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Rieorses CATILE.
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OrIGIN, History, IMPROVEMENT, DESCRIPTION, CHARACTERISTICS, MERITS, OBJECTIONS, ADAPTABILITY SOUTH, ETC., OF EACH OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS,
WITH
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT,
— INCLUDING —
MEDHODSSOF PRACTICAL BREEDERS
IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
ay OF CONGS 3k™ =i
IM GALOIS AAR BAD NU COUAGHITE Meany JAN 24. 1889_
y BY GHOMWr CU RERISH ei sn At PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE IN THE AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS.
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, CoLLEGE STATION, BRAzos County, TEXxas. 1888. om
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1 oa o a y, > _Copyricut, 1888, By GEO. W. CURTIS. (Au Ricuts RESERVED.) ,
PREFACE.
From early boyhood I have been a lover of good stock, familiar with the every- day, practical work in handling and feeding; and when, as a student in one of our agricultural colleges, my attention was first drawn to the need for a suitable text-book on domestic animals, 1 began a more extended study, with the purpose in view which I have since striven to accomplish.
In presenting this volume to the public, I desire especially to acknowledge the kindly encouragement received from my co-workers in the line of agricultural instruc- tion. Many, like myself, have been giving lectures to their students on the subjects treated in these pages, and, from very lack of time, the lectures have been incom- plete and unsatisfactory. The urgent requests which have reached me, especially during the past year, have greatly encouraged me to push forward the work. From another class—the general stockman and farmer—has come a still more urgent demand for information of this character. I have received many inquiries which these pages will answer, and, while the successful stockman is one who understands his work, I trust all will find much of interest and something of profit in their perusal.
The statements of actual methods pursued by successful breeders in different parts of the country, will be found of very great value. There are many young farmers, and perhaps some older ones, who are in need of information of a practical kind regarding the “ points” in handling stock, and for all such, the letters from prac- tical men given in the Chapters on Care and Management, are worthy most careful study.
In all assertions as to average weights for the different breeds, it must be remem- bered that animals are frequently found which exceed the weights given, and others, just as frequently, which fall below them. It is very difficult to make statements of this kind which will not be subject, perhaps justly, to criticism from partisans of the several breeds; but it has been my aim to give what I believe to be the truth, regard- less of whose shoulders it may strike most heavily.
The statements regarding ease of acclimation in the fever belt, are made after a very careful study of the subject for the past five years, and an extensive correspond- ence with breeders and importers of northern bred stock—especially cattle—in the states bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
It is believed that full credit has been given for every quotation; but I desire to make especial mention of the Agricultural Press—from many papers I have quoted —from all, derived something of value which has aided me in my work. The follow- ing list, while it does not include all, represents most of the periodicals, devoted wholly or in part to live stock, to which I am in any way indebted: Twazf, Field and Farm, New York; Breeder's Gazette, Chicago; ational Live-Stock Fournal,
iv PREFACE,
Chicago; American Agriculturist, New York; Western Agriculturist, Quincy, Ill.; Canadian Live Stock Fournal, Hamilton, Ont., Canada; American Sheep Breeder, Chicago; Herds and Ficcks, Chicago; Hoard’s Dairyman, Fort Atkinson, Wis.; Spirit of the Times, New York; Country Gentleman, Albany, N. Y.; Rural New- Yorker, New York; Southern Cultivator, Atlanta, Ga.; American Farmer, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Farm and Home, Springfield, Mass.; Breeder's Fournal, Beecher, II1.; Texas Farm and Ranch, Dallas; Texas Live-Stock Fournal, Fort Worth; and the Texas Stockman and Farmer, of San Antonio.
To many breeders I am indebted for information respecting various matters of interest, and to each I would express my appreciation of the aid thus kindly given. Among others to whom I am indebted in a personal way, I can not fail to mention at times severely strict—direction, I owe much of whatever I have since been able to accom-
my father, Lyman J. Curtis; to the early training on the farm, under his
plish; the later instruction of my valued friend, Professor S. A. Knapp, is remembered with pleasure and profit. Of more immediate importance, has been the faithful assist- ance of my wife; without her aid, relieving me from all details of correspondence and clerical work, it would have been impossible to publish this volume for at least another year. To my co-worker, Professor F, A. Gulley, I am indebted for valuable sugges- tions; to Professor Louis L. McInnis, Chairman of our Faculty, for various courtesies; and to my assistant, Mr. J. F. Duggar, and Foreman of Farm, Mr. J. H. Alsworth, I return thanks for relief from routine work which would otherwise have required my personal attention.
THE AUTHOR.
STATE AGRL. AND MECHL. COLLEGE, COLLEGE STATION, TEX. August, 1888.
GoONnTEN Ts.
Raha FP lRiSin.
THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF HORSES.
CHAPTER I. PAGE IPERCHERONS! cele crcaiincetnacitiaat cleleteta Bees 8 CHAPTER II.
UREN CHUL) RENE ar et ehay e\slaloncinleia’s cle ievereeeniater: 12 CHAPTER UI IBEUEGIANS) «/cc1c 010) sie1e E.cle Monsnom@udneoDoaocoé 15 CHAPTER IV CLV ESWAT ES ira crt faveleie eid o/s) crcls Wa careers 17 CHAPTER V.
EINGUISH SHIRES keer tisiereicncieyerajejo 21.8 dare 22 CHAPTER VI.
SUREOLKS LUNCH wrens etete cieicie stoe'c ccc aeiete 25 CHAPTER VII.
CLEVELAND Bays ....... Sea bl CHAPTER VII.
RRUION GET GOA GH victors cle ajcleteis cle siereye sve s\seheinre 30
CHAPTER IX. THOROUGHBREDS tere ateieivictois's wis ate’ ix s’eiae.0 «i010 CHAPTER X.
AMERICAN TROTTERS...........
CHAPTER XI.
ORLOFF TROTTERS
CHAPTER XII. SHEDLAND) PONIES) ).iciclecic eicicisle'sis1s cw edenca
CHAPTER NII.
WVAEISS ETMENONLEDS «2 otete ye etree n,c7s) ekdlerera\ sisyevevaiciers CHAPTER XIV. EEX OOR SE ONES cies lepers tareleteicieterehetatciiaisiste es
CHAPTER XV.
IVES CANE ONDE jclctereleiate cisials ofcla win tn eieyeleie's CHAPTER XVI. ENIDVAIN SE ONITESS mee ets loess eters oi etelelcateleveleiste ce) Vole.
CHAPTER XVI. LUINTSTON SELECTION, (\CARE AND MANAGEMENT: acy. «lacie cies csi sae «celasaveeew oscie dese
PART SECOND.
THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF CATTLE.
CHAPTER XVIIL PAGE FLOUSTEIN-THRTESTANS Mpeaietraeieieciciae ts 80 CHAPTER XIX.
UES HWS gases eeralaraycrn cl oveletetel istete fete nels niece sce 86 CHAPTER XX.
GUER NSE S yotspoleles pores ian he etiake oie arn ieiats 91 CHAPTER XXI.
LAY RISHURES (5 cyeiwrstersiey = oinveVelciais aieyeo 700 ia 316.5% 93 CHAPTER XXII
DUTCH BELTED! sc yce cite or ocist car vei soo000 Us) CHAPTER XXIII.
AMERICAN HOLDERNESS 102 CHAPTER XXIV.
IS ROWING IS WISS orsraict versie Great «piers erarsietaverererere 105 CHAPTER XXV.
IBRUGIIDAINTE SS ejafeler s/s iejetern ele Bate dysiore'a sieteraiwisiele 108 CHAPTER XXVI.
IKGERIRTES fcc etree cisisiers Sielsieteys were wieleweiersyesis 110
CHAPTER XXVIL.
CHAPTER Nortu-WAvets-Biack CHAPTER PEMBROKES......
HEREFORDS .
GALLOWAYS.....
vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXVI. PAGE ASBERDEEN=ANGUS Mee eieiecertieeeiie tice 148 CHAPTER XXXVII SS USSES eerie cps einer eens Gien esis, aloes 152 CHAPTER XXXVIII.
SIMMENTHAL) serie eal vote sroiciae «celeron 154
CHAPTER XLII.
Hints on SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT
PART THIRD.
THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SHEEP.
CHAPTER XLII. PAGE MEE RUN OS 55, role sio? oxovorere erates -slalelarsrnierere enema 176 AZWOOGS ~ aisieicic cies PAA OrIOa CO ATORDO OOO . 182 DRAMAS 15.215 6:5 10) 6sreverwsa oie (e eione lop Soe eA eTOTO 183 DIICKIMSONS is sissy. lord oicicemtergrneis oon 186 PEMA? The none aaonad nacKno coseHe : 188 VELL CORO RAE ToCCACHaTIn AGO BUC ODEDC 191 CHAPTER XLIV. HoRNED-DoRSETS........... mlatetstalelotetetorete 193 CHAPTER XLV CHEVIOTS:.2.5.5,.4, w.cctrecicseee Meee Spocan ita CHAPTER XLVI. SOUTHDOWINS | isis coe ne see cements 197
CHAPTER LIT.
Hints oN SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT
PART FOURTH.
THE DIFFERENT BREEDS OF SWINE.
CHAPTER LIV. PAGE IBERKSHIRES). jis) cf ote ccrienelsiecoaeee eee 226 CHAPTER LV. IPOGAND: CHINAS 2.52 -i1e hetissne Ganon 229 CHAPTER LVI.
ID UROG-]ERSHYS\iy a telelais ceteris eeciece 232 CHAPTER LVII. GHESTER-WHULES tee toe Oe 235 CHAPTER LVIII.
Topp’s IMPROVED CHESTER-WHITES..... 237 CHAPTER LIX.
GOTHEANDS 52). 345s ose wate are oieeee 239 CHAPTER LX.
(CUR TIS-\VACTORTAS fer-eiaiciclsayeisl eke aie clientes 239
CHAPTER LXVIII.
Hints ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT..............---- ooo 9.000 Adn.oOOO BeOgOnAD
CHAPTER XXXIX. PAGE BRAHMINS! (ZEB) neeeetrseeieteeieaene 157 CHAPTER XL. WirstT-HIGHEAN DST ieciecienienine seinen 160 CHAPTER XLI. ‘DEXANS 4:06 oceanic ay Setal state eter accidistese otra 164 Boats Eideicele./3| 62/0) COMTTORTO ey Se eee eee 166 CHAPTER XLVI. PAGE SHROPSHIRES Sc 05. ooo ae iae ABooo yt) CHAPTER XLVIL.
FLTAMPSHIRES) fo... 1005sloniesieionenin Soe eon 203 CHAPTER XLIX. OXFORDSHIRESo cs aceleea toe eeceene 206 CHAPTER L.
GoOrsWOLDSrsce. pers cee eae stakeerexere 208 CHAPTER LIL.
TE RICESTERS the semiotics one ae ieee 212 CHAPTER LI.
IGINCOENS 2 s.15 scp sustsie ian eleie oho, SAT CUD SCS CAE 215 55 asics eiterihohousmeRocsve ye eyevelreae ec okela wlenc/arere Nana vereTe 219
CHAPTER LXI. PAGE
DAVIS“ VACTORIAS 5s 51512 co.cc /eve'e)o-0 afe1creielelevetion 240 CHAPTER LXII.
CHESHIRES....... BOOnHER Sod xs ato podoone. me CHAPTER LXIIL.
SMALL) YiORKSHIRIES jelc« <fo<.ceies sleieisietsie wee. 244 CHAPTER LXIV.
FESS BOK 55a, syie aeteso icleta, ole rears ete treueielehacs APIO 247 CHAPTER LXV.
INBAPOLITANS i.,00rs/s/jeisiens pistetstocte etait Aaugey ©) CHAPTER LXVI.
ENGLISH, OR BLACK SUFFOLKS........... 249 CHAPTER LXVIL.
AMERICAN, OR WHITE SUFFOLKS ........ 250
251
PART FIRST.
HORSES.
DRAFT BREEDS.
PAGE PUR CHE RONG fareteore stele slole(eielleelsisieis) risieterels (Ghrapten, Leeerstetveltteictelole stovetel cfelelere(elelefetaleisisis/eielssiniara’e 8 PE RUE IN CER oD ANC Too eefaticovelageke cers (e/=1=!-t-1=velel eye CCE eis Leger rpentete pets toVots\a(ofolstsloveve locptersteeeteisy eletere teveteroe sci 12 ISCAS 5G code. c#éoucdy docdche saan edooo CO NI geo Fob cQCpRUeEEOCOboN woOdooo ahehiaaar 15 ETE VDE SDA ES eye) eteins feielelesiels\ neta ovess/<Us atelollate th UMW poue op sundoos cObodb muds UUOLeso Aan OoOe 17 BINGEISH SHIRES) sivicjei/a)olsyere sjelele’ cis «ic: aioiats Bo ec hd00S 200 JODCAAN BO CO UGACOP.D Geet ntCIac 22 STE ROUR VEAUIN GHC re /aje nicis: cleieletelcic:<isisieie/t ins Sea AV ilis iste sieicierel watebefaye cre acces Riciecisletercile baw es 25 HEAVY CARRIAGE BREEDS GSEEVELAND BAL Si cssc aie miiniecivcisscsce see (CUmevaHsse NAME So aciooo Ho UOMO NOOO DOGO OOOO DOO ISD ODE 27 HPRENCHA COACH 1-10 .cie/eieitici" reteleisieleyniclaiels,« U \A0U soectbaunasdcauqaase aso Genuasobocue 30 RUNNING BREEDS. FEHOROUGHBREDS cleiseleisisieisieaele hier v-is/elars (Chit? ID.8 sooooososdeence SbDraGaKS oucdcanouegee 33 TROTTING BREEDS.
AMERICAN TROTTERS........... rettelonete\ CLAP LE Tame Neu eaetesetntafoletalataicyarcictst-/siaojsisioleversistsieiaia(elsin'<|siis 42 ORTORF DROUMTERS jie eric leleietse ili s1citioie' oie © WE MENG Iisa creversic cine sivosyei¥ivisheve tioiere ml ttalels =, steieee aic/aN 64 SMALL OR PONY BREEDS.
SHETDLAND) PONTES):\q:<\«\<1s/</eleieieieleieisisit <isie. 0 (Capo? >. ON ig cada SS5coo Gab daadubosHaU geo OOOO ON 64 WIESE IPRONDES 2 qc) ce isyoieleysieisias i= sel isieie (OD. SUL ice Boououpncomarerar ooGUon COLO Ea DOOnE 66 IETXIMOOR) PONIES © |= ‘ere(s|sysicic bio oie: evote-c:<)s'0\s's i" Mis Goug ennanodn moa soos oneeoBAGBeos DTIC 67 MEXICAN Ponies (MUSTANGS)......... Gi DO Grd doubaganeage coh Gado Ds seenby Oude 67 NDIA APONTE S sce eicicte)« mic sfeleis , «/siesicteve erste Pe! DAVIES GamoouDCLe ce OO Uae BO Sor AOGUe Pae So 69 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT.
Ghia ter Sa W pleases fey er ae retommpayet lee isieystefes aacucts loos Toe ayleasie sicisleiee:s ileieieies 72
8 PERCHERONS.
CHAPTER I.
PER CHERONS.
The Percheron is an old French breed, long noted for rapid and effective draft work, and always supposed to owe much of its excellence to Eastern blood. When steps were taken to compile the Percheron Stud Book of France, careful enquiry revealed a much greater predominance of Arabian blood than had been previously claimed.
It was then found that puts it—
as Mr. Sanders, in his treatise on Horse Breeding,
“What the Darley Arabian was to the English Thoroughbred, and the gray Arabian Smetanxa to the Orloff, the gray Arabian Gallipoli has been to the Percheron horse of France.”
Du Hays (American Translation of the Percheron Horse), after expressing his belief in its descent from Arabian blood, says:
‘““We cannot, however, find in history, the written positive proof that the Percheron is an Arab, but we believe it easy by fair historical deduction, to prove what he is in fact.”
The same author, speaking of the improvement of the breed, states that:
“The Percherons must have been especially modified by contact with the breed of Brittany, where their striking characteristics are now met with in a large number of individuals.”
In Volume I, of the American Percheron Stud Book, we find this statement:
“Aside from the history and traditions of the country, the Percheron horse himself furnishes unmistakable evidence in his form, disposition, color and general characteristics, that he is closely allied to the Arab.”
Again, from the same source, we quote:
“As the immense draft horses of the North (Flemish) were closely allied to, if not identical with, the large breed that prevailed in Normandy and La Perche, prior to the modification produced by the introduction of the blood of the Arabian and the Barb, heretofore alluded to, it was very natural, that, when the Percheron breeders found it desirable to increase the size of their horses, their eyes should be turned toward this kindred race, from which other countries had already drawn so heavily for the same purpose. Accordingly we find that mares in large numbers were taken from these northern departments, and from Belgium, under the various names of Belgians, Boulonnais, Mares of Picardy, etc., and were bred to the stallions of La Perche. Stallions from the same country were also extensively introduced, under various names and of slightly differing types. But, notwith- standing the multiplicity of names arising from the different departments in which they had been bred, and the slight variation in form that existed, they were, after all, nothing more nor less than the Flanders Draft Horse—the same blood that had already exercised so potent an influence upon the horse stock of Great Britain.”
To sum up then, briefly, there is ample proof of the use of the celebrated Arabian stallions (both gray) Godolphin and Gallipoli, in the formation of the Percheron breed; and there is little doubt that—like the heavy British breeds—it owes its superior size to crosses with the large horse of Flanders.
Importations to the United States of what are now claimed to have been Perch-
"I ‘udu AA SWVHNOG “AA “W Aq paumo pu payiodut fyyot palvoz fyou[q ‘uojoa
"(GGZ) 123) ‘LNVITITING ‘NOIT1IVLS NOYSHOUSd ‘9 a UAy We Z —
PERCHERONS. by
SINT } I) i
Ce
10 PERCHERONS.
erons, were made as early as 1851, but they were called simply French Horses. In 1866 Mr. W. S. Ficklin, of Charlottesville, Va., imported several Percheron horses under their proper name; and in 1868 William T. Walters, of Baltimore, returning from France, after a sojourn of several years, brought with him a considerable number of these horses; he also caused to be translated and published that interesting little work the “Percheron Horse,” by Du Hays, from which we have quoted.
And now a word in regard to the Perchero-Norman controversy. In 1854, one of the stallions imported in 1851, under the name of French Horses, was sold to Messrs. Dillon & Co., of Normal, Ill. This horse was exhibited with many colts of his get at county and state fairs, under the name “ Norman,” and soon obtained a high degree of favor among horsemen of Illinois and neighboring States. In this way began the confusion of names which has continued more or less urabated until within the past few years, and is, even now, a matter of considerable uncertainty and vexa- tion. When the first steps were taken to form an American Stud Book in 1876, it was proposed to adopt the name “ Norman.” For reasons which he considered satis- factory, Mr. Sanders, Secretary of the Association, changed the name to “ Percheron Norman Stud Book,” the Association afterward ratifying the change. Many breeders of French horses, however, were in favor of the term Norman, and accordingly withdrew from the offending society and began the publication of the National Register of Norman Horses; all draft horses imported from France being eligible for record. There was, if such were possible, greater confusion than before, the names Norman, Norman-Percheron, Percheron-Norman, Percheron and French Draft, obtaining equal prominence, and, indeed, were used interchangeably as synony- mous terms for the same breed.
In 1883, the Soctete Hippigue Perchonne was organized in France, and the Per- cheron Norman Society immediately, and wisely, adopted the name by which the breed is recognized in its native country. The name was thus changed to the Per- cheron Society, and their record, the Percheron Stud Book of America. Thus the matter of nomenclature rests for the present; each breed has its partisans; both are valuable. While we do not propose to decide between them, yet we cannot forbear noticing this fact: the Norman Register admits all draft horses imported from France. The Percheron Society requires that all animals imported after January Ist, 1884, must be recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. The value of this restric- tion, in preserving the purity of the Percheron breed, is at once apparent, and can- not fail to attract favorable notice from all lovers of thoroughbred stock.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS :
Color varies, gray—-mostly dappled—predominating, while there are many pure blacks and bays, and all shades of gray, from the darkest iron to almost pure white. The body is low, square, and full in all points, with magnificent head, and a neck which, for beauty, would not disgrace the proudest of Barbs. Legs are short in proportion, and while very massive, are yet fine and close knit. Percheron breeders claim almost perfect immunity from bone and leg diseases, such as ring-bone, splint, wind-galls, ete. Our own experience with the breed, particularly with the half blood colts from native mares, has not justified an admission of this claim, and we feel
“TIT foude yy SWVHNOG ‘AN WN Aq paumo pur (¢/sT) poytodurr feysp papeos fyoviq “410joD
(ZOv)) 61S AGIVISGV ‘SYVIN NOYSHONAd
-_ =:
12 FRENCH DRAFT (NORMAN).
compelled to state that some breeders, and many who have used the Percheron grades for heavy farm or other work, have expressed a belief that the Percherons are even more subject to these troubles than some of the other breeds.
The Percheron is a draft breed, mature stallions weighing from 1600 to 2100 or 2200 pounds, and their get from ordinary mares weighing from 1200 to 1700 or 1800 pounds, when grown. They are quick, active and intelligent. Some have thought them vicious, and we have known a number of ill-tempered representatives of the breed; but it is more than likely that the troublesome temper was caused by unskillful or vicious” grooms. Quite a number have been brought to Texas from Northern States, and some imported direct from France; while they stand the as do some of their
climate as well as any of the large breeds, yet we cannot say partisan breeders—that they acclimate with perfect safety.
