43G 
Management of Cattle. 
thick anil flesh almost as hard as a wall ; and speaking from ex- 
perience, I know no animals more unprofitable to graze either 
on pastures or in yards. They are sometimes designated South 
Devons, and are to be met with in Cornwall and in parts of 
Somersetshire, as well as in Devonshire. It is from their experi- 
ence in cattle of this description that many graziers, who liave 
never tried the right sort, are heard to condemn the Devons as 
unprofitable stock for the farmer to purchase. Amongst the 
most eminent breeders of pure North Devons may be mentioned 
Mr. George Turner of Barton, near Exeter; Messrs. Quartley of 
Molland, Devon ; Mr. Thomas Fouracre of Durston, Somerset- 
shire ; Mr. Thomas Umbers of Wappenbury, near Leamington; 
the Earl of Aylsford, and the Earl of Leicester of Holkham. 
Besides these two descriptions there is another of a mixed 
breed, a cross between North Devon bulls and the cows of the 
rough animals just described. In many instances the produce is 
very good, and some most useful cattle of this sort may frequently 
be purchased at the large Devonshire fairs in the spring. 
The richness of Devonshire cream and butter is almost pro- 
verbial, and although the North Devon cows are not great milkers, 
yet the quality is so good, they will produce almost as much 
butter per cow as most other breeds. 
The general average of Devonshire dairies is one pound of 
butter per day for each cow during the summer months, or as 
long as they are well kept, and some of the best will occasionally 
produce more. 
Though accustomed to the fertile pastures of their native 
country, the Devons will bear transferring to inferior soils, and 
to colder and more exposed situations, without suffering in the 
slightest degree. Thus upon the bleak coast of Norfolk, and 
upon light and inferior pastures. North Devon cattle are found to 
thrive rem.arkably well, and to sustain their flesh upon very 
indifferent keeping. 
For working purposes the Devons are unrivalled; and no 
description of cattle with which I am acquainted can be at all 
compared to them, either for quickness of step, endurance, or 
pluck. There is almost as much difference in working between 
a Devon ox and other breeds as we find in the light, cleanly, 
active cart-horse, and the heavy, hairy-legged, sluggish dray- 
horse. For feeding purposes the pure North Devons possess 
every qualification — kind flesh and lightness of offal ; and although 
they do not attain the great weights of some other breeds, they 
will fatten at a very early age. They may be made quite fit for 
the butcher at from two years and three months to two and a half 
jears old, and will at that age weigh from forty-four to fifty 
stone (14 lbs. to the stone). If kept to three years old, or a 
