70 
Shorthorns  in  Scotland  and  Ireland. 
confined  to  various  isolated  localities,  but  during  the  past  fifteen 
years  it  has  made  a rapid  advance,  and  extended  in  all  directions. 
Before  well-bred  sires  were  introduced  into  the  north,  the  cattle 
of  the  district  sold  at  very  low  prices,  yearlings  about  4/.,  and 
two-  and  three-year-olds  about  11.  a-head.  At  the  present  time 
the  cattle  of  the  corresponding  ages,  in  lean  condition  of  course, 
bring  on  an  average  about  81.  and  14/.  respectively.  Of  this 
handsome  increase,  fully  30  per  cent,  is  usually  attributed  solely 
to  the  use  of  Shorthorn  bulls. 
From  northern  agriculturists  a great  deal  of  interesting  infor- 
mation has  been  received  as  to  the  extent,  nature,  and  value  of 
the  improvement  effected  by  Shorthorn  bulls  upon  the  common 
stock  of  the  country.  There  is  remarkably  little  variety  in  the 
testimony.  In  no  case  has  a good  Shorthorn  bull  failed  to  pro- 
duce from  common  cows  animals  greatly  superior  to  their  dams  ; 
and  in  many  instances  stocks  of  cattle  nearly  equal  in  value  to  the 
butcher  to  pure  bred  Shorthorns  have  been  reared  from  small  ill- 
shaped, old-fashioned  cows,  by  the  sustained  and  skilful  use  of 
good  Shorthorn  bulls.  It  is  generally  estimated  that  the  produce 
of  good  pure-bred  Shorthorn  bulls,  and  the  ordinary  cows  of  the 
present  day,  will  bring  as  yearlings  or  two-year-olds  from  21. 
to  5/.  a-head  more  than  if  the  sire  had  been  cross-bred,  even 
although  in  the  two  cases  the  feeding  and  all  other  circumstances 
had  been  similar.  The  stock  of  the  pure-bred  sire  would  usually 
be  almost  as  well  matured  at  two  as  that  of  the  mongrel  bull  at 
three  years  old.  Moreover,  while  the  latter  would  often  be 
difficult  to  dispose  of  at  anything  like  fair  value,  the  improved 
Shorthorn  crosses  always  find  willing  purchasers. 
Mr.  William  Jeffcott,  land  agent,  Londonderry,  states  that 
many  instances  have  come  under  his  observation  of  tbe  great 
advantage  to  be  derived  from  the  use  of  Shorthorn  bulls.  The 
following  is  a good  sample.  A tenant  holding  a fair-sized  farm, 
upon  which  he  kept  twelve  pretty  fair  dairy  cows,  and  reared 
the  calves  each  year,  had  for  many  years  used  very  bad  bulls,  so 
that  for  his  yearlings  he  could  not  obtain  more  than  hi.  a-head. 
After  a good  deal  of  persuasion,  Mr.  Jeffcott  induced  him  to  try 
the  service  of  a Shorthorn  bull.  A yearling  of  good  colour, 
large  size,  and  plenty  of  substance,  was  selected  by  Mr.  Jeffcott, 
and  his  first  crop  of  calves  showed  a great  improvement  over  the 
tenant’s  former  lots,  the  bullocks  as  yearlings  realising  81.  10s. 
a-head.  The  heifers  were  retained  for  breeding;  and  ever 
since  the  farmer  has  continued  to  use  a good  Shorthorn  bull. 
At  present  his  dairy  cows  are  a very  excellent  lot,  and  last  year 
(1832)  he  sold  his  yearling  bullocks  at  12/.  a-head — 11.  more 
than  he  obtained  before  using  a Shorthorn  bull.  He  now  takes 
great  interest  in  his  stock,  and  feeds  them  well.  On  the  same 