Our illustrations, kindly furnished by Mr. Dunham, of Oak Lawn Farm, Wayne, Ill., represent Brilliant, perhaps the most noted draft stallion ever imported to America, and Adelaide, one of Mr. Dunham’s finest mares. “Oak Lawn” is one of the largest breeding establishments in the world, and its owner spares neither time nor expense to keep up and constantly improve the quality of his stud.
CHAPTER II.
FRENCH DRAFT (NORMAN).
From the chapter on Percherons will be gathered somewhat of the author’s ideas as to the name and present status of the Norman or French Draft. As there stated, the term French Draft includes not only the Percheron, but also the other heavy families, or breeds, of French horses. We can see much good sense and con- siderable necessity in perpetuating the registry of French Draft horses; many have been, and are still being, imported to the United States, which are not eligible to record in the Percheron Stud Book, by reason only of nativity in another province than Perche ; and many of these horses stand as individuals, and produce a progeny
3
second to none of the modern draft breeds. The National Register of Norman Horses admits all draft horses of thorough French blood, no matter to what breed or family they may belong. We can see no just cause for the apparently intermin- able wrangle between those who set themselves up as champions of, and authority on, respectively, the French Draft and Percheron breeds. The former includes the latter, and the latter is now undoubtedly more closely bred and limited as to registry than the former. There is no foundation that we can see for claiming that any breed should have exclusive credit for improvement in American draft horses, and there is no doubt that very many of the French Draft horses now in the United States have no superior among even the most select Percherons.
The precise origin of the French Draft horse would be hard to trace; so many strains or families, all bred out from a common center, and improved in whateyer
SI ‘ruodiq jo qauura feel pareoz 2 yIeIq “10]OD
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‘eMO] 'EsOO[eySO ‘AAVTITA\ F YAONIAdS ‘sassayy Aq poyodurt fasuvsyZ JO SinodUOD [eUOIwN 7” ‘OST “TRPAIW pue *
FRENCH DRAFT STALLION, FARCEUR, 5356 (140).
Color, dapple gray; foaled 1882; weight, 2,000 lbs.; winner First Prize at Nat’] Concours of France 1886; imported by Messrs. SPRINGER & WILLARD, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
BELGIAN DRAFT. 15
direction best suited the demands of any peculiar locality, would naturally tend to break somewhat the line of descent. According to Youatt, who wrote in 1831, the Province of Normandy was the one most noted at that time for its horses, the French Government buying annually from the Norman stock for use in the other provinces.
Prof. Low, in his great work on the Domestic Animals of Great Britain, pub- lished 1842, noted the same facts, and attributed it to the better grass and food con- ditions found in this province. All the heavy horses of the continent, and through these, of the British Islands, may be traced to the low, rich regions of Middle and Southwest Europe. The old Black Horse of Flanders, doubtless, owed his great size to these natural conditions of vegetation, and may very properly be considered a sort of mile-post—a stepping stone—between the horses left in that country by the warlike nations of Northeast Europe in the frequent invasions west and south- ward, and the modern draft horses of France.
The first importation of Norman horses to the United States was made about 1839, but not until 1850-60 were many imported to the Western States; since that time, however, they have become widely and favorably known. In the South they are better known than the Percherons and do as well in all respects.
The National Norman Horse Association, organized in 1876, was, in 18S4, changed to, and incorporated as, the National French Draft Horse Association. C. E. Stubbs, of Fairfield, Ia., is the present Secretary.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
As bred and known in the United States, there is so little difference between the French Draft and the Percheron, as to preclude any necessity for statement, other than has been already given in the preceding chapter (which see). The only point to which attention may be called is that there appears to be a wider diversity in color, and a greater variation from type among French Draft than among Percheron horses. In this connection, compare, also, the illustrations of French Draft and Percheron horses, all of which have been carefully selected as representative animals of the breeds in question.
CHAPTER III.
BEE GAarAGN DUR ZARE i.
A comparatively new breed to America, but one which is earning marked dis- tinction on merit alone. The Belgian Draft is a direct descendant of the original Black Horse of Flanders, and has been developed in unison with his neighbor breed, the Boulonnais; indeed the latter bids fair to become a member, part and parcel of the former. There has been more or less activity among Belgian importers to the United States since about IS70. Dr. A..G. Van Hoorebeke, of Monmouth, IIl., was prob-
16
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hy
NY
il il
i? WA
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BELGIAN DRAFT.
BELC!IAN DRAFT STALLION.
Color, chestnut; foaled 1884; impcerted 1887 by Masston & Son, Minonk, III.
CLYDESDALES. 17
ably the first to import, and his early importations in 1866 and next succeeding years were called Boulonnais. Of late years, however, Belgium has insisted, and rightly, on giving her name to her peculiar horse stock, and the Doctor’s later importations, as well as those of Messrs. Massion & Son, of Minonk, Ill., and other reliable im- porters, have been under the name by which they are now recognized,
The American Association of Importers and Breeders of Belgian Draft Horses was organized in 1877, with J. D. Conner, Jr., of Wabash, Ind., Secretary. All draft horses imported from Belgium prior to January Ist, IS8S8, on satisfactory proof of same, are eligible to registry. Any horse imported from Belgium after January Ist, 1888, is not eligible to registry, unless previously registered in the Government Reg- ister of Belgium, known as the Society of Belgian Stock Farmers. Animals bred in the United States from registered sires and dams, are eligible to registry under the rather peculiar caption: “Native Full-Bloods.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, generally bay or brown-black, but sorrel, roan and other colors are occa- sionally found. In size, they are about equal to the Percheron, perhaps somewhat larger, say an average of from 1,650 to 2,200 lbs. for mature stallions. The head is small and close fleshed; the neck, short and very powerful; chest, wide and deep; back, short and broad, full over the kidneys; hips, long; legs, short with wide flat
bone, heavy muscle, and feet of proverbial soundness. As compared with the Per-
cherons, they are more compact—* blocky ”—and more nearly round in the body, but, withal, resemble them so closely in many points as to warrant a second look, from eyen an expert, before passing judgment as to breed of the animal in question. The subject of our illustration is a typical Belgian, and the fact that he was selected by the elder Massion (who attends personally to all selections for impor- tation) is a sufficient guaranty of his excellence in the breed to which he belongs.
CHAPTER IV.
GL Ye DES DrASL AS 1S:
Like the Percheron, the French Draft, and in fact all of the other Draft Breeds, the Clydesdale owes its original merit to the Black Horse of Flanders—a lineal descendant of the great Black Horse of Northern Europe, which, according to Prof. Low, inhabited “in the wild state, the vast regions of marsh and forest, which stretched all through Europe to the Euxine [ Black] Sea.” The first mention we have of large horses in Scotland, is found in a particular edict of ‘Safe Conduct”
from King Edward I. issued 1352, and referring to “ten large horses” which were to be taken to Teviotdale. Although it is not definitely stated whence these horses
came, yet from the fact that the edict was obtained by the Earl of Douglas, it may be
CLYDESDALE STALLION, CILDEROY, 2826 (1438).
Color, bay; foaled 1878; imported (1886) and now owned by GALBRAITH Bros., Janesville, Wis,
CLYDESDALES. 19
reasonably inferred that the horses were taken from Douglas Castle in the upper portion of Lanarkshire, otherwise termed Clydesdale; and from the additional fact, that the Earl of Douglas was an ancestor of that famous breeder of Clydesdales, the Duke of Hamilton, we may reasonably suppose that these “ten large horses” were an important factor in laying the foundation of the original Lanarkshire breed.
And now in relation to the use of the Black Horse of Flanders, we have the following from the retrospective Volume of the Clydesdale Stud Book :
“Some time between 1715 and 1720, John Paterson, of Lochlyoch, on the estate and in the Parish of Carmichael, grandson of one John Paterson who died at Lochlyoch in 1682, went to Eng- land and brought from thence a Flemish stallion, which is said to have so greatly improved the breed in the Upper Ward, as to have made them noted all over Scotland.”
From the same authority we quote :
“The Lochlyoch mares were generally browns and blacks with white faces and a little white on their legs; they had gray hairs in their tails, occasionally gray hairs over their bodies, and invariably a white spot on their belly, this latter being recognized as a mark of distinct purity of blood.”
There can be little doubt of the presence of Flemish blood in the present Clydes- dale race. But we are strongly inclined to give credit, not so much to the heavy, clumsy Black Horse, as to the infusion of some lighter but stronger blood, which has given to the breed its well-known courage and action, in marked contrast to the slug- gish movements of the old Cart or Lincoln horse of England. The colors of the Lochlyoch mares—the last of which died out some thirty-five years ago—considered in connection with the predominant bay color of modern Clydesdales, would point toward the old Cleveland horse as a probable factor in improvement, and this view is strengthened by many characteristics common to both breeds.
The name of the breed, Clydesdale, would indicate its restriction to that particular locality, but these horses were very generally bred in other portions of Scotland, and obtained their name solely from the fact that, in Clydesdale, they were earlier brought to a high degree of merit and pushed into more prominent notice.
Importation to America, both Canada and the United States, has been active and long continued. Through the kindness of Mr. C. F. Mills, Springfield, Ill., the present Secretary of the Association, we are enabled to give the following list com- prising all of the early importations of Clydes:
“Tn 1842, Gray Clyde 78, was imported by Archibald Ward, of Markham, Ontario.
1845, Sovereign 181, was imported by R. Johnson, Scarboro, Ont.
1847, Marquis of Clyde 101, was imported by Thomas Summerville, Whitby, Ontario.
1850, Cumberland 106 was imported by David Roundtree, Jr., Weston, Ontario.
1854, Bay Wallace 5, was imported by William Cochrane, Claremont, Ontario.
1855, Clydesdale Jock 33, was imported by John R. Torrence, of Markham, Ontario, and Jock of the Side 760, by Simon Conner, of Markham, Ontario.
1856, Merry Farmer 20, was imported by Mrs. A. Ward, of Markham, Ont., and Byron 197, by James Dalziel, of Chesterfield, Ont.
1857, Rob Roy 90, by Thomas Irving, Montreal, Quebec; and Black Douglas 27, by William Miiler, Pickering, Ontario. Prior to 1860 a number of very choice Clydesdale stallions were im- ported into Ohio by Fulling*on & Co., none of which have been recorded.”
Since 1860 their introduction has been very rapid, and the number bred in America has more than kept pace with imported stock.
The Clydesdale Society of America was organized in 1877, and the first volume
CLYDESDALES,
CLYDESDALES. 21
of the American Clydesdale Stud Book, was issued in 1882; imported animals, to be eligible, must be recorded in the Clydesdale Stud Book of Great Britain and Ireland; and American bred stallions or mares must trace to recorded sires or dams, or have
four or five recorded top crosses. DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN CLYDESDALE:
Color, either bay, brown or black, with usually a white strip in the face—* blaze” and more or less white on the feet and lower parts of the legs; occasionally there
is found a dun, chestnut, or even sorrel. The color which may be called peculiar to the breed, is a light bay, fading to still lighter bay at the flanks, between the thighs, and forward on the belly line. In size they are classed with the large breeds, stal- lions ranging from 1700 to 2100 pounds, and mares from 1200 to 1600 pounds. In appearance the Clydesdale horse is a large, tall, rangy animal, with a long head; medium neck; strong legs, heavily fringed with hair below the knee; and long slant- ing shoulders—the latter, a point well worth noticing as inclining toward greater activity than is usual with the large breeds.
As compared with the Percheron or the French Draft, the Clydesdale horse is longer legged, longer bodied, and of more quiet temperament. Our observation and experience with the half blood colts from native mares, fully bear out the assertion that they are, almost without exception, kind, quiet, intelligent and easily broken. One very prominent characteristic is their naturally fast walk. The American far- mer is not slow to appreciate the superior value of a team that will plow three acres of ground in a day, as against one that with the same plow, will turn but two acres; and this fact has done much to advance the interests of the Clydesdale in America. The tendency of late to widen the breach between Clydesdales and English Shires has induced breeders of the former to look more to appearance and action, and gradually lower the average in weight—thus leaving to breeders of the latter a market demand for great weight and appearance, with action somewhat in the back ground.
A point to which many object is the fringe of long hair at the fetlock already referred to; the objection, however well founded, has caused certain breeders ‘to attempt a reduction of the characteristic—with what success, remains to be seen. In the South, the Clydes are, perhaps, not so well known as the French Draft; but the few shipments made are said to have done remarkably well. It is claimed, indeed, that no other horse of the heavy breeds can so well endure the Southern climate.
The engravings give an accurate idea of representative Clydesdales, and illus- trate at the same time the superior character of Galbraith Brothers’ stud.
Ae ENGLISH SHIRES.
CHAPTER V.
ENGLEDSH SHUR Bs:
From the preceding chapter on Clydesdales, we have seen that all of the modern draft breeds are descended from the great Black Horse of Northern Europes with such modifications as different soils, vegetation, climate and care would induce. Referring to this breed, Prof. Low, of Edinburgh (already quoted), writing in 1842, after speaking of its occupying the entire west and southwest portions of the mainland, says:
“The same widely-spread race extends into England, where it presents itself with the same general characters as in the ancient countries of the Belgic Gauls, the Batavi, the Frisiandones, and others. It is found in numbers from the Humber fo the Cam, occupying the rich fens of Lincoln and Cambridge, and extending westward through the Counties of Huntingdon, Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Warwick and Stafford to the Severn. Although most abundant in districts of rich pastures, it has extended northward, and very widely southward into the counties of the Chalk, retaining the typical characters, but varied with the climate, food, and other circum- stances affecting its culture and condition. In the commons and poorer grounds it presents the coarse pack-horse form, distinctive of the greater part of the older horses of England. But in the fens and richer cultivated country, it attains the strength and stature of the largest horses which the world produces.”
From these early horses, then, have descended the modern Shires of England; but we must look further, under the head of improvement, to find how the unwieldy giant Lincolnshire or Black Cart-horse was finally moulded into the handsome, large but fairly active horse now known as English Shire. Of the first improvement, we get a good idea from Youatt (on the Horse), 1861, who says:
“ All our heavy draft horses, and some even of the lighter kind, have been lately much crossed by the Flanders breed, and with evident improvement. Little has been lost in depth and bulk of carcase; but the fore hand has been raised, the legs have been flattened and deepened, and very much has been gained in activity. The slow, heavy black, with his 2% miles an hour, has been changed into a lighter but yet exceedingly powerful horse, that will step four miles in the same time, and with perfect ease, and has considerably more endurance. * * * As the Racer is principally or purely of Eastern origin, so has the English Draft horse sprung chiefly from Flemish blood, and to that blood the agriculturist has recourse for the perfection of the breed.”
During late years, the improvement of the Shire has been very great, breeders struggling successfully to secure less bulk with equal weight and added muscle. Prob- ably the lighter horses of England, as well as the famous medium sized ** Dutch Mares,” have had something to do in bringing about this very desirable change; cer- tain it is, that the English Shire of to-day is a horse fit to walk in the front ranks of any breed of modern draft horses.
Importation to America has been slow. No very large importations had been made up to eight or ten years ago; but since that time, western farmers have found out their peculiar worth, and the demand thus created has led to great activity in importing circles. The American Shire Horse Association has been lately organ-
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THE SUFFOLK PUNCH. 25
ized, with C. Burgess, of Winona, IIl., Secretary. The first volume of the English Stud Book for Shire or Cart Horses, was published in 1880; since which time some seven volumes have appeared —a fact which in itself illustrates the remarkable demand upon English breeders to supply registered Shire stock for American shipment.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The full description given of the Clydesdale in preceding chapter, with some few changes, may be accepted as a correct description of the English Shire. Colors are about the same, with, perhaps, a predominance of blacks, browns, and bays; but the darker shades of gray, both dappled and steel or iron gray, are more frequently met with. The “blaze,” or bald face, and white feet and stockings, are marks common to both Shire and Clyde, and the same is true of the long hair at and above the fet- locks, commonly known as the * feather.” English breeders adhere with rigid tenacity to their faith in purity of blood, as shown by the feather; while American importers and breeders are as surely convinced that the feather is not only worthless but posit- ively injurious, by reason of keeping the feet in foul condition unless carefully cleaned and attended to. We can honestly admire the silken fringe of soft feather, but we must express our belief that its absence would detract nothing from the value of either Shire or Clyde. In point of size, the English Shire is larger of the two, and has, perhaps, less of that American objection—daylight—underneath. Importers, however, as a rule, have brought oyer the more compact and stylish Shires, and it is commonly no little trouble to decide by simple judgment of the individual, whether the animal is Clyde or Shire. (Compare also illustrations of the two breeds.)
In the South the Shires are little known, and we can say nothing as to their relative merits in our warm climate; but in the West they are becoming more pop- ular with each succeeding year, and haye an assured future along with the other draft breeds.
CHAPTER VI.
THE TSU POLK RUN CE:
This breed of horses, which has for many years enjoyed such merited popu- larity in England, has of late years found a substantial and growing favor with American breeders. The origin of the Suffolk Breed is somewhat obscure, but the best evidence obtainable indicates the use of Norman stallions on the best native Suffolkshire mares. That this is true is strongly evidenced by the Suffolk color— sorrel, or light chestnut—which has so often been found a compromise color between bay and gray: the former being represented in the native mares, the latter being the predominating color of the Norman stock.
As far back as 1745, the Suffolk was famed for its still prominent characteristic —draft; and notices of the breed at the drawing matches of that period, may be unearthed among the old files of some of the English newspapers.
THE SUFFOLK
PUNCH.
SUFFOLK PUNCH STALLION, LEIS:On (1415).
Color, chestnut; foaled 1878; imported (1887) and now owned by GaLBraitrit Bros., Janesville, Wis.
CLEVELAND BAYS. 27
Improvement of the Suffolk has been very great, especially within the last quarter century. Formerly there was said to be a tendency to foot troubles, but in the modern breed this tendency has disappeared. Among the later breeders and im- provers, we may mention Mr. Alfred I. Smith, of Woodbridge, Suffolkshire, Eng. Mr. Smith has been especially active in stimulating American demand for his sorrel favorites, and since 1861, when his stud was established, has furnished many of the noted prize winners at English fairs. In the United States, many of our most promi- nent importers of Shires and Percherons have lately been importing Suffolks, and, we understand, the demand is fast increasing.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, almost invariably chestnut or sorrel; size, somewhat less than Shire or Clydesdale, having an average height of 1534 to 1614 hands, and weighing at maturity from 1,400 to 1,800 Ibs. ‘The body is round, close and compact, with short clean legs and pasterns, free from the troublesome long hair of the Shire and Clyde. The shoulders are long and lie well forward for draft; the bone is small but firm; the hind quarters long, heavy and well coupled to a short, close knit back. The general appearance indicates a rather over medium sized sorrel horse with heavy round body and short legs. The Suffolk is emphatically a draft animal, valuable for remarkable steadiness and great faithfulness in the collar. He will pull every pound which is possible, and no whip is needed or should be used to urge his natural freedom in work. Asa horse for the general farmer, it would be hard to find one more suit- able—having a good fast walk, an even “all-around” trot, and sufficient weight to save muscle work before plow or harrow.
CHAPTER VII.
CHE Vi EeAGN Drs BrAON Ss:
We have no authentic data regarding the origin of the Cleveland breed, but give what seem to be the most probable of the many theories advanced. Prof. Low says:
“Tt has been formed by the same means as the Hunter, namely, by the progressive mixture of the blood of the Race Horse, with the original breeds of the country.”
A later writer regards it as an offshoot from the old Scandinavian horse improyed by careful breeding under the different climatic conditions of England. By others he is thought to be a lineal descendant of the old war horse in ages past. We think it probable, that a gradual use of horses of higher breeding on heavy mares of the larger English breeds, combined with marked skill and care in handling, has finally resulted in the formation of this excellent breed. Certain it is, that, about the begin- ning of the present century, the horses of Cleveland were in great demand, and
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30 FRENCH COACH HORSES.
their breeding carried on with system and success; for a time they gradually de- clined in public favor, and indeed, were threatened with total extinction, but during later years the breed has again advanced in favor, and, thanks to the efforts of the American Cleveland Bay Society (R. P. Stericker, of Springfield, Ill., Secretary), is once more widely and favorably known. The name of the breed is taken from the district of Cleveland in Yorkshire, England, where it was first known, and the term bay was added to indicate the prevailing color.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, invariably a bright bay, either light or dark, with black mane and tail, black points, and usually a small white spot between “bulbs” of the heel. In size they are medium, individuals standing from sixteen hands, to sixteen hands three inches in height, and weighing from 1,100 to 1,300 Ibs. The head is of fair size, with a face of kindly expression and intelligent cast; neck finely arched and well set on to long, sloping shoulders; back short; loins even and powerful; hips of good length and legs straight, close knit, and free from long hairs at the fetlock.
The Cleveland Bay is a general purpose horse, heavy enough for all ordinary farm work, and active, stylish and with ample speed for either wagon or carriage use. In breeding he transmits color, bone, style, kind and docile disposition, and general characteristics to a marked degree; he is easy to handle, and for use in grading on the pony mares of the great Southwest, we doubt if his superior can be found, or indeed, his equal. Royalty and Lord Derby (see illustrations), both prize winners, are excellent representatives of the breed, and fully bear out the proverbial good
judgment of their respective importers.
