curvature. 



Regarding the general character of the half-breed buffalo, and his 

 herd in general, Mr. Bedson writes me as follows, in a letter dated 

 September 12, 1888: 



"The nucleus of my herd consisted of a young buffalo bull and four 

 heifer calves, which I purchased in 1877, and the increase from these 

 few has been most rapid, as will be shown by a tabular statement far- 

 ther on. 



"Success with the breeding of the pure buffalo was followed by ex- 

 periments in crossing with the domestic animal. This crossing has 

 generally been between a buffalo bull and an ordinary cow, and with 

 the most encouraging results, since it had been contended by many that 

 although the cow might breed a calf from the buffalo, yet.it would be at 

 the expense of her life, owing to the hump on a buffalo's shoulder; but 

 this hump does not appear until several months after birth. This has 

 been proved a fallacy respecting this herd at least, for calving has been 

 attended with no greater percentage of losses than would be experienced 

 in ranching with the ordinary cattle. Buffalo cows and crosses have 

 dropped calves at as low a temperature as 20° below zero, and the 

 calves were sturdy and healthy. 



"The half breed resulting from the cross as above mentioned has 

 been again crossed with the thoroughbred buffalo bull, producing a 

 three quarter breed animal closely resembling the buffalo, the head and 

 robe being quite equal, if not superior. The half-breeds are very prolific. 

 The cows drop a calf annually. They are also very hardy indeed, as 

 they take the instinct of the buffalo during the blizzards and storms, 

 and do not drift like native cattle. They remain upon the open prairie 

 during our severest winters, while the thermometer ranges from 30 to 

 40 degrees below zero, with little or no food except what they rustled on 

 the prairie, and no shelter at all. In nearly all the ranching parts of 

 North America foddering and housing of cattle is imperative in a more 

 or less degree,* creating an item of expense felt by all interested in cattle- 

 raising; but the buffalo [half] breed retains all its native hardihood, 

 needs no housing, forages in the deepest snows for its own food, yet be- 

 comes easily domesticated, and consequently needs but little herding. 

 Therefore the progeny of the buffalo is easily reared, cheaply fed, and 

 requires no housing in winter; three very essential points in stock- 

 raising. 



" They are always in good order, and I consider the meat of the half- 

 breed much preferable to domestic animals, while the robe is very fine 

 indeed, the fur being evened-up on the hind parts, the same as on the 

 shoulders. During the history of the herd, accident and other causes 

 have compelled the slaughtering of one or two, and in these instances 



* On nearly all the great cattle ranches of the United States it is absolutely impos- 

 sible, and is not even attempted. — W. T. H. 



