The Management of a Shortliorn Herd. 
407 
state, but beyond this there is little mecldlinsf with Nature's 
powers. 
The calves are reared hardilv, lyings indoors the first winter, 
afterwards out in the fields, without a shed for shelter, only good 
thick hedges, the natural defence of the hill, well wooded, and 
their own thick coats of hair, to screen them from the storm ; 
while on the ground the snow often lies to the depth of eight 
or ten inches. 
The heifer-calves intended for show arc, of course, generously 
reared, and comfortably housed as they grow older, while those 
not meant for exhibition are " roughing it " in wind, rain, or 
snow, behind the hedges. The most valuable animals in the 
herd, belonging to families not obtainable without large outlay 
of money, are never put in training for show, but always brought 
up in the hardy manner described. The show animals may 
breed, and some of those most successfully exhibited have 
bred with remarkable regularity ; but the training for exhi- 
bition unquestionably endangers the reproductive powers, and 
Mr. Ackers is too well aware of the importance of robust and 
healthy constitutions to subject to any weakening process the 
animals upon which mainly he relies for the maintenance of a 
first-rate herd. The heifers, generally, are kept in a fairly 
liberal way as regards their food ; some have been rather under- 
kept, but the rule is to stimulate growth of frame and develop- 
ment of flesh (not of soft fat wliich sometimes puts in an appear- 
ance for flesh), by such treatment as will bring the heifers 
forward without a check. Forcing and stunting are extremes 
equally to be avoided. Much the same rule applies to the 
young bulls as to the heifers, subject to variation of detail. The 
bull-calves have sufficient milk and dry food to maintain their 
growth and keep them in nice even flesh, so that as yearlings 
they are fit for use, either at home or elsewhere ; and there are 
not afterwards those back-reckonings with Nature which must 
be met sooner or later where forced growth has laid an excessive 
tax upon her powers. As a precaution against quarter-evil, the 
calves are setoned. 
The theory of the management of Lord Fitzhardinge's herd at 
Berkeley Castle is that Nature has given a constitution which 
Avants support ; and the practice therefore is to keep liberally, 
never to allow gi'owing animals (as we should say of growing 
plants) to flag, but to endeavour to keep them strong, healthy, 
robust, with plenty of mellow flesh all the time of their growth. 
The land lies on clay, a stiffish clay, in the valley of the Severn, 
and is mainly alluvial deposit. Being generally flat and not 
much above the level of the river, it is unsuited for winter 
pasturage ; heavy cows would tread it all to mud and injure 
