531 
THE INFLUENCE OF DEXTER CATTLE 
ON OTHER BREEDS. 
Indian agriculture is a subject of continuous interest to England. 
It affords many difficult problems, on account of the widely 
different conditions under which it is carried on. Much agri- 
cultural knowledge has been brought to bear upon it within 
recent years, but it is usually admitted that a good deal remains 
to be done. In a land where the cow is held sacred, cattle- 
breeding must always be a matter of interest as well as of 
importance ; consequently it is not surprising that from time 
to time endeavours have been made to improve the native 
breeds of cattle. As far back as 1832 a crossbred Indian 
bullock was exhibited at the Smithfield Show, and attracted con- 
siderable notice. In this case, as in other instances of crossing 
with English breeds, the typical hump over the shoulders 
common to Indian cattle was bred out. Notwithstanding 
various attempts to improve the breeds on their native runs, it 
can hardly be said that the Indian cattle have been largely 
influenced by breeds imported with that view. It may be that 
these breeds have not “ nicked in ” with the native breeds, or 
that the crossbred animal has not thriven sufficiently to warrant 
the more extensive adoption of breeds not accustomed to the 
circumstances of soil and climate which prevail in India — varied 
even as these are in that great country of mountain and plain. 
That the cattle of the country should nothave undergone greater 
transformation is the more striking when it is borne in mind 
how rapidly the cattle in the widely different climates of North 
America and the Argentine have been influenced by the pure 
breeds of England. Parts of the Argentine are as hot as some 
of the districts of India, so climate can hardly be held account- 
able for all. The prejudices and apathy of the natives are 
doubtless reasons why the animals have not been improved, for 
the natives of India appear far less inclined to place themselves 
in direct communication with the English markets than do the 
smart agriculturists of the New World. Many other causes 
might no doubt be adduced to show why the improvement has 
been so slow ; but probably one of the main reasons why the 
crossing which has been practised has not spread more rapidly 
is the want of adaptation to circumstances on the part of the 
heavy breeds of England. Given even so hot a climate as that 
of Northern Queensland, the Shorthorn thrives on its rich pas- 
tures ; so, too, will the Hereford and other heavy breeds ; but 
these are essentially the breeds of rich plains, and not of 