CHAPTER VIII.
FRENCH COACH HORSES. (Demi-Sang.)
These horses are the direct result of the wisdom and foresight of the French Government. Some time during the latter part of the 18th century the Government began the establishment of studs and breeding stables, in anticipation of an ap- proaching scarcity of good horses for the cavalry service. Thoroughbred stallions from England were introduced and their services offered to breeders at remarkably low rates, the policy of the Government being to buy back the get of these horses, and eventually establish a breed of the peculiar type desired. The practice led to a good deal of trickery in the way of selling good-looking individuals on appearance solely, the fraud only appearing when the animal was used for breeding purposes. To obviate this trouble, the French Government adopted the plan of buying up superior stallion colts and rearing them in the public studs. In addition to this, the owners of very superior stallions are granted a bonus by the Government, on condition that the
FRENCH COACH IIORSES.
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Color, bay; foaled 1881; imported (1885) and now owned by M. W. DunuAm, Wayne, Ill.
32 FRENCH COACH HORSES.
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FRENCH COACH STALLION, FUYARD.
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THOROUGHBREDS. 33
stallion in question shall remain in the country for service; a second class—the owners
of stallions good but not fine—are allowed to offer their stallions for service, but receive no subsidy; no stallions except these two classes, and those belonging to the Government, are allowed to stand. In certain departments of France only—as notably in Orne, Calvados and Seine-Infeieure—is Government attention directed to the pro- duction of Coachers; in other departments, the Thoroughbred, the Breton and the celebrated Norman and Percheron horses receive in turn particular attention. The American French Coach Horse Association has just been organized, and a Stud Book
will soon be issued. S. D. Thompson, of Wayne, III., is the present Secretary. DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The color of the French Coach is usually bay, but chestnuts are abundant and blacks quite common; the fashion in America calls for bay, and most of our importers have selected with a view of supplying this fashionable demand. In size they rank with the Cleveland lions. The head is small with full forehead, expressive eyes, fine muzzle, and medium,
an average weight falling between 1000 and 1200 lbs., for stal-
quick playing ears. The neck is long, well arched and firmly set on long, slop- ing shoulders. The back is short; hips long and well up; legs of good length, firmly knit, and with tough well-made feet. In general appearance—as will be seen by a glance at the engravings—the French Coach Horse is just what the name indicates, a stylish, well-made carriage horse of good action and fine appearance.
CHAPTER IX.
THOROUGHBREDS. (RUNNING HORSES. )
We have thought best to commence this chapter by a brief notice of the term “ Thoroughbred,” and the confusion which has existed—indeed confusion still exists —regarding its use in America. In England, the home of the Thoroughbred, the term is naturally well understood. In America, all animals whether horses, cattle, sheep or swine, if eligible to entry in the register of their peculiar breed, are spoken of as “thoroughbred,” as, for example, thoroughbred Shorthorns, thoroughbred Herefords, thoroughbred Southdowns, thoroughbred Berkshires, and so on through the list of recognized breeds of domestic animals.
The term “thoroughbred,” as thus used, is, it will be noted, an adjective, and is employed merely to express the fact that such an animal is eligible to entry in the Herd Book or Register of the breed to which he belongs. It is convenient and expres- sive, if not strictly accurate, and, as it will doubtless always be retained by American stock breeders, we may as well acquiesce in its acceptance, and try to thoroughly understand the difference between its use as an adjective and as a noun. It must be remembered that at the time the name first came into use as a synonym for the English
34 THOROUGHBREDS,
race horse, it did so by reason of the acknowledged purity or “thorough” breeding of the animal in question. No horse without the blood of some celebrated runner of the English turf, or the blood of the Arabian, Turk or Barb in his pedigree, could at that time be even thought of as a horse of any breeding at all. The race horse was the especial horse of the nobility, and was the only animal at that time whose ances- tral blood was known and recorded. The runner was commonly spoken of as “ thor- oughbred,” and the word has naturally been adopted by all breeders as the proper name of the breed of running or racing horses, whose origin is found in Oriental blood transmitted through the veins of the early English race horse.
Let us understand then that the noun “ Thoroughbred” is simply the name of a breed of horses, just as Cleveland Bay and Percheron, are the names, respectively, of other breeds of horses; and with this understanding, we may proceed to a brief review of the origin and early history of the breed.
As already intimated, the English Thoroughbred is the undoubted scion of East- ern blood—Turk, Barb and Arabian—improved and perfected by the influence of skillful handling and natural conditions peculiar to English soil and climate. The horses now generally regarded as of most value among the early invoices of Oriental blood, may be named as follows, in order of their importation: The White Turk, owned by Mr. Place, stud groom of the Lord Protector Cromwell; the Byerly Turk, owned by Captain Byerly and used by him as his charger in the wars of William in Ireland, about 1689; the Darley Arabian, owned by Mr. Darley of Yorkshire; and last in point of time, but by no means least in the number and great excellence of his descendants, the Godolphin Barb, called also “ Godolphin Arabian,” but erroneously, since he was universally admitted to be a Barb.
Many other noted parents of racing stock might be named as illustrating the extent to which the blood of the desert has been used in forming the modern Thor- oughbred, but space forbids. The Darley Arabian, bred in the desert of Palmyra, may be said to be the parent of our best racing stock. From Youatt, in reference to this horse and his descendants, we quote:
“His figure contained every point without much show, that could be desired in a turf horse. The immediate descendants of this invaluable horse were the Devonshire or Flying Childers; the Bleeding or Bartlett’s Childers, who was never trained; Almanzor and others. The two Childers were the means through which the blood and fame of their sire were widely circulated; and from them descended another Childers, Blaze, Snap, Sampson, Eclipse, and a host of excellent horses. The Devonshire or Flying Childers, so called from the name of his breeder, Mr. Childers of Carr House, and the sale of him to the Duke of Devonshire, was the fleetest horse of his day.”
Probably the most noted of the descendants of Flying Childers was King Herod, the founder of the old Herod line of English Thoroughbreds. He was the sire of 497 winners, who gained for their owners some £200,000.
Of Sampson more extended mention will be found in the chapter on American Trotters. His reputed and recorded sire was Blaze, but his actual sire has been com- monly supposed to be of heavier, coarser extraction; be that as it may, in the horse Sampson, regardless of his pedigree, was combined the exact elements necessary to plant the germ of the trotting instinct, which has been so highly developed in the long list of trotting horses descended from his great-grandson, imported Messenger.
Eclipse was, by acknowledged right, the most wonderful horse ever produced on
THOROUGHBREDS. 35
English turf. His career was so brilliant both on the turf and in the stud, and his exploits so remarkable, that the following quotation from Prof. Low’s great work may prove of interest:
“Eclipse was got by Marske, a grandson of Bartlett’s Childers, out of Spiletta. He was foaled in the year 1764, during the eclipse of that year, from which circumstance he took his name. He was bred by the Duke of Cumberland, and on the death of that prince sold to Mr. Wildman, a salesman at Smithfield, and afterwards he became the property of Mr. O’Kelly. Eclipse had not the grandeur of form of the Flying Childers, and might have escaped notice but for the accidental trial of his stu- pendous powers. He was about fifteen hands and one inch high. His shoulders were very low, and so thick above, that according to the observation of the times, a firkin of butter might have rested upon them. He stood very high behind, a compilation suited to his great power of progression; he was so thick winded as to be heard blowing at considerable distance’ In the language of the honest John Lawrence, ‘He puffed and blowed like an otter, and galloped as wide asa barn door.’ No sooner were his powers exhibited on the turf, than every eye was set to scrutinize his form, and he was then admitted to possess in perfection the external characters indicative of great speed. A volume was written on his proportions by M. Saint Bel, a veterinary surgeon, whose investigations showed that his figure differed greatly from the conventional form which speculative writers had assigned as the standard of perfection. He was of an indomitable temper, and his jockeys found it in vain to attempt to hold him, but contented themselves with remaining still on the saddle while he swept along, his nose almost touching the ground. His full speed was not determined, since he never met with an opponent sufficiently fleet to put it to the proof. He not only was never beaten, but he was able to distance some of the best horses of his time, and the fleetest could not keep by his side for fifty yards together. This remarkable horse first appeared on the turf at the age of five in 1769. In the first heat he set off of his own accord, and easily gained the race, his rider pulling in vain with all his force for the last mile. O’Kelly observing this, and aware of his horse’s powers, offered in the second heat to place the horses, and he took heavy bets that he did so. When called upon to declare, he said, ‘Eclipse first, and the rest no place.’ He gained his wagers: Eclipse was first, and all the others were distanced, or, in the language of the turf, had no place. From this time Eclipse was continually on the turf, and gained every race; no horse daring to contend with him, he closed his career of 17 months by walking over the Newmarket Course for the King’s Plate, in October, 1770. During this brief period, it is said that he gained £25,000 for his owner. He was then employed with prodigious profit as a stallion. He got 334 winners at our numerous Race Courses, who are computed to have gained about £160,000 to their owners besides cups and plates. He died in 1789, at the age of 25.”
The later English racers have been horses of great speed and endurance—great in those things that go to make up a great horse; but we are inclined to think that the modern English Thoroughbred is not the equal of his former self. Sharper races, more of them, and especially coming at an earlier age—very frequently at the age of two or three years—have had a tendency to decrease somewhat the stamina and wonderful endurance found in the earlier horses of note.
The American Thoroughbred is, of course, a lineal descendant of the parent stock (English); in other words, all American horses eligible to entry in the American Stud Book for Thoroughbred Horses—edited and published by Col. S. D. Bruce, of New York—are either imported from England, or are the descendants of horses so imported.
In the United States, it has been found advisable to permit a certain relaxation of the rigid rules adhered to in the English Stud Book, and to admit animals that show an unmixed descent for five generations of pure blood. This necessarily admits animals which are not strictly Thoroughbred, but if for five generations nothing but Thoroughbred stallions are used, the resulting animal is so nearly Thoroughbred as
36 THOROUGHBREDS.
to answer all requirements. Indeed, we are inclined to think that the American system of breeding, and recognized rules for entry, have done much toward making the American Thoroughbred the successful rival of his English cousin, which he has proven himself to be.
Of the American Thoroughbreds which have earned distinction on the turf, we may mention: American Ecljpse, by Duroc, out of Miller’s Damsel, by Imp. Mes- senger; Lexington, by Boston, out of Alice Carneal, by Imp. Sarpedon; Prioress, by Imp. Sovereign, out of Reel, by Glencoe; Leamington, by Faugh-a-Ballagh, out of a mare by Pantaloon; Springbok, by Australian, out of Hester, by Lexington; Nettie Norton, by Imp. Leamington, out of Long Nine, by Lightning; Ten Broeck, by Imp. Phaeton, out of Fanny Holton, by Lexington; Tom Ochiltree, by Lexing- ton, out of Katona, by Voucher; and Parole, by Imp. Leamington, out of Maiden, by Glencoe. Many others might justly lay claim to distinction, but lack of space com- pels the omission.
Among the later celebrities of the turf, not one, perhaps, has stood higher in public favor than Tke Bard (see illustration), a bay stallion, foaled 1883, owned by A. J. Cassatt. As a recognition of his remarkable career on the turf, we give place
to the following tabulated pedigree: \ Sir Hercules.
7" ; ( Faugh-a-Ballagh ............ ViGuiceoMt SE CAINE COMM ete eheietaja eotelaketeene P . £ ( IDEA FANRSES oh o400 bade.aaseaane \ Sea oJ : ‘ao | AoRe ” seu { American Eclipse. 3 5 Ree Brawner s Eclipse. jjcicse= - = 12 ) Daughter. : § | Nantura.................... Bt dita, (Beane: pay See eae lead yeortines : Boston 2 ( Lexington. S c : = Call Ware anceseereereEreeeeces { ( UGE Carneal. a | 5 | ( Reel { Glencoe. op eM Meee SS ct Se ae eGallowades v “7 11; " & Sten ( Irish Birdcatcher. & Ps ae Imp. Knight of St. George... ae Maltese: cola pa a eevit \ Imp. Trustee. Mh qioaoooODN0OboU epeade ) Vandal’s Dam.
Concerning the race for Freehold Stakes at Monmouth Park, N. J., August 2d, 1888, in which The Bard suffered defeat for the first time, the Turf, Field and Farm, of New York (issue August 10th, 1888), says:
“Since our last issue, sudden checks have been given to the victorious careers of several public idols. The Bard has succumbed to Firenzi, Raceland lowered his colors to Badge, Kingston and Terra Cotta suffered defeat by Elkwood, Little Minch out-speeded by Yum-Yum, and even in England, the crack two-year-old Donovan has met with a reverse. But the case of The Bard is the most serious of all, for not only has he been beaten after winning seven straight stakes, but in all probability, he has appeared for the last time in public.
“The race in which he met with his mishap was the Freehold at Monmouth, on Thursday of last week. Firenzi was his only opponent. The Bard made the running, setting a fast pace, but at no time did Garrison permit the filly to be more than three lengths behind. He closed in the stretch, forced Hayward to the whip at the last sixteenth pole, and then coming away, won by two lengths in 2:34, which equals the record, Luke Blackburn having made the same time at Monmouth as a three- year-old on August 17th, 1880, with 102 pounds up, and Jim Guest, when four years old, and carrying 98 pounds, having made a like record at Washington Park, Chicago, July 24th, 1886. The first quarter was run in 0:27, the half in 0:52, the three-quarters in 1:18, the mile in 1:42%, and the mile and a quarter in 2:08!4. It was a splendid performance for both.
t-
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THOROUGHBREDS.
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38 THOROUGHBREDS.
“While The Bard did not pull up lame, as far as could be noticed, at the close of the race, it was but a short time before he began to favor his off hind leg, which began to swell. Dr. Shepherd was called to examine the horse, but the inflamation was so great, the swelling being midway between the hock and fetlock joint, that it was impossible to diagnose the case, and the extent of the injury had not been definitely determined on Tuesday last, although it was generally deemed to be perman- ent. After the race, Hayward said that for the first time this season, The Bard had not tried to get away from him when he had mounted, not taking hold of the bit in his accustomed style. Like his illustrious sire, he has gone down in battle, covered with glory, both finishing their races in the gamest manner on three legs. That there would have been a still greater contest and in faster time had The Bard been right, there is no question in our mind, for we have long been of the opinion that, under favorable conditions, he could lower almost any record.”
Firenzi (a bay, foaled 1884), by this race has proven herself a truly great mare; and with The Bard no longer in the field, ought surely to have an easy career as a winner.
The Emperor of Norfolk (see illustration from sketch immediately after winning the American Derby) is another one of the successful winners of 1888. At Chicago, June 23rd, he won the American Derby, netting in this one race $14,590.00, and mak- ing a total amount thus far won for his owner of $28,580.00, said to be the largest winnings credited to any living horse. There is a little “cold” blood in the remote pedigree of the Emperor, coming through the Potomac mare—dam of Betsy Malone —but it is so far back that it affects neither his speed nor his breeding value. His abridged pedigree may be given as follows:
: \ Sir Archy. 4 ( ali moleo traaevi steht SkGali ea nvinres - | Boston ...--.... : : i 8 | ( Sister to Tuckahoe ...... } Lae eae 0 , =) sy2 as ( Imp. Sarpedon.......... } ae 4 ice Carneal........... } 4 ae Nee / Rew { Sumpter. < | OWEN erotic leit ) Lady Gray. \ 0 ( Selim. Z ae &j ( SOIT a. oe steerer ) Bacchantes : OP yetnaenictioe 4 : “ae ae aie / P { ‘Tramp. a g Abehen INS Googecasconde ) Web = Gis P Be) 9 { Sir Archy Montorio. 4 | A | { Rodolph....-+-...++.++s ) Daughter of Hoxall’s Moses. ° | | GhloeAndersony-~ 7.1725: 4 : ak Pa / . ( Sir William. BellevAndersonteeee sce 1) ieieeticraaky ° | { Don John. - ; mat \ IEF coagogenoosous scunTu NeScandall = E ( Imp. Bonnie Scotland... / iGiaimen A. Tai J SSE IENS oboe doe ok. ) Daughter of Plenipotentiary. E (& : ica) s | ( Imp. Monarch .......... papas \ Lady Lancaster ......... ] 3 ; { Imp. Tranby. 3 Wileadiys@antontic cnc 2 eee ) Mary Randolph. Se a = : ( Emilius. Ss = Rete eee ( Sis INGO NVES Boose asco ) Seamew. mp. SSMITE ewe ee ws A 3 | ( IMMOVSS RYOTE Ga sadaadooce aaa Mare: a } ( Sultan. St | \ Timp Glencoewr eee ) Trampoline. Bp MUONS ocunacetsta =| ( Stockholder. a . Betsy Malone .-. =... ) Potomac Mare.
"G3USHONOUOHL NVOIANY
40) THOROUGHBREDs.
The Chicago Horseman, in a notice of the Emperor, says:
“He is a grandly proportioned horse, and is so constructed that he can carry all the penalties that are piled upon him without materially interfering with his speed. He has defeated all the best three-year-olds of the year so easily that it is impossible to accurately gauge his powers. Should he meet The Bard at weight for age, we shall expect to see a grand struggle, and one which will be fully described in the annals of the turf. Both in his two and three-year-old career, he has proved himself to be a race-horse of the very highest quality, and one of those exceptionally great horses which only appear once in a decade.
“The Emperor of Norfolk was bred by Theodore Winters. He was foaled on January 12, 1885, and was purchased at the Winters sale on December 20, 1886, by E. J. Baldwin for $2,550. He is by that mighty son of Lexington, Norfolk, out of Marian, by Malcolm. In the veins of the Emperor flows the rich, red tide which came from those grand fountains of speed—Lexington, Glencoe, Bonnie Scotland and Yorkshire. When, asa racing star of the first magnitude, the Emperor has run his allotted course, his splendid individuality, grand speed powers and patrician lineage, will combine to enthrone him as the first lord of the harem.”
Huguenot is an English Thoroughbred, and we present his portrait as a good type of the English race-horse.
While no two famous winners have ever been exactly alike in conformation, there
are yet many points of similarity, and we have thought best to give the following short DESCRIPTION OF A TYPICAL THOROUGHBRED:
The head is fine; neck slender but well set on at the shoulders; chest deep, wide, and bounded by shoulders long and slanting; hind quarters high and well muscled; legs flat, with short cannons, long, elastic pasterns, and rounded, well-made feet. Not a pound of surplus fat is carried when in racing trim; the cords and muscles stand out clearly, and play in action like the sensitive strings of some delicate instrument. The Racer is essentially nervous in temperament; many have been made vicious by careless handling, and not a few have failed to show extreme speed on the turf, because of failure to understand and appreciate their nerve peculiarities.
Many regard the Thoroughbred as a mere fancy animal,—the especial horse of the sporting fraternity,—but we do not agree with such expression. His indomitable will and wonderful endurance, combined with his beauty of form and usually good size, make him a horse of much value to use on native mares of mixed breeding; and the colts thus produced are among our most stylish saddle and harness horses. The South has always been rich in the blood of the Thoroughbred; and, since there has been little call for horses of the heavier breeds until recent times, mules being em- ployed almost exclusively for heavy draft and farm work, the Racer has served a most valuable purpose. As heavier stallions are now being introduced quite extens- ively, we shall find the mares of racing stock a valuable foundation for producing an excellent general purpose horse.
“LONANONH ‘GS3YSHONOUOHL HSITDNA
41
42 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
CHAPTER X.
AMERICAN TROTTERS.
While not yet recognized as a separate breed, the American Trotter is fast ap- proaching that distinction, and the long lines of fast moving offspring from the famous stallions that founded the several strains of modern Trotters, point unmistakably to that constant transmission of characteristic qualities which alone determines a breed.
ORIGIN AND IMPROVEMENT:
The history of the origin and improvement of American Trotters, furnishes one of the most, if not the most, remarkable examples of human skill in developing and training to desired lines qualities which, before, had remained partially developed or entirely latent. The courage and stamina of the Trotting Horse, in brief, is found in the use of Oriental blood in and through the royal blood of the Thoroughbred; but to those remarkable individual animals, which we shall mention,—in whom the trot- ting gait seems to have been a spontaneous development of the trotting instinct com- bined with the energy and speed of the Racer,—belongs the credit for his immediate origin.
Among the horses which may thus be considered original sources of trotting blood, and first in the list by acknowledged right, stands
IMPORTED MESSENGER,
himself a Thoroughbred, and embracing some of the choicest blood of the desert in his make-up, as will be seen by a simple statement of his paternal ancestry: Imported Messenger was a gray horse, foaled in 1780; imported to United States in 1788, and died on Long Island in 1808. His first sire was Mambrino, second sire Engineer, third sire Sampson, fourth sire Blaze (?), fifth sire Flying Childers, sixth sire Darley Arabian. His dam was sired by Turf, by Matchem, by Cade (who was a son of Godolphin Arabian), and his second dam was by Regulus, also a son of Godolphin Arabian. His great grandsire, Sampson, was a black horse out of all keeping with the ideal Thoroughbred in appearance, being large, coarse and heavy boned, but with a wonderful power of speed and bottom. Sampson’s reputed and recorded sire was Blaze, a bay Thoroughbred, but his conformation and the inclination to trot, which he transmitted to his offspring, have led students of equine history to doubt the record of his paternity, and assert that his dam was covered by a coach horse. If this were true—and it seems at least reasonable—it was the most fortunate accident that could have occurred, since it furnished the exact combination to insure a change of gait and still retain the fire and instinctive speed of the Racer.
