Farming in Devon and Cornwall. 
527 
breed of the locality, is totally distinct from the North Devon, 
or its larger neighbour the Somerset Devon, though it is be- 
lieved to have descended from the " Rubies." Its form and 
characteristics are, however, entirely different, and even its 
colour is several shades lighter than that of its supposed 
northern progenitors. The contrast between the two breeds 
was, perhaps, never more apparent than during the parade of 
the prize animals in the Plymouth Show Eing. Certainly the full- 
grown South Hams bull followed the young heifer calves of the 
northern race ; but, for all that, he filled the eye at once, and 
looked a veritable giant compared with the compact and neat 
little sires that had preceded him. Authorities differ very much 
as to what is the correct type or colour of the South Hammer, 
and the absence of a herd-book militates against its breeders or 
admirers arriving at definite conclusions thereon. The animals 
are a large-framed and useful race, with excellent milking 
qualities, and an aptitude, when arrived at maturity, for putting 
on flesh rapidly. But as young stock they are not attractive, 
developing too often the " razor-back " and light-yellow colour 
of the Guernsey, with which the breed has apparently at times 
been crossed. 
A critical eye can at once detect that the occasional rough 
and sloping quarters, the upturned and round horn, the long 
plain head with prominent eyelet, and the light-yellow hairs are 
due to such a cross, though many years may have elapsed since 
it was made. Mr. Tanner, in 1845, called the breed a distinct 
one, but condemned ' ; the careless mode of breeding then 
adopted as removing all hope of improvement." He then goes 
on to mention that it was a frequent practice to keep one 
Guernsey cow to every 10 or 1 2 Devons,to improve both the quality 
and appearance of the milk produced. Probably these Guernsey 
cows would be served by a South Ham bull, and the progeny 
be retained for further breeding. Then the succeeding genera- 
tions would get so mixed up with the local breed that it could 
hardly be distinguished or severed from it. The establishment 
of a herd-book would prevent future repetitions of this, though 
it might be at the expense of gradually losing the milking 
qualities which the cross has undoubtedly added. For milk the 
present race cannot be surpassed — 24 quarts daily is no un- 
usual quantity for a South Hammer to give. The breed has 
been much improved during the last fifteen years, mainly by 
a more careful and judicious .selection of the sires used; but 
there is room for more general attention to this matter. 
Breeders of the South Hams scout the idea, however, of revert- 
ing to the " North Devon," and vice versa ; though, if the good 
