308 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
Jdly 20. 
annually change hands by public auction, independent of 
the vast amount sold by private contract. 
“ The Shorthorn is generally a good doer; he thrives equally 
well in almost every part of England, and was introduced 
with great success by Captain Barclay into Scotland. If we 
may believe all we hear, and take as further proof the 
number now exported, his hardy constitution and good 
quality by no means suffer in America, over the vast extent 
of which a great many herds, chiefly derived from our best 
stock, are now being distributed. Nearer home we find the 
breed as highly prized, and almost as much sought after— 
in France, Belgium, Italy, Prussia, Russia, and the whole of 
continental Europe. Ranging out again, we see the Short¬ 
horn annually and progressively imported into Australia, 
New Zealand, Canada, New Brunswick, and, in fact, to the 
majority of our colonies. This is as a pure breed ; but, further 
than this, it may be said, in the words of a very high 
authority, that ‘ the Shorthorns improve every breed they cross 
with.’ Experiments are in course of trial with many of our 
other kinds of cattle, the most encouraging hitherto having, 
perhaps, been with the Scot. 
“ The Shorthorns vary in colour, ranging from pure white 
to a bright or rich red. The most fashionable of all, how¬ 
ever, is a mixture of the two, forming a deep or light roan, 
sometimes called hazel, or strawberry. Colour, however, 
should never be regarded as an objection to the re&l value 
of the animal, as the same cow, crossed by the same bull, 
will often throw the three different colours in as many calves. 
We are well aware of there being some certain prejudice 
against white, in contradistinction to which it may be only 
necessary to state, that some of the very best of the Improved 
Shorthorns have been white ones. Still, to correct this, or 
perhaps only to act in obedience to the fashion of the time, 
the red is now become more esteemed; as from it, when 
crossed with the white, is frequently produced the most 
brilliant of roans. 
“ The appearance and points of the Shorthorn may be 
thus briefly summed up. The head of the male animal 
is short, but at the same time fine; very broad across 
the eyes, but gradually tapering to the nose, the nostril of 
which is full and prominent; the nose itself of a rich 
flesh-colour, neither too light nor dark; eyes bright and 
placid, with ears somewhat largo and thin. The head, 
crowned with a curved and rather flat horn, is well set 
on to a lengthy, broad, muscular neck; the chest wide, 
deep, and projecting; shoulders fine, oblique, and well 
formed into the chine; forelegs short, with the upper 
arm large and powerful; barrel round, deep, and well ribbed- 
up towards the loins and hips, which should be wide and 
level; back straight from the withers to the setting on of the 
tail, but still short—that is, from hip to the chine—the 
opinion of many good judges being that a beast should have 
a short back, with a long frame. As a consequence of this, 
the hind quarter must itself be lengthy, but well filled in. 
The symmetry of frame at present to be found in a well-bred 
Shorthorn reaches as near perfection as possible, while 
few animals “ handle ” so well, or to use a still more 
technical phrase, have so “ fine and mellow a touch." The 
hair is plentiful, soft, and mossy, with a hide not too thin, 
and, in fact, somewhat approaching the feeling of velvet. 
The female enjoys nearly all the same characteristics as 
the above, with the exception of her head being finer, longer, 
and more tapering; her neck thinner and altogether lighter, 
and her shoulders more inclined to narrow towards the 
chine. Like most well-proportioned animals, the Shorthorn 
often looks smaller than he really is. The rapidity with 
which he often puts on flesh, and the weight he frequently 
makes, are facts so well known, that it can be scarcely 
necessary to dilate on them here. Still we may mention 
that it is no uncommon occurrence to see steers, of from 
four to five years old, realising 140 stones of 1416.; many 
ranging as high as 150 stones. Such animals frequently 
command from the butcher TOO to T70 per head; while 
others, between two and three years old, and of course less 
weight, make as much as T40 a-piece. A vast number now 
realise even sooner than this, being slaughtered at two years 
old, and under—another, and still further proof of the early 
maturity for which the Shorthorn has long been so justly 
and so widely celebrated." 
TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
Failure of Cucumbers (Actonian).— The “white spots, on the 
lower leaves first, but advancing step by step over the fruit and every ' 
part of the plant,” is, beyond all doubt, the mildew. What Mr. Fish 
stated last week, at page 2/G, will answer all your inquiry. 
Botany ( J. Newbo/d). —“ The simplest system ” is the Linmean, and 
it will be the most useful if you merely require “ to make out the names 
of plants unknown to you.” Just read, first, Dr. Thomson’s very excel¬ 
lent “Wanderings among the Wild Flowers,” advertised in our columns 
last week. It will establish your feet in the path of the Linnsean system. 