The peculiar conformation of imported Messenger—low, round, almost flat with- ers—has been faithfully handed down to his lineal descendants; and it is a matter of common note, that all true Messenger-bred Trotters have always enjoyed a remarkable
“ravoy ‘APIVAV AY ‘NVINMOS “YU AA pur “Hy “ff Jo Aysodorg
“ATHSAVM “1V0O4 GNV JALLZAINO ‘43LLOUL NVOINSNY
AMERICAN
44 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
freedom from all kinds of foot, lez and bone diseases. Messenger blood is found in nearly every family of American Trotters; and, through his great grandson, Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, we have a family preéminently above all others in steady re-production of the trotting gait, through a long line of noted descendants, of which we shall write later.
Another original source of trotting blood was found in
IMPORTED BELLFOUNDER,
a blood bay, with white diamond on nose, and white left hind foot. His breeding has always been a matter of question, but by the best evidence obtainable his pedigree is as follows: Sire, Old Bellfounder, out of Velocity by Haphazard, by Sir Peter, out of Miss Hervey by Eclipse. Grand dam of good blood but not Thoroughbred. This stamps him as a true descendant of the Fireaways—a strain which has never been excelled for the saddle. Bellfounder, the “ Norfolk Trotter,” was foaled about 1815, imported to America in 1822, and died on Long Island in 1843. He was a natural
trotter, of remarkable honesty, and his truest descendants have since been known as “field trotters,” showing their best speed when free from all restraint of reins. The peculiar value of the Bellfounder blood is found, like that of Duroc, in its happy com- bination with the blood of Messenger.
DUROC
was not an imported horse, but was foaled (1806) and bred in Virginia. He was a chestnut in color, of remarkable frame and muscle, got by imported Diomed,—a small chestnut horse, winner of the first English Derby,—and from him (Diomed) he derived many serious blood defects—such as tendency to foot and leg troubles, as well as those high qualities of nerve and spirit which are found in all of Diomed’s descend- ants. On his dam’s side he traces to imported Medley, a gray, by Gimerack, also a gray, and from this quarter comes the peculiar conformation of his descendants— wide hips, long, powerful thighs, and hocks placed low down over short hind cannons —which is always accompanied by an open, loose “straddling” action, by many regarded a sure indication of trotting promise. As already noted, his greatest value was found in combination with Messenger blood, and in such horses as Alhambra, Messenger- Duroc and American Star was found its happiest combination.
ST. LAWRENCE
must not be omitted in our mention of the early sources of trotting blood. He was a small, bay, Canada-bred horse, standing about 1514 hands; was foaled about 1841, brought over to New York about 1848, and died in Michigan 1858. His breeding is not known, but he was a trotter and a sire of trotters. The peculiar motion which proclaims St. Lawrence blood is seen among all of his descendants: The hind-quarters gently swing from side to side, as the hind feet successively advance, trotting with an even but rolling and far-reaching action, that gives an idea of almost irresistible power and momentum.
In this connection we quote the opinion of Mr. H. T. Helm—an acknowledged authority in matters concerning trotting stock “American Roadsters and Trotting Horses”:
as given in his valuable work on
AMERICAN TROTTERS,
BELMOnT.
Bay stallion; foaled 1864; property of A. J. ALEXANDER, Spring Station, Ky.
15
46 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
“The fact has become so clear that in some parts of our country the Messenger blood has been bred too closely, and the need of a suitable out-cross of high trotting quality having become apparent in many instances, such a blood as that of St. Lawrence affords, for all such, one of the most valuable strains with which to inter-breed. Many valuable mares now exist that are so closely and strongly in-bred in the Messenger blood, that their value as breeding stock mainly depends on the obtaining of a suitable out-cross to invigorate the blood, and maintain the trotting excellence for which it has been noted. For all such the male descendants of St. Lawrence will afford the desired cross, and the union will in all probability result, as did that of Bellfounder in the Hambletonian, in the further advancement of the American Trotter.”
Next on the list comes the Canadian pacer,
PILOT.
His breeding, like that of St. Lawrence, is not known, except that his ancestry came originally from France to Acadia, and thence to Canada, forming a class of tough and valuable horses, since known as French Canadians, or Kanucks. He was foaled about 1826, but was first known at New Orleans, 1832, when he was said to be six years old, and was purchased of a peddler for $1000.00; he died in Kentucky in 1855. Pilot in brief, was a black stallion, standing less than 15 hands, with short neck, rather thick and heavy about the throat; a long, coarse mane, showing the handsome wavy curl which characterizes the French Canadian wherever found; a close knit muscular body; a sloping rump; a heavy tail of same quality as mane, and long quarters with hocks placed low down. His whole make-up was one of utility, and his decendants —chiefly through the blood of his greatest son, Pilot Jr., combined with the blood of established trotting strains—have among them the fastest trotters in the world.
The dam of Maud $S.—2:0834—the fastest trotter yet known, was by Pilot Jr.; as was also the dam of the famous gelding Jay Eye See—2:10—whose record of 2:1034 as a five-year-old has never been beaten. True, these famous movers are descended on the other side in direct line from Hambletonian, but this fact does not detract from the great value of the Pilot blood when used in such mighty combination.
GRAND BASHAW,
a Barb of the purest lineage, was imported from Tripoli in 1820, and died in Penn- sylvania in 1845. His color was black, with small white star, and he was said to be of very great beauty. In 1821 he produced Young Bashaw—from Pearl, by Bond’s First Consul, out of a mare by imp. Messenger—end through this son has come the credit to Grand Bashaw as an original source of trotting blood. In view of the fact that the grand dam of Young Bashaw was by imp. Messenger, and the further fact that Young Bashaw was a coarse looking gray horse, in many respects resembling the Messenger strain, it has been claimed that the Bashaws and their noted descendants— the Clays—are really nothing but branches of the great Messenger stem, and that therefore, the claims of Grand Bashaw are naught, and his name, assumed by the family, an usurpation of Messenger right.
In part at least this may be considered sound reasoning; but we think it more just to admit that the blood of the imperial Barb, Grand Bashaw, was the one element needed in combination, to develop the strain of Trotters that bears his name.
Last on the list, but by no means least in importance, stands old
JUSTIN MORGAN: a clear, bright bay, foaled in 1793 near Springfield, Mass.; died near Chelsea, Vt.,
AMERICAN TROTTERS. 47
(Sire of Maud S, 2:0834.)
48 AMEKICAN TROTTERS.
in 1821. His parentage cannot be definitely ascertained, but from the best circum- stantial evidence, it would appear that his sire was a horse called True Briton, or Beautiful Bay, and in all probability a Thoroughbred. His dam was said to be of the “ Wildair” breed, and to have a share, be it more or less, of the blood of the Lindsey Arabian in her veins. There is some reason also for the belief, in certain quarters, that he had a trace of Canadian blood in his make-up; although the remark- able impressiveness of Morgan and his descendants in matters of color, form, gait and disposition, mark a predominance of Oriental, rather than Canadian blood. Justin Morgan left several sons, only three of which occupy places of any real im- portance— Bulrush, Woodbury and Sherman. Through Sherman—the best of the three sons of old Morgan—we have Vermont Black Hawk, and, passing down the list, General Knox, Ethan Allen and Daniel Lambert; through Bulrush we have the Morrills; and through Woodbury, Hale’s Green Mountain Morgan, Magna Charta and (probably ) Gold Dust.
From this short summary of the horses classed as sources of trotting blood, we may pass to brief mention of a few of the numerous strains or families now holding more or less of public favor. First, by acknowledged right, are
The Hambletonians: The family takes its name from Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, descended on the paternal side from Imp. Messenger, through his Thoroughbred son Mambrino (American) and Mambrino’s son, Abdallah, sire of Hambletonian. The dam of Hambletonian was by Bellfounder. Through Hambletonian we have the Volunteers, Edward Everetts, Alexander’s Abdallahs, Almonts, Messenger-Durocs, Happy Mediums, George Wilkeses, Dictators, Wood’s Hambletonians, Electioneers, and many others of acknowledged eminence, laying claim to the general title of Hambletonian.
The Mambrinos, another great family, descended on the paternal side from Imp. Messenger
take the name from Mambrino Chief. His sire was Mambrino Pay- master, a son of Mambrino, who was also the grandsire of Hambletonian. All the Mambrinos, Champions, and many others are grouped under this head.
The Bashaws take their name from Young Bashaw, a son of the Imp. Barb, Grand Bashaw. Young Bashaw was the sire of Andrew Jackson, who in turn got Long Island Black Hawk; and through the latter we have Green’s Bashaw, the Mohawks and others of note.
Closely related to the Bashaws are
The Clays, who take the family name from Henry Clay, a son of Andrew Jackson, above mentioned. From this horse we have the numerous strains of Clays; and through his famous grandson, George M. Patchen, we have the branch which bears his name.
The Morgans we have already mentioned as taking the name and excellence of old Justin Morgan. Under this head we have the Black Hawks (exclusive of Long Island Black Hawk, who was by Andrew Jackson, with no trace of Morgan blood), Ethan Allens, Knoxes, Daniel Lamberts, Fearnaughts, Morrills, and others.
Pacing blood is represented chiefly by the P2/ots, who take their name from Pilot Jr., already noted, and the B/we Bulls, from the celebrated pacer of that name; with the Royal Georges, Hiatogas, Bald Stockings (descended from Tom Hal,
49
TROTTERS.
AMERICAN
DICTATOR. Brown stallion; foaled 1863; property of H. G. McDowsk tt, Lexington, Ky.
(Sire of Jay-Eye-See, 2:10.)
50 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
lately deceased), Copper Bottoms, and others, as seconds of no mean value. Right here we cannot fail to notice the peculiar force of pacing blood, especially on the side of the dam, when joined with paternal blood of established trotting excellence. The mares of Pilot Jr., St. Clair, and other noted pacers, have given us the fastest flyers of the age, and no amount of self-confident reference to “‘ Thoroughbred grand dams,” in the cases of Maud S. and Jay Eye See, can now breast the tide of popular favor which the pacing element enjoys. Old Blue Bull, a horse of great speed at the pacing gait alone, stands now (June 6th, 1888) second on the list—yielding only to the trotter George Wilkes—as a sire of trotters; having to his credit 52 horses with a record of 2:30 or better.
It is now well known and admitted that the trot and the pace are interchange- able, and that a horse may be taught to go at either gait. The idea of 20 years ago that pacing blood was of no value in a trotting pedigree, has gone and gone to stay.
SOME OF THE FASTEST.
An examination of the list of fast records brings up matters of such interest as to warrant at least notice in these pages. In every case, through the list of stallions, mares and geldings, the really fast movers have been the result of steady breeding in blood lines to attain the desired ends. It is this fact which points conclusively toward an early recognition of the claims of the American Trotter to be classed as a breed: not yet, perhaps, but soon to be, is assuredly a safe assertion.
The fastest stallions of the present day are: Maxey Cobb, 2:181%; Phallas, 2:1334, and Patron, 2:141%. Maxey Cobb has the best record, but it is admitted that Phallas
met and defeated the former in an easy victory. The 2:133¢ of Phallas was the
next by a difference of one-half second—is really the better horse, since he
fastest time ever made by a stallion in a race, and the fastest time ever made in a fourth heat by any horse; and cannot at least be considered inferior to the 2:131% of Maxey Cobb, made in a trial against time.
Phallas (see pedigree in full) is a bay, son of Dictator, out of Betsy Trotwood by Clark Chief. Dictator was by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, out of Clara, by Seely’s American Star, and was a full brother to Dexter.
Maxey Cobb, a bay, is by Happy Medium—a trotting bred trotter, standing fourth on the list as a sire of 2:30 horses; he by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, out of the trotting mare Princess, the famous California long distance mare, whose history is so inti- mately connected with that of Flora Temple, through their struggles on the track. Princess was by a grandson of Bishop’s Hambletonian—the son of Messenger, sup- posed to be Thoroughbred, and whose name was at first spelled H-a-m-i-]-t-o-n-i-a-n. Is it any wonder that Phallas and Maxey Cobb trot? And we may say the same of the next.
Patron, a bay, is a great grandson of Mambrino Chief, through his sire Pancoast. On the other side, he runs again to Mambrino Chief family, his dam being by Cuyler out of a mare by Mambrino Patchen. When we consider the age of Patron (five years) at the time his record of 2:141% was made, he may fairly be called the equal of the two preceding: indeed, taking the trio together, a horseman could hardly choose one without an innate fear that a better judgment-.would have chosen another.
AMERICAN TROTTERS,
52 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
The fastest mares to date are Maud S., 2:083/3; Belle Hamlin, 2:133/ ; Goldsmith Maid, 2:14; and Trinkett, 2:14.
Maud S.,a chestnut, the present queen of the trotting turf by virtue of her 2:0834, is by Harold—a son of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, out of a mare by Hamble- tonian’s sire, Abdallah. The dam of Maud S.is Miss Russell, whose sire was the now famous Pilot Jr. Probably no other trotter ever enjoyed such high public favor as this famous mare. She has remarkable courage and intelligence, was foaled 1874, and is now owned by Robert Bonner, of New York. She will not trot any more races, but her owner claims that she is just in her prime, and will yet lower her remarkable record.
Belle Hamlin, a bay, next on the list, is by Hamlin’s Almont, a son of Alexander’s Abdallah—out of a mare by Vermont Black Hawk. ‘The dam of old Almont was by Mambrino Chief. In Yurf, Field and Farm, issue of July 27th, 1888, appeared the following:
“On Tuesday of Jast week, Belle Hamlin trotted a half mile on the Buffalo track, timed by a number of gentlemen, among them the experienced horseman Mr. C. F. Dunbar, in 1:02%, last quarter, 31 seconds—a 2:04 gait. This wasa terrific flight of speed, and as soon as Belle Hamlin learns to carry the speed, she will trot a great mile.”
Goldsmith Maid and Trinkett, who are tied as to record, each standing at 2:14, are distinctly trotting bred. Goldsmith Maid, a bay, was sired by Alexander’s Abdal- lah, a son of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, and one whose early death was not the least disaster of the late Civil War. The dam of Goldsmith Maid was claimed to be a daughter of the same Abdallah, but as there is no definite proof of such in-breeding in her case, the claim must be passed without further notice.
Trinkett, a bay, was a trotter at an early age, having a record of 2:193/ as a four-year-old, at a time when such a record was considered wonderful. Her sire was Princeps, a son of Woodford Mambrino, out of a mare by Alexander’s Abdallah. The dam of Trinkett was by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian: blood, and performing blood at that, is a potent and manifest factor throughout the list of trotting mares.
The fastest geldings by the record are: Jay Eye See, 2:10; St. Julien, 2:11 4 ; and Rarus, 2:131/, and we shall find the same story of blood that tells by a brief notice of their pedigrees. Jay Eye See, a black, is by Dictator, out of the mare Midnight, whose sire was Pilot Jr. The parentage of Dictator has been already mentioned under the notice of Phallas. Jay Eye See has the best record ever made by a five-year-old (2:1034), and stands second only to the Queen of the Turf, Maud S., by a matter of 1% seconds. His leg trouble has prevented thus far, even a trial to lower his record; but his owner has an abiding faith in the little fellow, which we trust may be fully realized. In a recent letter to the author, Mr. Case says :
‘ck ik 4 ~*~ Last winter we concluded to have him fired, which was done, and under the circumstances, he should have been left at rest for fully eight or nine months, but being rather anxious to get him again on the turf, we commenced jogging him. The result was, that his leg fevered up and enlarged a little. This caused us to turn him out for this whole season. He was not lame, and is not lame now, and I will show him to be a greater horse than ever, another year.”
St. Julien, a bay, is by Volunteer, a son of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, out of Flora, by Sayre’s Harry Clay. Harry Clay was also the sire of the famous brown mare, Green Mountain Maid, whose fame as the dam of Electioneer and other noted
oF
AMERICAN TROTTERS.
SSS Se
— 2-104
———
JAY-EYE-SEE, 2:10. Black gelding; foaled 1878; property of J. I. Case, Racine, Wis.
54 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
horses, is only exceeded by the universal regret among breeders of trotting stock at her death, which occurred June 6th, 1888. The dam of Harry Clay was by Imp. Bellfounder—surely St. Julien comes honestly by his speed.
Rarus, a bay, with blazed face and white hind ankles, third on the list, does not show such unmistakable blood lines as do the preceding, but there is still a foundation other than chance for his blood-like performances. His sire was known as Conklin’s Abdallah—claimed to be a son of Alexander’s Abdallah—but really of unknown pedigree; his dam was by Telegraph, out of a mare by Vermont Black Hawk.*
And now a word as to the phenomenal colts, Manzanita, Sable Wilkes, Wild- flower and Norlaine.
Manzanita, a bay mare, bred at Palo Alto, Cal., the best four-year-old, has a record at that age of 2:16. Her dam is Mayflower, by the pacer St. Clair, and her sire is Electioneer, the famous son of Green Mountain Maid and Hambletonian ( Man- zanita was severely injured by fire at Palo Alto, April 17th, 1888, and will probably never again appear on the track).
Sable Wilkes, a black stallion, best three-year-old, has a record at that age of 2:18; his dam is Sable, who combines the blood of Pilot Jr., Young Copper Bottom, Hambletonian and Mambrino Chief. His sire is Guy Wilkes, a grandson of Ham- bletonian, and tracing on the maternal side to Mambrino Chief and Seely’s American Star.
Wildflower, a bay mare, the best two-year-old, has a record at that age of 2:21. She is out of Mayflower, by Electioneer—exactly the breeding of Manzanita given above. +
Norlaine, a brown filly, the best yearling, whose record of 2:311% at that age astonished the world, was by Norval, a son of Electioneer, out of Elaine, the famous trotting daughter of Messenger Duroc and Green Mountain Maid. (Norlaine was fatally injured by fire at Palo Alto, April 17th, 1888, and died on Thursday, April 19th, following. )
All four of the young Champions are from California; three of them trace in direct descent to Electioneer—who has now (July 5th, 1888) 32 horses to his credit in the 2:30 list, making him an easy first among living sires of 2:30 horses—and all are from mares speedy both in blood and performance. Another point of interest in these cases, is found in the element of pacing blood, which has so kindly mingled with that of high performing trotters in their royal ancestry. As a fit recognition of the value of pacing blood in the American trotting horse, we give the following list of pacers that have made 2:14 or better.
Johnston, 2:06; Little Brown Jug, 2:1134; Sleepy Tom, 2:12; Buffalo Girl, 2:121%4; Rich Ball, 2:1214; Mattie Hunter, 2:1234; Brown Hal, 2:18; Bay Filly, Flora Bell, Fuller, Gem, Little Mack, Rowdy Boy and Westmont, each 2:133/; Arrow, Gossip Jr., Jewett, Lucy and Sorrel Dan, each 2:14.
Before leaving this chapter, it may be well to explain what is meant by the term “Standard Bred,” as applied to trotting stock; and this we do through the kindness of D. J. Campau, of The Horseman, Chicago, who sends the following
NEW STANDARD OF REGISTRATION: “Established by the National Association of Trotting Horse Breeders, December 14th, 1887.
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56 AMERICAN TROTTERS.
In order to define what constitutes a trotting bred horse, and to establish a breed of trotters on a more intelligent basis, the following rules are adopted to control admission to the records of pedi- grees. When an animal meets the requirements of admission, and is duly registered, it shall be accepted as a standard bred trotting animal.
“First. Any stallion that has himself a record of 2:30 or better, provided any of his get has a record of 2:35 or better, or, provided his sire or his dam is already a standard animal.
“Second. Any mare or gelding which has a record of 2:30 or better.
“Third. Any horse that is the sire of two animals with a record of 2:30, or better.
“Fourth. Any horse that is the sire of one animal with a record of 2:30 or better, provided he has either of the following additional qualifications: (1) A record himself of 2:35 or better. (2) Is the sire of two other animals with a record of 2:35 or better. (8) Has a sire or dam that is already a standard animal.
“Fifth. Any mare that has produced an animal with a record of 2:30 or better.
“Sixth. The progeny of a standard horse when out of a standard mare.
“Seventh. The female progeny of a standard horse when out of a mare by a standard horse.
“Eighth. The female progeny of a standard horse when out of a mare whose dam is a stand- ard mare.
“Ninth. Any mare that has a record of 2:35 or better, and whose sire or dam is a standard animal.”
Of most of our illustrations little need be said. Jay Eye See and Phallas, their sire Dictator; Harold, the sire of Maud S.; Belmont, and Electioneer, are already well known and universally admired, Pennant, the grand young horse from Willow Lawn Farm, Waverly, Ia., although not yet widely known, is destined to stand well up in the list of great stallions. The following, clipped from the Breeders’ Gazette, of Chicago, refers to the race for a purse of $600.00, 2:24 class, at Janesville, Wis., June 19th, 1887:
“In the very first race of the meeting, there was a terrific battle between Valkyr and the Son of Abe Downing; and the smart men who owned the bay mare and who piloted her down the central circuit line with such consummate skill last year, keeping her merits carefully concealed until she was ready to win a good race, must have felt chagrined, when they learned by bitter experience that the Iowa Stallion was more than a match for their mare—especially as this knowledge was not obtained until after their entry had won the first heat, and taken a record of 2:1934 in order to do it. Of course, they thought this speed did win, and so would any man, who was figuring on a 2:24 class at a June meeting; but in the very next heat, Pennant, having come second at the finish of the first mile, trotted the track in 2:21, and showed that this was not the limit of his capabilities by trotting the third mile in 2:193/, and the fourth in 2:21144. By his races at Freeport and Janesville, Pennant has proven himself to be a wonderfully good young horse, and as his breeding is of the most approved lines—his sire having made a record of 2:2034, and his dam being by Harold—his suc- cessful inauguration as a stallion when his turf days shall be over, is assured. Speed of the developed kind is what men who have mares to breed want in these progressive days; and the young stallion, no matter how fashionable his blood lines may be, has no chance against an animal whose speed has been developed and tested in actual contests.’
