Polled Aberdeen and Avgus Cattle. 
383 
some time before they are weaned ; and after weaning the aUow- 
ance is increased. Young bulls are generally allowed 1 or 2 lbs. 
of linseed-cake daily, along with turnips and fodder or grass, until 
they are sold, at the age of from twelve to eighteen months. 
Heifers are similarly treated, except that they get less cake. In 
fact, in many cases they never taste cake after they have got 
beyond the stage of calves and until they commence to breed. 
Most breeders give their cows 2 or 3 lbs. of cake, or some 
equivalent, for a few weeks before and after calving ; while 
stock bulls are always well fed during their active season. Some 
serve heifers when they are about eighteen months old, but the 
prevailing plan is to delay serving another six months. Too 
early breeding undoubtedly checks the growth of animals. I 
also think it would be advisable not to work yearling bulls quite 
so heavily as they are at present. 
V. — Further Improvement of the Breed. 
Great as has been the improvement in this breed of cattle 
during the past half-century, I think there is room for still 
further improvement. I should desire to see fully maintained 
its natural characteristics — in form, in hardiness, in the produc- 
tion of beef, and in other respects ; and I should also welcome 
well-directed efforts to ameliorate the milking properties of the 
breed, and to impart to its leading families a little more true 
high-bred character than they at present display. As has been 
stated, the breed is not reputed for its good milking powers. 
While, as a rule, it is rather better in this respect than it is 
generally understood to be outside the circles of its admirers, 
it is undoubtedly not so useful in the dairy as is desirable, or 
as it ought to be. We have seen that a century ago the breed 
was renowned for its milking properties, and I have no doubt 
that its old reputation might, by patient and systematic efforts, 
be revived in a comparatively short period of time. The 
improvers of the breed have aimed chiefly at the develop- 
ment of beef-producing properties, and have thus allowed the 
milking powers to become slightly impaired. I do not believe 
that beef will cease to be a profitable product on British farms ; 
but it must be admitted that dairy produce has come to have 
a higher comparative value than beef. It is therefore very 
desirable that breeders of Polled cattle should direct their atten- 
tion to the developing of the lacteal properties of their herds. 
They should be careful to select bulls from cows and families 
that milk well. 
Another point worthy of special attention by breeders of 
