254 



It arming of Cumberland. 



and disseminated a large number of the highest blood * in the 

 kingdom over all Cumberland. 



The prizes offered by the Agricultural Societies keep up the 

 spirit of enterprise among the breeders ; the proved utility of the 

 stock seems to set all competition of other breeds at defiance, 

 and they now appear, after the lapse of a very few years, to have 

 become the staple stock of the country. It is pleasing to record 

 the enthusiasm of the present breeders of short-horns, in pro- 

 curing from time to time, by clubs and small joint-stock compa- 

 nies, or single-handed, the very best young bulls they can meet 

 with among the first stocks in the kingdom, almost reijardless of 

 price, if the cross of blood, &c., promise success. The neigh- 

 bourhood of Penrith stands pre-eminent for the number of high- 

 bred stocks, but there are many of first-rate quality in various 

 parts of the county. 



It may be proper to put on record, that, with few exceptions, 

 the friendly competition and its attendant honour are chiefly in 

 the hands of tenant farmers or of the smaller yeomanry, and their 

 zeal and success are alike creditable to rhem. 



From time immemorial Cumberland has been a cattle-breeding^ 

 county to a large extent, sending out great numbers, formerly of 

 lean, but latterly of both fat and lean stock, every season. In 

 addition to the home-breds considerable numbers are imported 

 from Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man, for grazing purposes. 

 Not so many calves are now fed for the butcher as formerly. By 

 far the greater part of them, of both sexes, are reared. The bul- 

 locks are sold off at one, two, and three years old. The best of 

 the heifers are kept for dairy and breeding purposes, and the rest 

 fed or sold with the barren cows to the graziers of other counties ; 

 and none are found to excel them in feeding qualities. 



The produce of the dairy has always been an object of emula- 

 tion among the farmers and their families ; and, until the last few 

 years, it is singular to note so little pains have been taken to 

 combine and perpetuate that valuable union of feeding and 

 milking qualities which is evidently so desirable if it can be 

 attained. There are certainly more difficulties to contend v>'ith 

 in forming and continuing such an union, than in perpetuating 

 these excellent properties in a separate form ; but it has been 

 accomplished and kept up for several generations in the descend- 

 ants of the stock of Mr. Ferguson,t of Harker Lodge, who pur- 

 chased the high-bred originals, " Favourite," " Elvira," and 



* To sustain high breeding, access must be had to a number of good bulls. 

 Some may suit to cross one part of a herd with, and some another. Very few will 

 suit to improve the varying defects of a whole stock. 



t Mr. Ferguson is one of the oldest living short-horn breeders in the county. 