Olivette is a half sister to Pennant, and ofe of the best brood mares of the Wil- low Lawn Stud.
* Sept. 19th, 88, Mr. Gordon's erratic black gelding, Guy, secured a record of 2.12%, at Fleetwood Park, N. Y., making him the fourth fastes ttrotter in the world by the record. Guy is by Kentucky Prince, out of Flora Gardner.
} On Oct. 19th, °88, Sunol, at the Bay District Track, San Francisco, passed the Wildflower mark, and placed the one-mile two-year-old record at 220%. Sunol is a bay filly, foaled 1886, got by Electioneer out of Waxana.
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——
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Hambletonian -
( Abdallah
) |
| Chas.Kent Mare +
Abdallah
Untraced
Pilot (A Canadian pacer.)
_Nancy Pope
Boston
Maria Russell
Mambrino
< Amazonia.
One Eye
{ Mambrino J | Amazonia
(Said to be by a son of Imp. Messenger.
Imp. Bellfounder
1
Imp. Messenger Imp. Sour Crout
Daughter of ‘Imp. Whirligig Daughter of L
Miss Slammerkin, by Imp. Wildair
‘Bishop’s
Hambletonian Imp. Shark
Pheasant
| ) | . Messenger
Silvertail, by Imp. Messenger
Daughter of Imp. Medley “Imp. Messenger Imp. Sour Crout
Daughter of [ Imp. Whirligig
| (Said to be by a son of Imp. Messenger.) | Daughter of
-Harod (?)
Nancy Taylor
-Thornton’s Rattler
—
Miss Shepherd
*
4}
|
4
Miss Slammerkin, by Imp, Wildair Sir Charles
Chanticleer _ Priestess “Craig’s Alfred | camitta, by Symme’s Wildair
Son of pape Medley (?)
| Untraced
Stockholder
(ey Gallant
Miranda Imp. Diomed
lpaughter of Imp. Medley
Daughter of
Daughter of Imp. Juniper
PEDIGREES.
60
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61
PEDIGREES.
SEE.
EYE
JAY
{ Rysdyk’s Hambletonian
|
Clara
[ Pilot Jr.
| Twilight
|
(
~Mambrino Abdallah 4 Amazonia
Imp. Bellfounder
_Chas.Kent Mare +
| One Eye
American Star + (Stolkholm’s)
Seely’s American Star
Ke
| J | | Sally Slouch
_Dam of Shark
Pilot
(A Canadian pacer) ¢ -{ayoc (?) J
_Nancy Pope
|
| Nancy Taylor
( Imp. Messenger J |
| (Said to be by a son of Imp. Messenger.)
Daylight ( Imp. Glencoe
( Darkness
lmp. Sour Crout Daughter of 4 Daughter of
Imp. Messenger
Bishop’s Hambletonian Pheasant
Silvertail, by ;
Imp. Messenger
“Imp. Diomed
Imp. Whirligig
Miss Slammerkin, by Imp. Wildair
Imp. Shark 4
Daughter of Imp. Medley
Duroc _Amanda, by Gray Diomed “Imp. Diomed Untraced Sir Archy 4 | Rockingham Henry 4 _Castianira ,
Daughter of Imp. Messenger
“Sir Charles
>
| Chanticleer
_ Priestess ‘ | Craig’s Alfred (Son of Imp. Medley (?) )
Untraced
Wagner
Sir Richard Daughter of
Daughter of
Daughter of Imp, Diomed
| rabitha, by Trentham
| Camilla, by Symme’s Wildair
( Ogle’s Oscar 4 Imp. Knowsley | Daughter of Daughter of Imp, Diomed
PEDIGREES.
ELECTIONEER.
Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
Green Mountain Mai
Abdallah +
‘Imp. Mes- senger.
“Mambrino.
| Daughter of
Amazonia.
(Said to be bya son of Imp. Messenger).
“Imp. Bell- | founder. Chas. Kent + Bishop’s Mare. Hambleton- | jan. (One Eye. 4 Silvertail,
Sayre’s Harry Clay.
Shanghai Mary.
Cassius M.
Cassius M. Clay.
Clay,Jr. < (Neave’s.) |
Daughter of
Imp. Bellfounder.
(A very fast trotting mare of untraced
pedigree.)
Daughter of ¢
(Imp. Sour Crout. { Imp. Whirligig. \ Daughter of | Miss Slammerkin, by Imnp. Wildair. { Imp. Mes- senger.
{ Imp. Shark.
| Pheasant.
L | Daughter of Imp. Medley.
by Imp. Messenger.
{ Henry Clay. J (Son of Andrew Jackson.)
{ Imp. Mes- uneeced | senger. aa 4 (Imp. Sour | Crout. ( Chancellor. Daughter of +
| Daughter of | | | Imp. Messenger. | Daughter of 4
Engineer. (Son of Imp. Messenger.)
Imp. Whirligig.
Miss Slammerkin, by Imp. Wildair.
“Imp. Messenger.
| f LE SSS Py { Plato. | Imp. Shark. ! | | | _ Daughter of Davanieret . Pheasant. | Daughter of | Untraced. 7 _ Imp. Medley. ( Imp. Wildair. | (Rainbow. 4 | feu Boon en’ eard’s) | Daughter of 4 | Daughter of 4
| Untraced.
Imp. daughter of Buke of Bol- ton’s Starling.
ES.
DIGRE
PE
PENNANT.
Daughter of
Abe Downing
| J | |
Edwin Forrest
Joe Downing { ( i Lizzie Peoples /
f Harrison
Daughter of 4
{ Dam of Dick Jameson
Wagner, son of Sir Charles.
Untrac ed
“Imp. Messenger
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|
| Daughter of J |
{
Tom Hal (Pacer, founder of Baldstockings family.)
Untraced
)
| Untraced
Imp. Whirligig Miss Slammerkin, of Imp. Wildair
Imp. Shark
Daughter of Imp. Medley
(Imp. Whirligig
| { Miss Slammerkin, by Imp. Wildair
Imp. Sour Crout “Imp. Whirligig
Daughter of |
‘| Miss Slammerkin
| by Imp. Wildair
64 ORLOFF TROTTERS—SHETLANDS.
CHAPTER XI.
ORL OR REL RIO Vib Ras.
The Orloff family of trotting horses derives its name from the Russian Count Alexis Orloff Tschismensky, an enthusiastic lover of horses, who is credited with producing the breed.
In 1775, he imported the gray Arabian stallion, Smetanxa and power. This horse was used on a Danish mare, the produce being a stallion, known as Polkan First, who in turn produced from a Dutch mare the horse Bars First —commonly regarded as the progenitor of the breed. Lubezney First, Lebed First, and Dobroy First, three sons of Bars First, have given character to the blood of their sire, and helped to fix the trotting instinct. The Count selected his stallions invariably from the foundation stock just noted; but resorted to the better class of English and Dutch mares whenever practicable.
The Orloff, like the American Trotter, is a made-up animal; but he shows neither the speed at short distance, nor the endurance on a long stretch, which characterizes so many of our American Trotters. A few have been brought to America, but they are by no means generally known.
a horse of unusual size
The prevailing color is gray, but blacks are common and bays are frequently found. Possibly the Orloff may at some future time be used to relieve the inbred con- dition into which certain families of our American Trotters are in danger of falling; but as it stands now, the American is so far superior to the Russian Trotter that our own breeders of trotting stock have every reason to be well satisfied with the mag- nificent results already reached, and should feel encouraged to put forth still greater energies in the future.
CHAPTER XII.
SHETLAND PONIES.
They are, as the name indicates, natives of the Shetland Islands, north of Scotland. As to their origin, one thing may be stated without fear of contradiction, and that is: no trace of racing (Thoroughbred) blood has ever found its way into their breeding. Their resemblance to the ponies of Scandinavia, and the further fact that the Islands were first taken possession of by Scandinavian plunderers, and for a long time (until the Fifteenth Century) remained attached to the Crown of Norway, furnish
(azt, woz yo}ays ¥ 19}F" paavasuy)
“SSINOd GNV1ILAHS
SHETLANDS.
66 SHETLANDS—WELSH PONIES.
good evidence that the Shetland Ponies are of Norwegian derivation. Tradition, however, has it, that some of the horses carried by the great Spanish Armada
many vessels of which were wrecked off the rugged Shetland coast—escaped to the Islands and have since left their impress upon the native pony stock; the tradition has the color of probability; more than this cannot be definitely stated. Whatever their origin or subsequent mixture with other breeds, the Shetlands show in appearance and _ char- acter, the well known influence of severe climate and scanty food. They are extremely hardy; very small—standing about 8 to 11 hands high; shaggy coated, with bushy mane and tail; always round and smooth in the barrel; with short fine legs and round handsome feet. All colors are found, but brown, black and spotted—black and white or brown and white, are most common.
The Shetlands are the safest and most popular ponies for children’s use, and large numbers of them are, and have been, annually brought to the United States for this purpose. They are remarkably intelligent, and can be readily trained. Their hardi- ness and muscular endurance have always been marked; but they have little or no practical value outside of that already mentioned. When bred in America, the superior food and attention given causes a considerable increase in size; and—since the smallest ponies are in greatest demand—this fact has led to the practice, quite common at the present time, of importing as wanted for sale direct from the Islands.
The illustration—engraved after a sketch from life, expressly for our use—is an accurate representation of the breed.
CHAPTER XIII.
Weis E> PrOUNGE ES:
Of late years quite a number of these beautiful little fellows have found their way to the United States; and, like the Shetlands, are in great demand for children’s use. Of their origin Low says:
“The mountains of Wales in like manner, give birth to a race of small horses adapted to an
elevated country of scanty herbage, * * * which must be supposed to be pure with respect to their descent from the pristine race.”
The typical Welsh Pony stands about 13 hands high, has a small head, high withers, smooth, rounded, close coupled body, with neat, flat legs and sound feet. Color varies, bays and browns, especially the lighter shades, are common, and blacks and other colors frequently found.
EXMOORS—MUSTANGS. 67
CHAPTER XIV.
EXMOOR PONIES.
This breed—a few of which have been imported to the United States—has its origin in the Exmoor Forest region, lying partly in Devonshire and partly in Somer- setshire, England. They are doubtless descended from the same original stock as the Welsh breed, but differ considerably from the latter at the present time.
They are shaggy, long haired; stand about 12 or 13 hands high, and, although not so smooth and attractive in appearance as the Welsh, are said to be remarkably hardy. Bays, browns and blacks are the most common colors.
CHAPTER XV.
MEE XCCeASN) TESOUN GE Si (MUSTANGS. )
Since the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards (1519-22) a race of so-called Mexican horses has been established, differing from their Spanish ancestry only in those things naturally affected by the semi-wild state in which they have existed, and the consequent lack of artificial care and attention. From Mexico they scattered gradu- ally northward until the entire Southwest, including Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, Was supplied with a native or wild horse stock, from the same original source. Doubt- less, also, the Mexican breed has contributed largely to form the pony breeds of the more northern Indian tribes. Discussion of this point will come, however, more prop- erly under the next heading, which see.
In Texas the Mexican Ponies have been commonly called “ Mustangs,” and it is by this name that they have become notorious as the most ill-tempered, unmanageable, but, withal, most wiry, tough and enduring specimens of the equine race to be found.
In height, they stand about 12 to 13 or 14 hands, weighing from 600 to 800 lbs.; all colors are found, but the colors which might perhaps be called characteristic of the breed are yellow clay, smoky dun and mouse, with usually a darker stripe along the middle of the back. The various shades of roan are quite common—white or pink roans nearly always showing a skin of the same color at the nose and on inside of thighs; and spotted ponies—* paints” —are frequently found.
The prominent characteristic of the Mexican Mustang lies in his wonderful powers of endurance; he will carry a heavy man on his back, and make a distance
MUSTANGS.
(Engraved from a photo. taken at Laredo, Texas.)
MUSTANGS—-INDIAN PONIES. 69
each day for a month or six weeks’ journey, that would tax the powers of the best Kentucky Thoroughbred. As to their viciousness or ill-temper, about which so much has been written, we think it entirely overdrawn. Mustang colts, taken up when two years old, and handled in the same manner that Eastern horsemen handle colts of higher market value, will show a disposition entirely different from the wild, vicious temper commonly imputed to them. Indeed the reverse is also true, since it is a well- known fact that among “American” horses—as the larger improved horses brought from the East are called—or their descendants on the range, are found the worst specimens of the “bucking” or “pitching” type. While the tendency of running wild is always toward wildness, if not viciousness, yet we believe the notorious Mustang disposition is largely a product of very poor methods of breaking and handling.
Before leaving this subject, it may be of interest to note a remarkable case of prolonged gestation, reported by Mr. Z. T. Moore, of Traer, Ia., in the Breeders’ Gazette of Chicago. The mare is said to be a Mustang; in 1887 she carried her foal 377 days, and in 1888 the foal was retained 389 days—foals in both instances doing well. The average period of gestation for mares under domestication rarely exceeds 350 to 360 days; but it is commonly observed that mares of any breed, as a rule, carry their foals longer when allowed to breed and range in pasture without care or restraint, than when kept up and favored with extra care and attention. We have no doubt that, if statistics could be as carefully kept of the service and birth dates among semi-wild horses as is done among careful breeders of improved stock—we should find a marked difference in the average length of gestation.
The illustration was engraved expressly for our use, from a photograph, taken at Laredo, Texas, and is a fair representation of the modern Mexican Pony. Mr. E. H. Sauvignet, of Laredo, has our thanks for assistance in securing photo.
CHAPTER XVI.
DN VANE | EiO UNA SE
As noted in the preceding chapter, Indian Ponies doubtless trace in direct line to a more or less remote Mexican ancestry. Indeed, the horse-stock of the tribes of Western Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, is nothing if not Mexican; but of the more northern tribes, it is probable that another factor has been potent in forming the breed. That the other factor must be sought in northern latitudes, is beyond question, and we are convinced—after careful, continued observation of the ponies belonging to the various “ Reservation” Tribes—that the Canadian Pony, a descendant of the small horse stock of France, imported to Canada at an early date, is the animal that must bear the responsibility. We adopt this conclusion for several reasons, chief among them being the fact that Mustang colors are rarely found among Indian Ponies proper —the latter showing a great predominance of dark bay, brown and spotted (bay and
70
| i |
I
INDIAN
PONIES,
(Engraved from a photo, taken in the Indian Territory.)
INDIAN PONIES. 71
white or brown and white), and the further fact that their conformation is decidedly different. The spotted marking is quite common and it is difficult to trace its source unless we accept the common belief that it is derived from horses inhabiting the moun- tainous parts of Persia and adjoining countries, through the Spanish and French ancestry.
Indian Ponies are, as a rule, kind and gentle; enduring as much in the colder regions of the Northwest, as do their Mustang relations in the Southwest. There is very little ill-temper observed among northern Indian Ponies: a simple fact—whether due to different treatment or to modification by Canadian crosses—we do not pretend to say.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, dark bay, brown and spotted (bay and white and brown and white), with almost always darker points. Some of these ponies are a most beautiful blood-bay with black points, and when they can be obtained, make excellent saddle ponies. (As a rule the better class of Indians are loth to part with their ponies, and even when a sale has been completed, it is no uncommon thing for the Indian to become sick of his bargain before the pony is out of sight, and insist on buying it back again.)
In height they stand about 12 to 13 or 14 hands, weighing from 650 to 850 pounds: they are rather more blocky built than Mustangs, the cannons are wider, and the pasterns more on the upright order.
The illustration was engraved from a photograph taken in the Chicasaw Nation, Indian Territory; and we take this occasion to return thanks to Mr. E. J. Smith, of Woodford, I. T., for his kind assistance in securing it. The ponies represented, weigh about 700 Ibs. each, and are said, by the Indians, to be purely Indian bred as far back as their ancestry is known. The boy holding them is a 17 year old full-blooded Chi- casaw, by name, John Turnbull.
2 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.
CHAPTER XVII.
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.
In selecting a horse, more actual knowledge is needed than can be secured from books alone: the accurate judge of horse flesh is one who has made the subject a practical, continued study for years; and who has at command, not only the close knowledge gained by experience, but a good understanding, as well, of the principles which underlie Force and Action applied in the movements of the horse. For an exhaustive discussion of this subject, the reader is referred to any one of the special works on the horse—especially such books as Sanders’ Horse Breeding and Helm’s American Roadsters and Trotting Horses, with which he is doubtless already familiar. We can only undertake to give a few of the more prominent points, which may pos- sibly aid somewhat in forming an intelligent judgment.
First. For draft, a horse must have weight: he may have fine action also, but the weight he must have if capable of long pulls before heavy loads. The shoulders should be upright and heavy below, in order that strain on the traces may be met by collar resistance at such an angle as will utilize all of the force exerted. The draft horse should stand fairly high in front (rather prominent withers) and must have a chest of ample width to permit free expansion of lungs, when under any temporary strain. The legs are best short, and should never exhibit that smooth, puffy appear- ance which always indicates a tendency to form fat at the expense of muscle; the cannons should be flat, and the joints, especially, hard and firmly bound together. As we have stated, fine action is not absolutely necessary, but for farm use a good sprightly walk is certainly desirable. Right here we may say, that a horse of 1200 to 1400 lbs. weight, is about the heaviest that will be found profitable on the ordinary farm; the heavier animals will always be in demand for a different purpose, and an intelligent judgment will select in reference to the purpose for which desired. To be too “fiery” or “high strung” is an objection: the draft horse should be, pre-eminently, an animal of quiet—yet not sluggish—temperament. A strong, even puller will resist fatigue better, and do more service.
Second. For speed, the shoulders should be slanting; the withers medium to low; the loin and rump high, and the hind-quarters long and furnished with powerful muscles. In the race horse, the propelling power comes from the rear, and a greater mistake could not be made than to select, for running, a horse at all deficient in these parts, no matter how fully he might fill the judgment in other respects. The legs must have some length, and here may be added double caution as to their quality: not a particle of surplus flesh or fat should be apparent, and joints in particular must be closely knit together. The English government has a set of rules for the use of those
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. (bs
who select horses for cavalry service, and we insert them here; they are called “Points for Rejection,” but will answer equally well as points for selection:
“ Reject a horse whose fore-legs are not straight; they will not stand wear. Stand behind the horse as it walks away from you, and you will be able to notice these defects, if they exist.
“ Reject a horse that is light below the knee, especially if immediately below the knee; the con- formation is essentially weak.
“Or a horse with long, or short, or upright pasterns; long pasterns are subject to sprains; short or upright pasterns make a horse unpleasant to ride, and, on account of extra concussions, are apt to cause ossific deposits.
“Ora horse with toes turned in or out. The twist generally occurs at the fetlock. Toes turned out are more objectionable than toes turned in. When toes turn out the fetlocks are generally turned: in, and animals so formed are very apt to cut or brush. Both, however, are weak formations.
“ Reject a horse whose hind legs are too far behind; good propelling power will be wanting, and disease as a result may be expected in the hocks. Anda horse which goes either very wide or very close behind, and one with very straight or very bent hocks; the former cause undue concus- sion; the latter are apt to give way.
‘Reject a horse that is ‘split-up’—that is, shows much daylight between his thighs; propelling power comes from behind, and must be deficient in horses without due muscular development between. the thighs.
“Reject a horse with flat or over large feet, or with very small feet; medium sized are best.
“ Also a horse with one foot smaller than another.”
It may be stated that the trotting gait seems to depend not more upon conforma- tion than upon an innate tendency, “instinct,” in the horse to go at that gait. Possi- bly—we might even say probably—the relative lengths of thigh and distance from hip to hock, and the two as compared with length below the hock may aid this ten- dency in permitting great speed on the track. Most of our famous trotters have shown 39 to 42 inches from hip to hock, and a corresponding 23 to 24 inch thigh. Another point of interest is found in the fact, that a horse with long forearm and short front cannon will trot with an easy deceiving action, bending the
a long hind leverage
knee but little, and never “ pounding” heavily, even at greatest speed.
Soundness (by which is meant freedom from disease or any abnormal feature) is of prime importance, especially in selecting for stud use; and while we cannot under- take a description of the numerous blemishes and diseases to which the horse is sub- ject, we may call brief attention to the nature and relative consequence of some of the more common troubles:
“Founder” (Laminitis in its various forms) is caused by over-heating, over-feed- ing, or drinking to excess. Although a systemic disturbance, it is usually manifested in the feet, and a horse once foundered is very likely afterward to have frequent trouble in these parts. ‘“ Sweeny” (Atrophy or Shrinking of the shoulder muscles) is another manifestation of injury, which can be “cured,” but is always liable to reap- pear on slight provocation. A sweenied horse, no matter how thoroughly he may have been “cured,” it is always safe to reject.