We hope to notice it more fully next week. 
Fowls Poisoned by Strychnine (Joseph Hurst).— We think that 
the dead bodies eaten by pointer puppies will not injure the latter ; but 
you will be more certain on the point before you read this, and we shall 
be glad to hear from you what has been the result. 
Shangiiaes or Hambukghs (A Young Beginner).— The first arc 
most profitable. There is nothing else in your long letter that requires 
an answer. 
Pois mange tous (C. Chapman). —We quite agree with you in 
thinking this Pea, which is boiled in the pod whilst very young, like the 
Kidney Bean, is very excellent, and desirable as a variation among our 
vegetables ; but it is not so sweet as our best varieties of shelled 
Peas. Mr. Chapman, gardener to E. V. Egg, Esq., Richmond House, 
Brighton, will send any one a boiling who sends to him previously 
eighteen penny postage stamps. 
Knight and Co., Eastborne.— We think it right to state that Mr. W. 
Knight, of Battle, in Sussex, informs us that he has “ no connection 
with the above firm, nor with any other.” 
Gardener ( Lncnan ).—The best place to apply to is The Cottage 
Gardener. Insert an advertisement in its columns, stating the quali¬ 
fications you require, and the wages you give. 
Buff Shangiiaes’ Wings (S'. T.).—There ought to be no white 
feathers in them, nor any black, except on the tips of some of the quill 
feathers. 
Calceolarias (S. C.). —They are all pretty, and the markings of one 
or two uncommon. 
Grass for Poultry (R. II .).—You must inform us what is the 
nature of your soil and subsoil, before we can tell you what kinds you 
had better sow. 
Peas and Strawberries (Tyro).—' The Pea you mention was raised 
by Messrs. Beck, Seedsmen, London, and the Strawberries by Mr. 
Myatt, Nurseryman, Deptford. You had better apply to them for the 
information you require. 
Beds of Roses ( W. E.). —As the flower-garden intervenes between 
the house and the new Rosary, we would not, on any account, plant the 
circular centre bed with Heliotrope, nor with any neutral colour. White 
Roses ought to be in the centre bed, as the Mulmaison, edged with Miss 
Glass , Noisette, or with the old White China. At any rate, it should be , 
a white, and then the four somewhat crescent-shaped beds round it, 
should be a mixture of all the best Roses, or what you consider best.* We i 
would plant none but perpetuals in so conspicuous a place, but the only i 
principle involved is not to neutralise the centre bed. Any white flower 
will do. 
Double Daisy Seed (Enquirer). —We fear we cannot give you the 
information you ask for. The most likely person to supply you is Mr. j 
John Salter, Versailles Nursery, Hammersmith. 
Poultry Dealers (Theta. N. B.). —We cannot recommend any 
one. When we require any variety, we write to those who have taken 
prizes, and ask them to supply us. It is too late to set either Fowls or 
Turkies. 
Name of Plant ( Breflitt). —Yours is the Mouse-ear Chickweed, 
Cerastium tomentosum. ( Cruciferce. Ati Original Subscriber ).— 
1. Cupressus funebris, or Funeral Cypress of China. 2. Cupressus 
pendula, or Drooping Cypress. 3. Tumurix gallica, or French Tamarisk. 
London : Printed by Harry Wooldridge, Winchester High-street 
in the Parish of Saint Mary Kalendar; and Published by William 
Somervillr Orr, of Church Hill, Walthamstow, in the County of 
Essex, at the Office, No. 2, Amen Corner, in the Parish of Christ 
Church, City of London.—July 20th, 1854. 
SUHrnttstnunta. 
CALCEOLARIA SEED from the most splendid 
varieties in cultivation, some of which (by competent judges) have been 
pronounced almost perfect. They have been admired by thousands 
during the present summer. Great pains have been bestowed in crossing 
the best flowers, so that a great improvement is fully anticipated. 
Price 2s 6d per packet, free by post. 
JOHN HER, Florist, Bristol ltoad, Birmingham. 
SCYTHES.-BOYD’S PATENT SELF-AD JUST- 
ING SCYTHE will last out three of the ordinary sort, and is always 
ready for use. “ We have seen this scythe at work, and can strongly re¬ 
commend it.”—See Mark-lane Express, May 16 , 1853. To be had of | 
every Ironmonger and Nurseryman in the kingdom, and wholesale ami i 
retail of WM. DRAY and Co., Agricultural Implement Makers, Swan- 
lane, London. 
