212 The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 
this time he has devoted his attention mainly to the establishment 
of a pure white colour in his herd ; and having successfully accom- 
plished that, he now intends to look more than he has hitherto 
done to the form and quality of the animals. There is every 
prospect of all the bulls he can rear being purchased at fairly 
remunerative prices. At present he sells them, when from six 
to twelve months old, at from 20Z. to 25/. a head. 
But to return to the Charolais breed. The hair is short and 
sleek ; body well-balanced and cylindrical ; head short and thick ; 
horns rather long, white, wide, and rising towards the point ; 
muzzle white ; eye large and bright ; countenance pleasant ; hind- 
quarters broad, but slightly deficient and rough on the rump ; 
ribs fairly sprung ; back a trifle slack ; chest broad and pretty 
deep ; shoulders rather big. The race has all along been 
regarded as one of the best for work in the country, and it has 
been very extensively used for that purpose. It is therefore 
natural to expect that, despite the so far successful efforts that 
have been made to improve the breed, slightly coarse shoulders 
should still remain one of its characteristics. The tail is not 
neatly set on, indeed it comes out too soon ; from the hooks 
backwards there is a need of making up ; the thighs should 
come down a little further ; the back should be broadened a 
little, and the ribs slightly better sprung ; the bone is big, and the 
head a trifle clumsy ; and the quality is not exactly what could 
be desired. As a rule these defects were much less apparent 
among the females than among the males, and still less among 
some of the younger females, in which latter a likeness to the 
Shorthorn was easily recognised. A comparison between some 
of the older cows, which were pointed out to us as being the 
truer specimens of the old Charolais breed, and a few young 
females showed an unmistakable leaning towards the Shorthorn 
type. Some of the heifers, for instance, displayed as neat heads 
and horns as any breeder of cattle could wish to see, and had 
also finely laid-in shoulders, well-sprung ribs, moderately even 
quarters, fine bone, and excellent quality. It is asserted as the 
main objection to the extensive use of Shorthorn bulls among 
the Charolais breed that the influence of the Shorthorn impairs 
the working powers of the Charolais. As to that we are 
scarcely prepared to speak positively ; though we are inclined to 
think that i.he improvement which the Shorthorn bulls effect in 
regard to the production of beef, should be at leas.t equal to any 
loss which might be caused in working power. An animal 
with good beef-producing qualities, and fair working powers, 
should be more valuable to all interested in it than one good for 
work and fair for beef. We have seen few breeds of cattle 
better fitted for crossing with the Shr)rthorn than the Charolais. 
