6 
Irish Agriculture. 
breed would answer better, and he accordingly commenced with 
it, but has latterly used Angus bulls. The result has been that 
the tenants on the estate are much satisfied with the cross of the 
polled bulls on their small cows, as it produces nice hardy 
cattle, which fatten readily when put on fair pastures, making 
good beef, and therefore much liked by the butchers. The 
crosses weigh about 40 stones imperial, when 2J or 3 years old, 
whereas the cows which produce them rarely exceed 32 stones 
imperial when fat. The success which has attended Air. Owen's 
use of polled bulls for the improvement of cattle in mountain 
districts, should stimulate others who are similarly situated to 
follow his example. 
The Ayrshire breed exists chiefly in Ulster and in the County 
of Cork. Some have crossed the Ayrshire with Shorthorn bulls, 
and have thus given size without materially lessening the value 
of the breed for dairy purposes. Those who follow this system 
do not approve, however, of going bevond the first cross. A 
gentleman who has had considerable experience in Ireland, of 
crossing- the Avrshire with the Shorthorn, told me that he 
found the milk of the cross-bred cows produced more butter than 
that of the pure Ayrshire, but that the latter produced most cheese. 
A breed of cattle called the " Dutch " is found in the county 
of Cork, where it is much esteemed for its milking properties. 
The cattle are large-framed animals, with somewhat of the Short- 
liorn cast about their head as well as ,in other points. The 
colours are black and white, the latter not in spots but in decided 
patches, extending generally from side to side, just as if a white 
cloth had been thrown over a black animal. The cows give 
from 24 to 30 quarts of milk daily, of fair quality in point of 
richness. 
Such is a brief sketch of the history of cattle-breeding in 
Ireland ; and, from what has been stated, it will be seen that 
Irish cattle are now, for the most part, allied to the Shorthorn 
breed. This alliance has, of course, led to a material improvement 
in Irish cattle, but there still remains much to be done i^;i that 
respect. One of the greatest obstacles is the use of cross-bred 
bulls. These bulls are got cheap, that is, they cost little money, • 
while in reality tliey are dear at anv price ; and, wlien let to 
cows, only a shilling or two is charged for their services. Hence 
it is not unusual to find farmers losing a day's work of a man 
by sending him with a cow to a bull, for which eighteen-pence or 
two shillings ?i\c charged, rather than use a well-bred animal at 
their own door, because they wf)uld have to pay perhaps five 
or ten shillings for liis service. They do not take into account 
that the calf of the well-bred l)ull will, when a year old, be worth 
doulde the value of the calf got by the mongrel sire. They only 