Corns may be easily detected by tapping sharply with any blunt pointed instru- ment on the sole of the foot, in the angle formed by the wall at the quarter and the inflected portion bounding either side of the frog; they never appear in any other place. Bad corns are very hard to cure, and a horse thus afHicted had best be thrown
out; but mild corns—caused usually by poor shoeing—can be easily and permanently
cured, and need not weigh heavily against the purchase of an otherwise desirable
74 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.
horse. Contracted feet, also caused by improper shoeing, may be placed in the same class as corns. Both these troubles, if mild, may be cured, as a rule, by removing shoes, paring down the foot at the quarters, and letting the animal run at grass, bare- footed, for a month or six weeks.
Spavin in all its forms is a trouble we have always been afraid of; some writer has called it “the sum of all villainy in horse-flesh”—and so it is. It affects the hind leg at the hock joint, sometimes as a watery swelling in front called « Bog Spavin,” or in the rear on either side of the hamstring, when it is called “ Thoroughpin,” but in any case, it is liable to affect the small bones of this region, cause abnormal bone deposit, and become the justly dreaded “Bone Spavin,” by which so many originally valuable animals are ruined annually. By all means reject a horse showing any indi- cation of Spavin or of “treatment” for Spavin.
Curb, affecting the back or point of the hock, is of less moment; it is generally caused by kicking against something hard, or habitually stepping over something just high enough to strike the heel in passing. If the injury is recent, frequent and vigorous rubbing will effect a cure; if bone deposit has formed, it will always leave a blemish, but the horse may be—and usually is—serviceably sound. Splint—usually appearing as a hard bunch on the inner side of a front cannon, but sometimes on either side of any cannon, front or rear—is another trouble about like curb; it leaves a blemish, and of course prevents great speed, but, for ordinary use, the animal is as good as ever.
Ringbone affects the bones of the pastern—making a bony bunch of considerable and causing, usually, serious lameness. It is considered incurable. Horses with short, upright pasterns, are much more subject to this trouble, and to the next, than are those with pasterns of an opposite character. Coffin joint lameness ( Navicular dis- ease ) is one of those troubles about which little is really known, but much written. The Coffin or Navicular joint is just within the hoof, and hence, practically, inacces-
size
sible for treatment. As noted under Ringbone, horses with vertical pasterns are more subject to these troubles and should be rejected, especially when selecting for light wagon or carriage use.
Concerning care and management, it has been our aim to secure statements, from successful breeders, of the actual methods employed by them in feeding, handling and breeding stock. In these statements are represented breeders of various classes of stock, and in different climates; and we present the following letters, in the firm belief that the information thus given is well worth a careful study:
French Draft, Percherons and Trotters.
“Houston, TEx., July 17, 1888. * * * *
“In the growing of horses, my object has been to produce the best horse at the least expense, and to accomplish this, I have spared no pains in first securing the best of sires, and then providing clean, wholesome stables, well ventilated, with pure water and wholesome food; usually feeding oats twice a day and wheat bran once, but an occasional gradual change from oats to corn I have found advisable in maintaining the appetite. I give every sire at least five miles exercise per day. I regard this exercise as of special importance in the season for actual service. He is then always healthful and vigorous. This applies to either pure-bred or standard-bred sires that are kept up, and served to halter to choice mares, when registration of their progeny is required. Less valuable sires, when
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES. 715
their progeny are supposed to sell only on their individual merits, I have found it more economical and raised a larger percentage of colts, to turn them out in pastures with a limited number of mares, not to exceed 25, not failing to give them a feed of oats each day to keep them strong and vigcrous; and, in fact, “turned loose” is the most natural way, and in all classes of breeding, it has been my experience that to assist nature is the best that we can do.
“In providing food for mares, we have found it most satisfactory and economical to cut and stack hay in pastures, the stacks serving as food and shelter, and with much less expense ana waste than any other way. Colts, when of sufficient age to take from their mothers, we catch, halter and hitch in stable, until they learn to eat, and lose all fear of being handled, and when again caught, if not until maturity, they will not forget their early handling at the halter. We then turn them in pas- ture by themselves, where they have all the hay, oats and bran they will eat the first winter. They have then arrived at the age of one year, in a thrifty, growing condition, and will take care of them- selves in pasture until matured to the age of 3 or 4 years, suitable to break to saddle and harness. At this time avoid ‘breaking’ their temper and constitution, but on the contrary through a process of kindness, teach them to lose all fear, and when this is accomplished, the natural instincts control, and they will then intelligently respond to all reasonable calls. A little feed in winter, where circum- stances and numbers will admit, would be a judicious expense.
Yours very truly, H. B. SANBORN.”
Mr. Sanborn’s methods give a clear idea of handling for profit in the Southwest. The practice of breaking colts at an early age can not be too strongly urged; once trained, the spirit of obedience to a master’s will is never lost. The natural way of breeding—“ turned loose”—is the practice adopted by all breeders of pony mares to common stallions, and is satisfactory so far as percentage of foals to service is con- cerned; but it must be remembered that to secure higher results states
as Mr. Sanborn nature needs a large amount of assistance—-indeed, a very high type of skilled “Art” is required to develop and bring to the surface the actual, but latent, merit of an individual or breed.
Cleveland Bays, English Shires and Clydesdales.
“ SPRINGFIELD, ILL., August 10th, 1888. * * * *
“My way of handling a stallion is as follows: During the winter, whilst I give him a fair allow- ance of grain, mixed with bran, and cut hay or oat sheaves, I do not let him get too fleshy, giving him good exercise daily, and a few weeks prior to commencing the season, increase his allowance of grain (chiefly oats) so that on going on the stand, the horse is improving (7. e., fleshing up). Whilst making a season, I give a horse all he will eat (without crowding him), and in addition to the grain feed, give where possible some green feed, once or twice per day. If not available, then the best hay morning and night. I usually feed one meal per day, damped with water.
“With regard to breeding or brood mares, would say: If there is sufficient good nutritious grass available, they should not require anything else, but a mare to be bred should also be improving in flesh, and will be much more liable to get in foal under such conditions; a little extra feed at this time is not thrown away.
“Tn addition to their mothers’ milk, colts should have access to a feed of crushed oats and bran, at least twice daily, and although many think this unnecessary, I think the growth and superiority of colts reared under these conditions, will, after being once tried, convince the most skeptical, of the benefits to be derived from a generous feed in addition to that provided by nature; besides, a colt is so much more easily weaned when taught to eat and look out for himself when young. All colts should be handled, haltered and broke when three years old. * * * *
Yours truly, R. P. STERICKER.”’
Mr. Stericker believes in feeding his colts, and we think the point is well taken. At no other time in the period of horse existence will a little feed give such large
76 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES.
return as during the first and second years, and the so-called economy of short rations at this time, is really the very opposite of economy in fact.
Cleveland Bays and English Shires.
“CEDAR FaLts Stock Farm, CEDAR FALts, Iowa, Aug. 15, 1888. * * * *
“Having so many stallions, it is impracticable to give them harness or saddle exercise as required. We have, however, large well fenced exercising grounds into which they are turned singly, daily. The exercise and rolling contact with mother earth, voluntarily taken in the sunlight, aids to keep them healthy, They have box stalls well lighted and ventilated, with earth floors and perfect clean- liness. Their food in the off season, should be clean, bright hay, oats mixed with bran or shorts, and once or twice a week, some vegetables. It is also desirable to cut and save in cellar for winter, sods of grass, to give them occasionally, which are eaten with avidity and benefit. In very cold weather a little corn would aid in maintaining animal heat, but we use it very sparingly. In case of hard feces, indicating costiveness, steep half pint of flaxseed, and feed with oats. We aim to keep them in good heart through the winter, but not fleshy. In the breeding season, the ration is more liberal and supplemented by half pint to a pint of hempseed (which is not a drug and is harmless) say three times a week, and raw eggs about as often, mixed with the feed. Fresh grass is always craved and is beneficial. For mares, free run in pasture on grass—the natural food—is best, with, when necessary, some oats and bran. Toward time for stinting to the horse, half pint of hempseed is desirable three times a week, and for a short time after service. It is undoubtedly good for both stallions and mares to have reasonable, careful work at proper times, to develop stamina and muscle and give constitution to offspring. Colts should run freely in pasture and have, when on dry food, a few oats, bran and vegetables; kept growing thriftily but not pampered; should be handled often, firmly but kindly. This should also be the rule in handling stallions.
Very respectfully, W. M. Fretps & Bro.”
The Cedar Falls Stock Farm is well known as carrying an excellent stock of horses. Mr. Fields admits that it is impossible, on account of the number on hand, to give each stallion the exercise which should be given, but thinks they have adopted the next best plan—daily yard runs in the open air. In lieu of the green sods cut and kept for winter use as suggested, we have understood that ensilage in small quantities has been used to advantage, and we should think the practice would involve much less trouble and expense.
American Trotters.
“ WILLow LAwN Farm, WAVERLY, Iowa, July 26th, 1888. * * * *
“As I have been away from home since July 1st, have had no time to prepare statement of care of mares and colts, as requested; but our practice is to keep as close to nature as possible, giving mares entire fréedom, and feeding only such grain as is necessary to keep them in fine condition at all times. Our colts are constantly handled by quiet, careful men, so that when ready to put in har- ness, we have seldom any trouble with them. We have about 50 high bred mares, and we try to give each mare and colt such care as their individual condition requires.
Very truly yours, J. H. Bowman.”
Knowing the high character of “ Willow Lawn” stud, we can only express regret that Mr. Bowman had not time to give us a more extended outline of his practice.
Draft and Trotting Horses.
“ FISKVILLE, TRAVIS CounTy, TEXAS, Aug. 27th, 1888. * * * *
“In keeping stallions for public service, I have handled each year, for the past fifteen years, from 50 to 150 mares; one stallion that I stood six consecutive seasons, averaged, according to accu-
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES, CH
rate, written records, 83 per cent. of foals to mares served, and all animals handled by me have aver- aged about 75 per cent., whilst I do not think the general average will exceed 50 per cent. of foals to mares served,
“ My practice is to have the stallion in strong, vigorous condition, and to keep him so, through- out the breeding season—say from March Ist to July 1st—by constant and abundant exercise; and no plan will give this needed exercise in so desirable and economical shape, as to make a business horse of him—under the saddle and in harness, one or both. The constant use, association and control, by his master, renders him obedient, manageable, and safe; whilst it also keeps all the vital organs in full and vigorous play—which gives a larger per cent. of foals from his service, and with more constitu- tion and vitality. I wish to emphasize this point, for it is opposite to the prevailing custom.
“ Next, be sure your mare is in season (heat) when the stallion serves her; it requires experience to determine this accurately—mares vary greatly in temperament, or nervous organization, and con- sequently conduct themselves differently in the presence of the stallion. Such mares as have dropped foals, will, almost invariably, be in heat in from seven to ten days after foaling, and with all mares—but especially those with young colts by their sides, restrain the stallion, compelling him to approach the pole slowly and carefully, so as to allay her fear on behalf of the colt. I always have the colt accompany its mother, else she is fretting for it, and it is more difficult to ascertain her true condition. After the first service by stallion, it is plain sailing; if the mare’s condition is normal until she is safe in foal, heat will recur at intervals of 21 days, varying a little with the individual; thus you will see why a reasonable degree of success attends those who practice returning mares on the seventh or ninth day after service. My observation has been that mares carry a heat, on the average, five days.
“When foaling time is at hand see that the mare is exposed to no extra risks, then let her alone. When the mother’s milk fails to keep the foal fat feed her grain to enrich it, and that the colt may learn to eat and digest the grain perfectly before weaning time, which should be done at from six to eight months of age, at which time it should be abundantly and regularly supplied with nutritious food. Oats and bran are my choice, with corn added as cold weather comes on; the desideratum being to keep up thrift and growth from birth to maturity. If this is interrupted at any stage, one loses not only in size, but in style or symmetry. Where growing colts are thus constantly associated with man, the breaking in to service is a simple thing; the transition is so easy and natural that they hardly know it, and where light and occasional work is performed by them between the second and third years, by the time maturity is reached, the animals are thoroughly developed, trained and safe, and will command the very highest market price for their respective kinds. In fact, from discrimin- ating buyers, a horse known to be thus raised and trained will command an extra price.
Very truly yours, C. A. GRAVES.”
Mr. Graves is careful to emphasize the necessity for actual use, either under the saddle or in harness, of service stallions; and brings out clearly the points in breeding on which beginners are apt to stumble. His letter contains some valuable information well worth remembering.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS.
To trace the early history and establish the origin of this now firmly settled and improved breed, it ismecessary to go back over the much disputed ground, until recently bitterly contested by the Holstein and the Dutch-Friesian Associations. The Friesians, or North Hollanders, from the earliest history have dwelt along the shores of the North Sea, and have possessed abundance of cattle; their history dates as far back as 300 B. C., and their cattle at that time are supposed to have been pure white; tradi- tion intimates that the progenitors of the breed came from India, but we have no authentic records to that effect. 200 years later, the Batavians appear in history; they settled near the Friesians, and it is supposed that the cattle which they brought with them were black. From the crossing of these two breeds, then, might easily have arisen the black and white color of the present breed; however vague this theory of their origin may be, it is certain that these two tribes or provincial nations were after- wards known in common, and together celebrated for the excellence and great number of their cattle—so much so, indeed, that when present Holland came under Roman authority, the Friesians were required to pay an annual tax in hides, horns and cattle: the Batavians chose rather to furnish soldiers, and from this time on they seem to have relegated to the Friesians all the responsibility, labor and emolument arising from the cattle industry.
As to whether the cattle of Friesland or North Holland were originally obtained from the province of Holstein—lying in the northern part of Germany, along the border—or the exact reverse; or, indeed, as to the truth of either assertion, it is not, now, necessary to consider: time has only made certain what all candid breeders of either Holsteins or Dutch-Friesians never denied—that the cattle of Holstein and those of Friesland or North Holland are, and for many years have been, practically identi- cal. The Holstein Breeders Association was organized and the name adopted in good faith—what more suitable name for a breed than that of the country in which it has reached perfection? But gradually the cattle of Holstein were culled of the best specimens, and importers began to secure choice animals from North Holland, calling them, and having them recorded as, Holsteins. | Possibly this fact may have hastened the organization of the Dutch-Friesian Association: be that as it may, the latter named society was organized in 1877, and the first volume of the Dutch-Friesian Herd Book of America appeared in 1880. To a careful observer, the name appeared to be about the only real difference between these two recognized breeds, and attempts were early made by the more conservative breeders on both sides, to join forces and admit their identity, by importing and breeding under one name instead of two. The name Hol- stein had an undoubted priority in America, and the black and white cattle of Fries-
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land were persistently libeled as “ Holsteins” by those who were either ignorant of the Friesian name, or too partisan in their views to regard it with fairness.
The Dutch- Friesian breeders scored a strong point in their favor when they adopted for their Herd-Book the Main or Advanced Register—of which we will speak later— in addition to the usual pedigree register of other breeds. Selfish interests undoubt- edly operated to prevent a union of the two associations, but gradually the pressure of public opinion, combined with the good sense of the majority of breeders, effected a union: a joint committee having been appointed for the purpose of drafting a plan for consolidation, the two associations met in joint session May 26th, 1885, and form- ally adopted the plans prepared by the committee. The Holstein-Friesian Association (Thos. B. Wales, of Iowa City, Secretary,) retains the Advanced Registry feature, and we have thought best to insert here a summary of the rules and requirements for admission to this higher record—condensed from the full regulations adopted by the Association:
First. An animal must be eligible to record in the Pedigree Register.
Second. If a bull, he must have shown his superior qualities by his progeny, and must scale at least 80 points of the scale adopted; if a cow, she must have borne a calf, and made one of the following records: If calving when between two and three years old (1) a minimum record of 10 Ibs. butter in seven consecutive days; or (2) 7200 Ibs. milk in 10 consecutive months; or (3) 396 lbs. milk in 10 consecutive days, and a second record (4) of 132 Ibs. milk in 10 consecutive days, made at any time after a period of 8 months from date of calving. If calving when between three and four years old—periods same as above—(1) a minimum of 12 Ibs. butter; or (2) 8500 Ibs. milk; or (3) 473 Ibs. milk, and (4) 154 Ibs. milk. If calving when between four and five years old—periods same as above—(1) 2 minimum of 14 lbs. butter; or (2) 10,000 Ibs. milk; or (3) 550 Ibs. milk, and (4) 187 lbs. milk. If calving when above five years of age—periods same as above—(1) a minimum of 16 Ibs. butter; or (2) 11,500 Ibs. milk; or (3) 633 Ibs. milk, and (4) 212 lbs. milk. All the records must be made within a period of 11 months from date of calving; the cow must be milked clean at the start, and days must be counted strictly—24 hours in each; butter must be salted not heavier than one ounce to the pound, and worked free from excess of water or buttermilk; each record must be sworn to by each and every person assisting in
making it——including, in all cases, the owner.
DESCRIPTION:
In outline they present the typical milk wedge with narrow shoulder points and wide strong hips; color jet black and pure white, more or less evenly variegated over the entire body; the brush of the tail must always be white no matter how strongly black may predominate elsewhere; the tastes of breeders differ as to markings, some preferring an excess of white, or at least evenly variegated, while others prefer to breed for a predominance of black, confining the white to the belly line, brush and star in forehead. In size they are fully equal to the Shorthorn or Hereford—bulls weighing from 1900 to 2300 lbs. and cows from 1200 to 1600 lbs.—lacking the square heavy appearance of these breeds, but suggesting magnificent constitutions by their powerful frames. The head is long with very little flesh, and prominent muzzle- veins; the mouth large and coarse; nostrils large and flexible; eyes not especially
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84 HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS.
prominent, but large, bright and wide apart; face beautifully dished; horns small, clear at base, with black tips, usually pointing forward; ears large, thin, quick in movement and of a yellowish oily texture within; neck long, slender and finely taper- ing in the cow, with small dewlap suspended from lower one-third—in the bull the neck should still be fine at the head, but heavy, muscular and well set on at the shoul- ders. The shoulders are thin above, but long and very deep, giving a much greater shoulder-beef capacity than would appear at first thought. The rib arches gradually increase toward the loin region, giving ample room in the abdominal cavity, and by no means crowding the chest. The barrel gradually deepens to the region of the flank, which is low and well-muscled. The loin is full; hips wide apart, and on a level with although in some of the best milkers, there is
the back; back straight throughout more or less drop from the sacral region; buttocks large, and the angle between them in the cow wide, giving ample room for passage of fcetus at parturition; tail long, slender and delicately tapering to the brush; hind quarters very heavy; legs rather longer than in the Shorthorn or Hereford, but straight and finely formed—crooked legs as a necessary accompaniment to milking qualities, no longer exist. The udder should be broad, square, close up to the body and spreading well forward on to the abdomen—long, low hanging meaty udders, that are nearly as large after milking as when distended with milk, are very objectionable; teats are nearly always even, good shape—not conical—and the reservoirs supplying them of about equal dimensions in the four divisions of the udder; escutcheon varies, and to select well, requires an accu- rate knowledge of these peculiar “mirrors,” which we cannot give in a work of this kind. (For a very exhaustive exposition of the indications of escutcheons, we most heartily recommend the American translation of Guenon’s Milch Cows.) The milk veins are remarkably developed in the best specimens, and the brisket, while not so low as in some other breeds, is broad and full. The skin is of medium thickness, soft and mellow to the touch; and the hair short, fine and close lying. The following Scale of Points was adopted August 12th, 1885, and is now in general use:
cows. BULLS. Disiave: cea are Ghee oie aera sine ea dee sa cistsnsreveue ts.cyeters, adoisne, orheters 2 Dinaalee ahanahtess ey adere ebeyfeoseet ters Eoreheaditerar cessed suai cyorciereves tiers 2 PASTS EPCR IC SEs CARE CARAT CRA Hacey arabe. sn cvearsrnen remiss 2 es i tre be Jae Uns rete ee uray ouch FEFAT SHereatethaeel set eke as elonee usec een 1 Diss so sesspet a alee cosas errs OATS DRO oeaeEa IOs OC Cee 2 OD sterieae tat oe ne elCee LORS saree cise shee es ieuaie sueecnee eRe nei 2 A ayo. cle tees eee See IIR ETO Nleeke oc Satiethic rans sisunabe sunceteioyerele eens 5 bE ep er re eee VE Shoulders sccine sce oat eee 4 Gissimatbaskertees coe Chest eetee ect cum sok ieatne creer 8 2 siaiva lates onsen peace eee ee Gropsi.ncias cs eee ee teenth 1 Bis Gia bis een ebe eee eee 1S}: Yo) See IMER EIS Clavnamiom ca Dat 3 Dis ectroithd, SI SISter Barrel ..:staicic cng ce SaGce Ue ee ontore 6 Soe Pato remo dao os Coyisbengllsbhsogoopcocnosdscoate- 5) As “siiantthoe dee a, eo IR iehaoinib oo das omooovCoe oud oS 5
HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS, 85
LS MUNROE ING chew snatonel sy arti ei tvs evar eis OR WALOMM EAE leew: 51 ADP RT to etccsieie ait ois; Sele ts HUPUeA sere ae ci eoe eee steve» © 4 Ae are gta ars ave wana, we a)'s Quartersis vereriseteneclere! ious seeieve’s 5 PE bat eokO CHEER ORCERC CRC CRORES Flainks\ sae rao cre aie slcvevere 2 2 Dyivereyencisherniowe aie sovniele) wets Ny eI aid.oin 0 her ion 6.3.0.0 REG CIGOIG 6 pears heer cielenivorstotavere Geist Wailescc. od Setrone or sere erate os 2
LQURS fora's ot evsveceisielelaveleieyetels ‘ae Haimand) Handlincoeseere eee - 10
AND e Pa vcca, cues sve eee once ever er sis Mammary Vieinss-. = ire oe 10
NL rerelsieie terse ele ele es ee Widder: science sks cee eas Giercreitoceuactereiayerctaelewne. spares Biscutohe ont 55-06 1c -ysrsreere stele 8
Breech oirsa oss oveveytarenen kenets) sx ov Reudimentanys Meatsseritett- tere NO Oigererctecsteterouctercretaratetate tus Perfection\tsnsmitexkecoc acess 100
CHARACTERISTICS, USES AND ADAPTABILITY:
The prominent characteristic of the Holstein-Friesian cow lies in her wonderful milk production; and of the bull, in his power to transmit superior milking qualities to his offspring. They are admittedly a superior milk breed, giving a large quantity of milk, especially rich in casein, and fairly good in butter content. Clothilde pro- duced 26,021 lbs. 2 oz. of milk in one year
the second largest record ever made by a cow of any breed; she has also a record of 28 Ibs. 21% oz. of butter in seven days- Recently some astonishing results have been obtained in the butter line: a Mercedes heifer, property of Thomas B. Wales, Jr., of Iowa City, Iowa, dropped her first calf February 13th, 1887, and when she was 2 years and 12 days old, commenced a seven days test. (See rules for admission to Advanced Register.) She produced 21 lbs. 8 oz. of unsalted butter in the seven days, from a yield of 312 Ibs. 6 oz. of milk—said to be the largest certified record, with one exception, ever made by a heifer. That this
remarkably high butter yield is unusual must be admitted, but we give it as illustrat- ing the future possibilities of the Holstein-Friesian breed.
