56 Hereford Cattle. 
a well-known grazier and feeder, won first prize with a 
Hereford ox. All breeds were then shown in competition, and 
during the years this system remained in force the Herefords 
won 185 prizes against the Shorthorns 82, Devons 44, Scotch 43, 
Sussex 9, Longhorns 4, and Crossbreeds 3. 
Hereford cattle have made their way into every civilised 
country in the world, and one of the most remarkable facts 
noticeable to the student of the breed is that in England they 
have not extended their area as would at first be expected. Of 
course Hereford steers are to be found in almost every county, 
especially in the grazing districts, but the registered herds are 
mainly confined to Herefordshire and the adjoining counties. 
This seems difficult to explain, especially when one remem- 
bers the adaptability of the breed. Of course there are Herefords 
in many counties as far west as Cornwall, and as far north as 
Scotland, but not in great numbers. Nevertheless the bulls 
are in great demand for crossing purposes in all parts of 
the United Kingdom. In Ireland there are many registered 
herds of great excellence, the breed having been first introduced 
into that country in 1775 by the Duke of Bedford. 
The Hereford sire is possibly the most potent and impressive 
sire in the world, and this quality, combined with other dis- 
tinctive characteristics of the breed, has won for him a place in 
every country where the native cattle need grading up. The 
breed was introduced into the United States in 1817, and 
to-day is supreme there. As some indication of their remark- 
able success in the States, it is only necessary to state that each 
year from 25,000 to 30,000 pure bred calves are registered in 
the American Hereford record, apart from many hundreds of 
thousands of grade Herefords, having one or two pure crosses. 
The first consignment of Hereford cattle to the Argentine 
and Uruguay took place in 1858, and to-day the breed is to be 
found in every state of the South American Continent, and 
during the past ten years the demand for Herefords in South 
America has been steadily on the increase. 
Australian breeders first imported Herefords as far back as 
1839, and they seem particularly adaptable to the droughts so 
prevalent in that country, surviving on the same stations where 
other breeds die of hunger and thirst. Most European 
countries have purchased Herefords from time to time, and 
recently shipments have been made to Japan. Large ship- 
ments have been made to South Africa and Rhodesia, and there 
is every prospect of a very successful future for the breed in 
these countries. 
Hereford cattle are noted for early maturity and aptitude to 
fatten. They are unsurpassed as grazers, and will readily 
fatten on grass alone. 
