The Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 
213 
Its defects are such as the Shorthorn is pre-eminently fitted to 
remove. No breed of cattle has ever proved itself so effective 
as the Shorthorn in the improvement of other breeds, particu- 
larly as regards the hind-quarters, head, rib, bone, and quality ; 
and these are the very points in which the Charolais need 
slight improvement. It is evident that some breeders have 
already made successful efforts in this direction. 
While justly held in high esteem for its working powers, 
the Charolais breed stands unequalled among the French 
races for its value from a butcher's point of view. The 
quality of its meat is regarded among Frenchmen as superior to 
that of the Shorthorn ; the animals grow to a great size, and 
mature at a satisfactory pace. During the last few years the 
Nivernais-Charolais animals have been carrying off the lion's 
share of the prizes at all the more important Fat Stock Shows in 
France ; and in some cases have beaten specimens of the pure 
Shorthorn breed. In his admirable work on ' The Corn and 
Cattle-producing Districts of France,' Mr. Richardson gives the 
following result of the fattening of four Nivernais-Charolais 
oxen, bred and fattened by INI. de Behague : — 
Weiglit at Age at Weight at Increase 
Birth. Sale. Sale. per Monih. 
No. 1 .. 66 lbs. 31 months. 1,478 lbs. 47f lbs. 
„ 2 .. 70 „ 36 „ 1,987 „ 55 „ 
„ 3 68 „ 37 „ 1,893 „ 51i „ 
„ 4 .. 64 „ 40 „ 2,079 „ 52 „ 
It is stated that these animals were treated from their birth 
as being intended for the butcher, and that they were fed in 
summer, in covered yards, upon lacerne, clover, and green 
maize ; in winter, in stalls, on hay, mangold, cabbage, and ruta- 
bagas. No. 1 was sold when just fat enough for the butcher, 
the others when fully matured. 
The Section filled by the Charolais breed was one of the 
most attractive in the French division, and drew large crowds 
of admirers. We fully agree with M. de la Trehonnais when 
he says that it is " in lots that the Charolais race shines out 
the best," and that, "examined separately, the Charolais, even 
the best of them, are less admirable." A finer sight of the kind 
we have seldom seen than was presented by the long rows of 
handsome pale-white Charolais cattle at the Paris Exhibition. 
In Scotland we are accustomed to see still more symmetrical 
displays of glossy blacks, but a sort of novelty hung round the 
white rows at Paris, which gave a pleasing aspect to the sight. 
In the class for bulls under two years old there were eighteen 
entries, and the four prizes and first two honourable men- 
tions went to animals from Nievre. Of the second-prize cow 