Pieterje, 2nd, property of Mr. Dallas B. Whipple, of Cuba, N. Y., has lately com- pleted the greatest milk record, not only to date, but that is likely to be made for some time to come; she is truly a wonderful animal, having to her credit 112 lbs. 7 oz. of milk in one day; 3289 lbs. 10 oz. in 31 consecutive days, and the enormous amount of 30,318 lbs. 8 oz. in one year of 365 days—surpassing the great yield of Clothilde by 4297 Ibs. and proving herself the largest milker in the world. She was bred by T. K. Cuperus of Boxum, Friesland, Holland; calved April 25th, 1877, and imported Nov. Ist, 1882, by Mr. A. Bradley of Lee, Mass.
Touching their beef qualities we have yet much to learn; their exponents claim for them finely marbled, rich, juicy flesh, while the opposite faction assert that they are good for nothing but milk; probably a mean between these two views will be found more nearly correct. That the grades produced by using Holstein-Friesian bulls on native stock, rank well in size and thrift with the grades of either Shorthorn, Hereford or Galloway lineage, cannot be denied; but to claim as fine beef qualities for a typical milk breed, as may be found in cattle bred especially for the butcher’s block, is too much like the theory of the individual who claims the earth. They have size and vigor, two things of prime value in grading up a herd of native stock, and
86 HOLSTEIN-FRIESIANS—JERSEYS.
are especially valuable for the great Southwest for the reasons: First, that they rap- idly improve the milking value of native stock by grading; and Second, that so far as we have been able to collect statistics, they acclimate in the fever belt with greater ease than any other known breed of improved cattle. They are ravenous eaters, bear forced feeding well, and give good return for extra care.
Our illustrations are from the famous Lakeside Herd at Syracuse, N. Y. Clo- thilde we have already mentioned; Netherland Prince has proven his great value, not only to his owners, but to the entire Holstein-Friesian fraternity. An animal of fine parts in himself, of untarnished ancestry, and showing by his superior get a wonderful power of transmission.
CHAPTER XIX.
JERSEYS.
This breed—the best known and most widely distributed of the Channel Island groups—has long held a high place in public favor. Although there is no doubt that the Jerseys were originally from Normandy in France, they were long ago trans- planted, and became the peculiar breed of the Channel Islands. There are four of these islands: Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Serk—named in order of their size— the last one, Serk, being so small as to have received scarcely any notice in the records of the Island Breeds. The people of the Islands are essentially Norman in habits, appearance and dialect; but ever since Normandy was severed from English sway, these islands have remained, as their inhabitants evidently desired, a dependency of Great Britain, subject to her rule, and, what is more to the point, her protection. The cattle of the Islands, although at first considered as one breed, have, within the last fifty years, gradually drifted apart, until now there are recognized two distinct breeds, corresponding in name respectively to each of the two largest islands. Prof. Low (1842) seems to have recognized only one breed, describing that one under the name “Alderney,” way. In America this condition of things has been continually reversed—Jerseys
and merely mentioning the Jersey and Guernsey breeds in an incidental
receiving most marked attention and entirely absorbing the Alderney name; while the Guernseys, until late years few in numbers, have been frequently compelled to struggle even for recognition as a distinct breed.
,_. Improvement of both groups was effected by the kindly care and attention lavished upon them. In no portion of the world probably is there more attention given to the comforts of the cow; she is the main-stay and source of revenue to her owner, and holds a place in his affections justified by her financial importance. Under these conditions, supplemented by judicious selection in breeding, they have risen to their present merited position. In the United States, superior inducements have caused extra effort toward improvement, and the establishing of so-called fancy strains, until it may be safely asserted that there are as good Jerseys bred in America as can be
*eoog BAON ‘Lavy ‘H ‘f 4q pag
“T1na AaSsHsar
88 JERSEYS.
found among those bred in their native Islands. Their importation to America dates from as early as 1830, and from 1850 to the present time has been rapid and sys-
tematic. DESCRIPTION OF THE MODERN JERSEY:
There are four different markings or styles of color to be found among registered Jerseys; and, as tastes differ, each style is in sufficient demand to justify the continued supply. (1) Fawn and white, evenly variegated; (2) solid fawn; (3) brown and white; and (4) solid brown. (Solid color means all one color, that is, without admix- ture of white. The solid browns, however, gradually deepen to almost pure black at the head and lower joints of the legs, forming what are termed “black points.” With the solid fawns there are also darker points, so that the term “solid color” may now be understood to include several widely different shades of the same color. )
In all of these styles of color, there is invariably a peculiar light, mealy-colored ring of hair just at the edge of, and encircling, the nostrils—generally considered the distinctive mark by which even low grade Jerseys may be recognized; this same mark, however, in slightly different shade, is frequently met with among the unimproved Texas cattle—a fzct which may serve to trace some possible relation between them, through the old Spanish cattle from which the Texas stock originally sprang.
The head is small, full fleshed, broad at the forehead and narrow between horns, with strongly dished face; large, expressive eyes, set wide apart; thin, delicate ears, and small, crumpled, amber colored horns. The neck is thin, long, fine at the head, and set into the shoulders “«ewe-necked”’; shoulders thin and light; forward ribs flat, “fish-backed,” but increasing in curvature to the loin; hips fairly wide, but rump nar- row, and buttocks lean; body deepest at the flank, presenting the V shaped outline of all milk breeds; front legs short, fine boned, straight and small—hind legs somewhat coarser, and, in the less improved animals, rather crooked. The best improved speci- mens have been bred away from the crooked hocks of their ancestors, and can present as straight and clean a pair of heels as one would wish to see. The Jersey udder as a rule is not large, but its capacity is good, and the escutcheon, in all its forms, is built upon the rich orange yellow skin, which clearly marks the dominant characteristic of the animal—butter. The general appearance of the Jersey is that of all highly sensi- tive, nervous temperaments; and, taken in connection with its peculiar color, furnishes a striking resemblance to the well-known Southern deer.
The following Scale of Points was adopted May 6th, 1885, by the American Jersey Cattle Club (F. W. Wicks of New York City, Secretary ), and is now in general use:
cows. BULLS. PD Mieeiren nat Hiner es citle laste Rene HG ot mere xe eamtorne onan S } aie IL cette Stat chow caexocor greenies IBWesecangeacooooqdocdgococdh evadod0 do i Bios sia oan: heroes ING Ghee eres Arete ares area ais nec ias aie merete npn 8 HL: £ sossa‘eifata telisve yoneectete sewers 1B Eel ceil oe Meet Unico oa Sou dD SO 1 Gitte Deseo eerenee |B cite ie ee On ool ob.ub 6 boo. 6 1K 0) RR greeter alee cc oerai a's le Linna ly See EGO pe doe nas OLd00 10 Veeco onvedasdbosass lshios ainel IND age oaseosdndon oa D000c0C 10
‘AILLVS AaSuSar
JERSEYS, 89
90 JERSEYS.
Glolow ocaadooodoO He md poo 0.0.00 AIS Tat PRO AS OOSA DOOD OO Gs 3.0 0 0 38 OPNavcaps\ ai steteleiscsuseero ine TO gsises atetsig Sstere siesta aie aici atenancss ae ePeore 2 pe oases raters ahs Sie esate Dail’ 5. tneretereyo cites rowen crest oie oe 1 Dee ccgiiccmmneec cs Siti cvskekohapetonarenenes stoke tsee sues woneR mere ere 5
ID eyeretevo eieroh steve = iererere tke Fiore: Udder Frrycnr. clontecs aires sterniicnieroees Neomuedd coCeagoou ¢ Hind; Udder. aie oe ee
WON 5 ccusi's cpa te es lsieyeaere rats Deats cr oomenctveaeocate ocr taeeete 10 Digie wsopeteer see hoerenees eaters IME Wien sie tare cetaceans Serene oe Ce Dine a/2e suoven eee sbotaue oi stele Wispositionheyerin settee hie eee eee 5
WWecoscpaacscoado0nc General Appearance and Constitution... .10
RD Cae ode Progeny (for Bulls when exhibited in a separate class with their progeny)..... 29 INU O eremcreetoter chaise otaiore Oh LES BUACHONN oo 6d 6.c:gd BOO DOD BODO 100
In judging heifers, use same scale as for cows, omitting numbers 11, 12 and 14. CHARACTERISTICS:
As indicated above, the all-absorbing trait of the Jersey cow, is the uniform rich- ness of her milk in butter content; the globules are large, causing the cream to separ- ate easily and quickly from the body of the milk; and the butter produced from it is naturally more highly colored, under the same conditions as to food and care, than that of any other breed except, perhaps, Guernseys. In size the Jersey ranks with the small breeds, mature bulls weighing from 1000 to 1300 Ibs., cows from 650 to 950 Ibs.
As a family cow to supply cream or butter, or both, for the home table, the Jersey has no superior, For the butter dairy, as a special purpose cow, she is also excellent, if not Queen. To show the capabilities of the Jersey breed for butter, we give the following records of cows under extra conditions:
Landseer’s Fancy made 936 lbs., 143/ oz. in one year; Massena made 902 lbs., 3 oz.; Matilda 4th, made 927 lbs., 814 oz. These are of course rare cases; a yield of 800 lbs. butter to the cow is more than an average.
The beef capacity of the breed is small. If sex in offspring could be controlled, it might be profitable to breed Jerseys on a large scale for their butter feature alone; but since the number of steer calves is usually equal to the number of heifers, and since there is always a greater or less number of heifers deficient in milking quality, which must be fed for the butcher, it is evident that breeding Jerseys for home use— not for sale as breeding stock—might prove a losing business.
The farmer who keeps a few cows and depends on the annual sale of a few fat steers to meet his expenses, demands a breed of larger frame and greater aptitude for beef; but in their legitimate sphere, Jerseys must always rank deservedly high.
It is very commonly stated that the bulls of this breed are vicious and ill-tem- pered. We think this opinion is based upon nothing more than the fact of their extremely nervous temperament, already referred to. They undoubtedly require skillful handling; but when so managed, are not more inclined to viciousness than the bulls of other breeds. Because there are at present so many Jerseys in the Southern States there has arisen a very popular but erroneous notion, that they acclimate with greater safety than cattle of other breeds; the real facts in the case are that at least
JERSEYS—GUERNSEYS. 9T
three of the improved breeds rank ahead of them in this respect—their greater number in the South being due to their earlier importation, and hence longer period for the breeding of acclimated stock. >
A study of the illustrations engraved after sketches from life, by well-known artists, will give a good idea of the appearance of this valuable bred.
CHAPTER XxX.
GAUFEERIN Ste Yosi
This breed, having an origin probably identical with that of the Jersey, has rapidly, but surely increased, both in popularity and inherent worth. Near the large cities of the United States, Guernseys are now found in considerable numbers, and there is a growing sentiment in their favor throughout the entire country. They were introduced into America about the time of the first Jersey importations, but have not become so widely distributed nor so generally known.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
These points may be best studied by comparing them briefly with the full des- cription of the Jersey already given. They are larger and coarser, being rather inclined to appear bony. Color varies; yellow, yellowish or reddish fawn, and brown, of solid colors, frequently with considerable spotting of white, and showing
the same mealy-colored ring about the nostrils. Bones are
although less marked
larger, head longer, and general appearance indicative more of utility than beauty.
== = = —— =
IMPORTED CUERNSEY COW, SELECT, 2205.
Property of J. W. FULLER, Catasauqua, Pa.
92 GUERNSEYS.
She is, like her Jersey sister, a milk and butter cow, and in her place ranks as good as the best. The butter made from Guernsey cows is claimed to be even more highly colored than that from the Jersey.
The following Scale of Points has been adopted by the American Guernsey Cattle Club (Edward Norton, of Farmington, Conn., Secretary ):
f Skin deep yellow, in ear, on end of bone of tail, at base of
Quality of milk, 30 ; horn, on udder, teats and body generally......... Pee a 7Al)
! Skin loose, mellow, with fine, soft hair ............. cnn
Escutcheon wide on thighs, high and broad, with thigh ovals, 8
Milk vernsilong andere mien tr tye trctet-tiekey ttle ii reraraer : 6
GuinGeyenawaeea Udder full in front...... dtbia Soy"). is. srareatetansteha a) ante epensteseerepereete 6
STi | Udder full and wellitipibehind yy 8% ssa. ee ce ee eeee 8 ation of flow, 40 | _.
Udder large but not fleshy .... : st aravar suas tavenetmelehor yt ae
) Widdenteatsisqnareliyplacedicrey-is=eicrtt-iae priori 4
\ Udder teats of good SIZ Oi, do./o)s/d a esiale a, ay.a. ah clare ettene heen 4
(“Size for the\breedy saat ce <cirs yee ohacts ieiciate Gieerener eee 5
: INO t too HSI bb Om € Pic terse cysitetes sirauchete een wi setemer erect ener onee Rene 1
Size and sub- Barrellroundandideep)at flanks mysinrreelciiiarererieter een 4
SEES 309 2 16° leliyos aravel Horns WAS saooecocoonasdooasDe ce sis sce waustnhe le : 2
Rump) lone wandabroadlreners eterelterri-relerierenr-aaiees Besa nat a 2
| Thighs and! withers thin... .)... <1" Leone ames Mee ohne Borate 2
Back level to setting on of tail...... pycilcteks fo, SaeeapeReS ADA O :
Mhroaticlean, withesmallidewlapyrcseteiciss ite ()- fetter sidtens 1
Legs not too long, with hocks well apart in walking ..... 2
Symmetry ..).. 144 Maillilono and thini.cey.cee cme cme svetaheitstetecasesoiewefaveners ecco,
| Horns curved and not coarse....... a renee venerarre ssliere fogs svanevanens 2
Head rather long and fine, with quiet and gentle expression, 3
tGeneralsappearance =. mers rior Sigou wae : Rano so
MOO ey ais Meee ls cis ieot eustensafel nels Perfection’ ....... Suits. ere chee se) LOO
== ——S
== =
IMPORTED CUERNSEY COW, JOLIE 2d, 2206. Property of J. W. FuLLEr, Catasauqua, Pa.
_
GUERNSEYS AYRSHIRES.
Property of J. W. FuLLER, Catasauqua, Pa.
Of our illustrations we may say, in brief: Imported Select brought with her from the island a record of 22 lbs. 8 oz. of well worked and salted butter in seven days, and of milk showing 18.05 per cent. total solids, of which 8.09 per cent. was fat, with a yield of about 221% quarts a day, on a ration of three quarts of crushed oats and three of wheat bran a day, and grass. Jolie 2nd is perhaps the best cow in Mr. Fuller’s herd, and gives when in full milk, 83 quarts per day; in 1884 this cow won the first Island prize over her famous half sister, Flukes. Windfall is also a wonderful milker, and, although well advanced in years, may still be ranked as one of the prime Guern-
seys in America.
CHAPTER XXI.
AD Ye Sr OIRGEY Sic
The Ayrshire breed is of comparatively recent origin: in Cully’s work on Live Stock(1790), it is not even mentioned. Aiton in 1825 mentioned it, but described an entirely different animal from the. present improved Ayrshire. Even as late as 1842 Prof. Low closes his history of their origin as follows:
““We may assume then, from all the evidence, which in the absence of authentic documents, the case admits of, that the dairy breed of Ayrshire owes the characters which distinguish it from the older race, to a mixture with the blood of races of the continent, and of the dairy breed of Alderney.”
Afterwards, in the same chapter, he gives us a pretty definite idea as to how the later improvement was effected in the statement that “some breeders in Ayrshire
94 ; AYRSHIRES.
have begun to cross the breed with the Shorthorns.” Allen (American cattle ) makes a shrewd “ guess” as to how the improvement was brought about; he says:
“Tt could be from no other than the direct cross of small compact Shorthorn bulls, descended from the best milking cows in the northeastern counties of England, on the cows descended from the Holderness bulls of Lord Marchmont, and their crosses from the ‘conjectured’ Dutch bulls, brought in by Mr. Dunlop. From no other race of cattle, either Scotch, English or Irish, could the improved Ayrshires get their shape, color and milking qualities combined.”
They are undoubtedly based on the hardy West Highland or Kyloe stock; that the Alderney or Jersey breed was used in the crosses, would appear from the early descriptions given; and that the “guess” made by Allen may at least approximate the truth, is evidenced by the present appearance of the breed and the gradual change it has made within the past 40 or 50 years.
DESCRIPTION OF MODERN AYRSHIRE:
Color varies almost as much as in Shorthorns, and is indeed very much the same —-red and white predominating; but in many individuals black hairs scattered through the red, give a blue and white color which we have never seen among pure Short- horns. Roans are quite common, and roan and white, or patched roans, were formerly very abundant. Later breeders, however, require colors of whatever shade to be distinct.
The general outline of the body is similar to that of all milk breeds—being light and narrow in front and gradually deepening toward the hind quarters. The head is narrow and close fleshed—in the bull wider but still showing the more delicate con- tour peculiar to bulls of milking strains—with bright medium sized eyes, and small
horns, showing a tendency, among cattle of our acquaintance, to assume more or less
AYRSHIRE BULL, SIR HUCH, 2582. Property of H. R. C, Watson, West Farms, N.Y.
“emoy ‘AzID VMOT ‘AAT FY NAUATIOD JO Aj19d01g
“dNOUD AYMIHSYHYAV
AYRSHIRES.
Ni
HL
DT
96 AYRSHIRES.
irregular positions; ears thin and well coated; neck fine, without dewlap—in the bull naturally arched; body deepening toward the flank; ribs, at first flat, arching toward the loin; loin, hips and rump full and even with the back; tail dropping squarely ; legs straight with rather thin twist, and brisket close and firm fleshed. The udder of the Ayrshire cow is her especial peculiarity; it is large but so broad and vertically flat- tened as to appear small; it spreads out well both in front and to rear—divisions strongly marked, with small cylindrical teats, wide apart and evenly placed. Her escutcheons are usually of a high order—especially the front ovals being well devel- oped, and the milk veins show with considerable prominence.
In general appearance, the Ayrshire of the present day has lost much of the lean, ungainly outline once supposed to be necessarily co-existent with dairy excel- lence, and assumed a neat, trim, well rounded, though not beefy, form, which cannot fail to increase its popularity.
CHARACTERISTICS:
We regard it as a waste of argument to try to conyince the public—as many have
attempted—that the Ayrshires are general purpose animals; they are, and have been, a distinctive class of milk stock, differing from all known breeds in the high per cent. of casein or cheesy matter of the milk. For butter, the Ayrshire has not been classed among the best, for the reason that the globules are not equal in size, causing the cream to rise unevenly, and injuring the grain of the butter by reason of protracted churning; the use of the centrifugal in cream separation practically does away with the first objection, but the second has yet to be overcome before they can take high rank as butter producers. In quantity of milk they excel the Jersey, but fall short of
AYRSHIRES. 97
the Holstein-Friesian: the percentage of fat in the milk is good, and, taken in connec- tion with the large amount of casein, renders the milk from an Ayrshire dairy pre- eminent for cheese.
Their beef claims must be accepted with some latitude. Unquestionably they produce excellent beef under favorable conditions, but there is too great a tendency toward milk to admit of any very marked aptitude for fattening. In size they rank with the small breeds—mature bulls weighing from 1200 to 1500 lbs., and cows from 900 to 1100 Ibs.
As showing the average yield under ordinary conditions, and with very light feed, we give the public record of the herd owned by C. M. Winslow, Brandon, Vt.:
Average of 10 cows for year 1880, each 6035 Ibs. milk.
« i « « 1881, “ 6176 « “ 9 « « 1882, « 6672 « “ 1b « «. 1883, “ 6168 « “ 16 « « 1884, « 6814 « “ 1b « « 1885, “ 7025 «
The following Scale of Points to be used in connection with description given was adopted by the Ayrshire Breeders’ Association (C. M. Winslow, Secretary), Feb. 4th, 1885:
cows. BULLS.
WO verona totcuicns dette araie sired shapers tate IRICH el oe aunnco so mcoaro DS OOaD oD 10
Bich eiaiciee sone cioa eon IN KEYS) She pees EEOERS OS IO Oe OIRO ool)
BN Sep chen ection cutee o erepels SORE EMIS soaegcapuocosceede a
NOs = Rraratsusiorora we Susiaapeaysrete SACK Urey Measieke Sith ete ley mieceueuaycueicrove 10
Sag osdsooccgusnbouEd lBINOCLG TEINS aoeoccbdoudoouoddd 10 Sy oon Bice rE ROIS Nid deteesicrsteatersiatt sce siepcrernehenaae
aaah on Tote ed ray rohel tan tebe Scrotum and Rudimentary teats. ..10
Bua ciston ete eres eee ILGESs 655 bua desacucabpoGDScOapE 5)
Ob faktae cotenchauavercfelietetcRer sei cus Skankand@hliatremcrperatastersiciercterele = 10
Sidovatehoerceebe rel oe iaieaenckghe (Cclkoix oe omuee bene Coan oaemoo anor 3
CipaROmearoued nao oadec MEI VEMVVeI ont peter steysks) v2) ehe.s «ra)= leye!a\= 10
NO bs, <wiseeretertetelon cere ae Generallappearance../)..........-- 15
MOOG. a itsreystse eeheereete Renfectionee eee one ae- cs. 100
Referring to our illustrations: Dutchess of Smithfield, 4256, has a record of 10,748 lbs. of milk in one year, and 19 lbs. 6 oz. butter in seven days; she won first prizes at Rhode Island State Fairs of 1879 to 1881; at Woonsocket, 1879; and second prize at New York State Fair in 1882. Sir Hugh, 2582, won first prize at New York State Fair in 1882, and second for bull and four of his get, at New York Dairy and Cattle Show, 1887. The large engraving—group from the herd of Coldren & Lee—shows the variety in color markings common to the breed by a predominance of white, and represents a fair sample of the excellent herd from which it is taken.
98 DUTCH-BELTED CATTLE.
CHAPTER XXII.
DUTCH BELTED CAT REE:
Natives of Holland, and of a pure black and white color, they have been fre- quently described as peculiarly marked Holstein-Friesians. It must be remembered, however, that no matter how closely these two Dutch races of cattle may have been related at first, they are now justly recognized as pure and distinct breeds.
The original name of the Dutch-Belted cattle, and the one still used in Holland is “* Lakenfield ” cattle—the name having reference to the peculiar white belt or sheet passing completely around the body. From the first volume of the Dutch-Belted Cattle Herd Book, we quote:
“ Their breeding dates back to beyend the 17th century ;”
And again:
“ These cattle were solely controlled by the nobility of Holland, and they are to the present time keeping them pure, but are not inclined to part with them.”
A fact which may account for the comparatively small number found at present in America.
The peculiar color markings of these cattle show an attainment in the science of breeding, really wonderful. Prof. Low attributes the first appearance of the belted marking to a cross between two fixed original breeds of opposite color, and this theory is doubtless correct; but to found a breed which will transmit such peculiar points with as do the Dutch-Belted cattle—was a task, the magnitude of which is only excelled by the results attained.
Among the first importers to America were D. H. Haight, of Goshen, N. Y.— who made the first importation to the United States in 18388; W. R. Coleman, and P. T. Barnum—the Nation’s Showman. Mr. Barnum says:
certainty
“They struck my fancy in Holland. I imported them and found their unique and singular appearance not their best recommendation, for they are excellent milkers.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, as already mentioned, jet black with a broad band or “belt” of purest white passing completely around the body. The milk outline is beautifully shown in long head; fine, rather thin neck—well arched in the bull, but still fine at head; small horns; wide chest; straight back; broad, level hips; deep quarters, and square well-placed udder. In size they are somewhat above medium—mature cows weighing from 900 to 1200 Ibs.; and bulls from 1600 to 2000 Ibs. They are strong and vigorous, usually kind and docile in disposition; and transmit, with great certain- ty, all their original qualities.
In addition to the above we give the following standard description, combined with Scale of Points, which has been formally adopted by the Dutch-Belted Cattle Association of America:
"| ‘4wa4d 3HL auvmaa ‘11Nd G31139s-HOLNa
DUTCH-BELTED CATTLE, 99
100 DUTCH-BELTED CATTLE.
COWS. BULLS. Bieteroieicste sues) a-eysrchers: aes eke (CONN cacasbannionodoondioscoo0K 8 (Body color black, with a clearly defined continuous white belt. The belt to be of medium width, beginning behind the shoulder and ex- tending nearly to the hips.) ee aeebuo rte oHonocadn IBIBO Doo cipoo cdo oo dao odeC DONS 6 (Comparatively long and somewhat dishing—broad between the eyes; poll prominent; muzzle fine; dark tongue.)
Ws iy si rata lupe Soest eeneeaceeens Ides eho IelOydnacaacsoooagoudsa0 4 (Eyes black, full and mild; horns, long compared with their diameter.) OPERA OO co ound ee INGelet vaoduranoced omed cold po.deD oO 6
(Fine and moderately thin, and should harmonize in symmetry with the neck and shoulders.) eS OO acs OS Oo SMnoulllSis oo cghcsogo008 s0u6 c0cK0e 9 (Fine at the top, becoming deep and broad as they extend backward and downward, with a low chest.) UR omaopadcsoneeodfon Beit posnapeoceoooudadoIWOaDOSS 10 (Large and deep, with well developed abdomen; ribs well rounded and free from fat.)
UO 2-5 sekardysreverereisee eyes eases ISTH coddaodsguvodocsbbag boob GOD 10 (Broad, with level chine and full loin.) Oiaieave ckensusboratepelevstoxsisterors IRGNAND oo docanasa0dvoDooDgOOoDOE 6 (High, long and broad.)
Bye redstaheye fore eyaes tekereekereheyer IR Geacko MESH cooooccOpaaH DOO OND 8
(Long and deep, rear line incurving; tail long, thin, tapering to a full switch.) SUD Oe noU ace 5 cade GE Ost teteynet tienes sxencuereueversierstons adds 3 (Short, clean, standing well apart.)
20) D.reenterpebaneners ta tartneines Wines seagaseucancoonco0aTodogs
(Large, well developed front and rear; teats of convenient size and wide apart; mammary veins large, long and crooked, entering large orifices.)
achive ed chide apa vette apeimeeiees Rudimentary, teats y-p-\epastrioreserr ier LO) (Size and wide-spread placing.)
Die rsaate 2 vans Pap eras eaaeaneperscors SSCULCHE ON) amrchersereincieiersitorere ier 2
BEe oo Maou en son teasbe BEM Ehavel Seta, soog0cudceacco Ue Bits} (Fine and soft; skin of moderate thickness, of a rich dark or yellow
color.) oop Oooo HoaeduaboN IDIRVSOSUHON. co occaddaekosodoo Ko KEE 4 (Quiet; animal free from excessive fat.) OAR Ra Reese onan er General condition and constitution.. 6 LOO so. bs Reet oret ketone Rerkectiona.accecbeve ackercucreneceteneler 100
They are a dairy breed, the cows producing a large quantity of milk, which is above the average in butter content. For beef they are fair, standing fully equal to other dairy breeds in this respect. Our illustrations are from the herd of-Mr. H. B. Richards—the genial secretary of the society and editor of the “ Dutch-Belted Cattle Herd Book” the bull, Edward the Great, now owned, we believe, in Illinois.
and are excellent portraits of his celebrated cow, Lady Aldine, and
101
DUTCH-BELTED CATTLE.
102 AMERICAN HOLDERNESS.
CHAPTER XXIII.
AMERICAN HOLDERNESS.
The origin and history of this breed are fraught with singular interest as illus- trating the peculiar methods used by breeders in fixing type.
Some fifty or sixty years ago, Mr. Truman A. Cole, of Solsville, N. Y., pur- chased a cow of imported stock called “Holderness”—originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire, England; she was red and white in color, of large size, an ex- cellent milker, and was at the time in calf by a bull of the same breed. Her offspring proved to be a male; when this calf was a yearling, he was bred to his own mother, the result being a heifer calf, which was afterwards bred to the same bull. To put the history of their improvement in a nutshell: Mr. Cole has continually and closely in-bred, never admitting a single drop of outside blood until he has produced a breed thoroughly fixed in type, and accurately transmitting even the least of its distinguish- ing qualities. A remarkable change has taken place in their color markings as seen from the following
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN HOLDERNESS:
When first dropped, the sides, neck and head are reddish brown; as they increase in age this color changes to a dark brown or jet black, while the white lines on back and belly remain unchanged from birth. The legs correspond in color with the sides, except at the belly line, where a white band is thrown across, presenting a novel and attractive design. (This change from the former Shorthorn colors of the Yorkshire cattle, can only be accounted for by assuming that the close incestuous breeding prac- ticed by Mr. Cole, has caused them to revert to the colors of their original Dutch ancestry. )
In size they are nearly equal to the Holstein-Friesians; and in outline also very similar. The head is neat, close-fleshed, long in the cow and shorter in the bull;
horns short and curving forward; neck fine at head—in the bull arching—and well
set on at shoulders; back keeping up an even, straight line from the shoulders to the drop of the tail; flanks deep, udder large, broad, well forward, with good-sized teats, placed evenly and wide apart.
They are emphatically a dairy breed, as illustrated by the fact that nineteen cows of Mr. Cole’s herd—two years old and upwards—actually made 5,860 Ibs. of butter during the season of 1879—an average of a little over 308 pounds of butter to each
cow. Mr. Cole states that he could easily have brought up the average to 350 pounds, if he had not raised the calves. While not equaling the Holstein-Friesians in quantity of milk, they are said to excel them in richness of product for butter. Their beef
AMERICAN HOLDERNESS. 103
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"AN ATUAS TOS "3105 "Wl AW GANMO ONY asHa
AMERICAN HOLDERNESS.
104
_A'N‘ST1IAS10S “3100'V'L 44 GSNMO anv aauad
AMERICAN HOLDERNESS BROWN SWISS. 105
qualities are also good, and taken all in all, we predict for them a popular reception in strict keeping with their merits. They are by no means generally known; yet they have found a foothold in nearly all of the Northern States, and wherever found are rapidly growing in favor.
Our illustrations, better than any description, will give an excellent idea of their appearance. Mr. Cole’s herd has become justly celebrated; and by his skill and care- fulness, he has won for himself a most enviable reputation as a patient and painstaking breeder, and as the originator of the American Holderness Breed.
CHAPTER XXIV.
BROWN SWISS.
The history of this breed may be given briefly by stating that it has been built up step by step from the common bovine ancestry of Switzerland and neighboring countries. Improvement has been effected almost solely by selection and light in-breeding, and is most noticeable in those districts or “ Cantons” of Switzerland, like Schwytz, which are peopled by progressive, well-to-do farmers—men who have always taken a great pride in their cattle, and, prompted no doubt by local jealousies, have striven, each, to make his herd the best and purest of the race.
IMPORTATION TO AMERICA:
In the United States the Brown Swiss have been slow to find purchasers until within the last few years. The first importation was made by H. M. Clarke, of Bel- mont, Mass., about 1870, since which time several importations have been made, and the demand in the United States is now quite active. The Brown-Swiss Breeders’ Association has been organized, and Volume I. of their record appeared in 1881. In the Eastern States this breed has already attained considerable prominence; while in the West and South it is little known.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, solid chestnut bronze, somewhat lighter at the back and belly line, and showing the same mealy ring at the muzzle, so well known as characteristic of the Jerseys. The hoofs, tongue, nose and switch of the tail are always black: while the light belly line extends more or less over the escutcheon and inner surface of the legs. In size they are above medium, mature bulls weighing from 1700 to 2100 lbs., and cows from 1100 to 1300 lbs. The head is large; horns short and waxy, with black tips; ears well covered inside with long, light-colored hair; neck short, with rather heavy dewlap; legs short and straight, with wide thighs and deep quarters and; gen- eral outline showing the milk breed. The cows have excellent escutcheons, well formed udders, and give a good quantity of rich milk. Mr. N.S. Fish of Groton,
106
BROWN SWISS BULL, SOL TEL, 20. Weight at 3 years, 1630 lbs.; property of Gro. W. Harris, Wethersfield, Conn.
Vi ‘i | a i i Me tay AM A my \ } i i
‘
107
BROWN SWISS.
gertadrer
BROWN SWISS COW.
(Reengraved, by permission, from lithograph made for the Department of State.)
108 BROWN SWISS—BRITTANY CATTLE.
Ct., Secretary of the Association, writing under date of July 10th, 1888, says of this breed:
cae * * * While they will not give as rich milk for butter as the Jerseys, they will give a much larger quantity of fine-flavored, rich milk; and on same feed give as much as the celebrated Holsteins; at least, such has been the experience of some who have had them under like circumstances.”
As to the ease with which they acclimate in the fever belt, we have as yet no information. The cattle are thrifty, mature early and promise to find abundant favor in the Western States for the dairy.
~ The following Scale of Points has been adopted by the Brown Swiss Breeders Association:
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Horwandin. <2) tees nto Perfection... serene - 100
In judging bulls and heifers, omit the points for Fore-udder, Hind-udder, and Teats, as given above; and in color they should be dark brown. Our illustrations
all originally from photo’s—may be accepted as accurate repre- sentations of the breed.
CHAPTER XXV.
BUR AUN Ve ACs si,
From best authority obtainable, this breed of cattle has an origin much in com- mon with that of the Holstein-Friesian; difference in climate, soil and vegetation, having, through years of time, made the difference in size and in other respects as now observed. The breed is now said to be “native” to the five departments of France, which formerly made up the Province of Bretagne, and in support of the statement as to origin, it may be noted, that a considerable variation among the cattle, as to size and milking capacity, is found in the various localities of their native province.
BRITTANY CATTLE. L109
BRITTANY BULL.
110 BRITTANY CATTLE—KERRY CATTLE.
A few have been imported to the United States at various times within the last decade, but they are by no means generally known. Mr. W. B. Montgomery, of Starkville, Miss. (better known as a breeder of Jerseys) has a herd of 12 or 15 cows and two bulls. Writing to the author under date August 6th, 1888, this gentleman Says:
“They are the hardiest of all the breeds of which I have any knowledge, and on scant pastur- age, and poor soil, will give better results in the butter dairy than any breed with which I am acquainted. On moderately fertile land, and with proper care and attention, Jersey cattle are greatly to be preferred; but the Brittanies, on scant feed and on rough mountain lands, will prove superior to the Jersey.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, clear black and white—almost exactly similar to that of the Holstein- Friesian_——the white showing a tendency to appear over shoulders and hips, and along D> ~ b) >
a mark which
the belly line; the membrane surrounding the tongue is always white may be called a distinguishing characteristic of the breed.
In size they are classed as small—about equal to the Jersey—mature bulls weigh- ing from 1000 to 1300 Ibs.; cows from 650 to 950 Ibs. The head and neck are fine, even delicate, with little or no dewlap. The horns small, always black at the tips, and sometimes black throughout, rather longer than Jersey horns, and approaching more nearly those of the Devon in curvature; the back is even, chest large, and haunch and buttock bones wide apart. The legs are well proportioned to size of body, hair fine and short, and skin mellow and of medium thickness.
The Brittany cows are strictly dairy animals, giving a good quantity of rich milk, and are claimed to give a greater yield on scant grazing than cows of any other breed. Much allowance must be made for extravagant claims of partisan breeders, yet we believe the Brittany breed will find, in our districts of less fertility, ample favor with those best qualified to judge.
Our illustrations were reengraved by permission, from lithographs used by the Department of State in the recently issued Volume of Consular Reports on Cattle and Dairy Farming
and were originally from photographs taken in France.
CHAPTER XXVI.
Ve 1B, IRL TRE YE (hay APA 1G dic
This breed—the only one of any prominence native to Ireland—has of late years found its way to America, and is attracting considerable attention. In the volume of Consular Reports on Cattle and Dairy Farming, previously mentioned, Mr. Gumble- ton refers to the “ Kerry Cattle, which are very pretty (small in size and black) and ”
very good milkers.” Mr, Richard Good says the Kerrys “are attracting more atten-
tion than they did formerly, owing to the ease with which they are managed ;” and
(-3uravisuq ysipsuq)
“SMOSO AUYAYW
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112 KERRY CATTLE.
that “they are particularly suited to mountainous districts, which would not properly feed Shorthorns.” It may be here stated that the County of Kerry, whence they derive the name, is the most mountainous, as it is the most western, portion of the island. The Kerries form as nearly an aboriginal breed as possible, tracing back to the wild “Forest” stock, and showing the stages of improvement all through their history.
Within the last three years, several small importations have been made to the United States: the largest of which we have any knowledge numbering 11 head, was made by Mr. Edward Kemp, of the well-known firm of Lanham & Kemp, New York City, in 1886.
Mr. Kemp is proprietor of the “Locust Farm,” Rumsen Neck, New Jersey, where his Kerries, Holstein-Friesians, and Hambletonians are now kept.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, black, but this is only a fashionable point of the last 10 or 15 years, so
that black and white—* line backs ”—and even reds are still found. Low, in 1842, described them as “generally black, with a white ridge along the spine;” he further says that a white streak along the belly was common, and other colors, such as brown, red and spotted, were met with. Breeders are now strictly adhering to the black coats, and will in time eliminate all other colors.
In size, the Kerry cattle are small—mature bulls weighing 800 to 1100 Ibs., and cows from 600 to 800 Ibs. | The head is small, with long clean muzzle and thin lips; eyes expressive; horns fine, short and white— middle horns”—usually turning upward; neck, fine at head and wellset on to deep but narrow shoulders; body gradu- ally deepens to the flank, but the rump is narrow and the thighs light. The dewlap ° is rather scant, and the brisket small and close fleshed; legs are neat and fine, but rather long, and the tail slender and dropping squarely. The hair is rather long and thick, but the skin is mellow with good handling properties. In general appearance, the Kerries are neat, small sized dairy animals, showing the typical milk wedge, and quiet disposition so essential to dairy excellence.
They are bred exclusively for milk and their partisans claim for them an unriv- alled production on scanty hill or mountain ranges. To explain their dairy worth in more definite manner, we appropriate from the weekly edition of the (ational Live Stock Fournal of Chicago—issue of July 24th, 1888—the following clipping, refer- ring to four Kerry cows, which were recently entered at The Royal Counties Show:
“ One of the four was reserve number and very highly commended, and another commended; moreover, it will be seen by the following figures that the ‘reserve’ Kerry gave more butter in pro- portion to quantity of milk than even the first or second prize cows, though one of them was a Jersey. The first prize cow, a Shorthorn, gave 2 galls. 2 pints of milk, yielding 1 Ib. 3% oz. butter; the second prize, a Jersey, gave 3 galls. 3% pints of milk, yielding 1 lb. 4 oz. butter; the Kerry very highly commended and reserve, gave 2 gallons of milk, yielding 1 lb. 114 oz. butter.”
Nothing is said as to conditions or food for the three cows mentioned, but we may reasonably infer that these points were made as nearly equal as possible.
The Kerries are certainly hardy for more northern latitudes, but we can say nothing as to their acclimation in the South. The “Dexter” strain of Kerry cattle has been quite extensively fostered, and we mention briefly the points of difference;
€
KERRY CATTLE—SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS. 113
it gets the name from that of its founder, who is supposed to have changed the type by selection. The head is coarser; horns thicker and more nearly straight; the body round and blocky and the legs short and thick.
CHAPTER XXVII.
SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS.
The origin of this valuable breed has always been a subject of more or less dis- pute—ardent admirers of the Shorthorn claiming an almost unbroken line of pure descent, and improvement solely by careful selection, feeding and management; others, perhaps partisans of other breeds, claiming that whatever improvement has been made, and in fact, whatever excellence the breed might possess, has been brought about by judicious but stealthy crosses with superior individuals of other breeds. That there was a time when the Shorthorn ancestry were only native cattle, even the most earnest advocates of their purity must admit; but it is also true, that, if there have been any radical out-crosses since the breed became definitely known as such, they have been exceedingly stealthy ones.
EARLY HISTORY.
Their probable history begins with the cattle of the mainland of Europe, in the provinces bordering on the Baltic and North Seas. These cattle possessed many of the qualities now claimed by Shorthorns—including color and size; but there was a general disposition toward excellence in milking qualities rather than the full, rounded, symmetrical, beef outline of a majority of modern Shorthorns as bred for range im- provement in the Western States.
Prior to the Conquest of England by William of Normandy, the northern and eastern portion was occupied by Danes and other warlike races from the mainland: these people did not confine their operations to war and pillage alone; but, while holding the eastern coastline of the island, established a considerable trade in mer- chandise and agricultural products to and from the mainland. In this way, it is claimed, were the Shorthorn progenitors introduced into England; and what renders the claim more probable, is the fact, that the first Shorthorns were found in, and con- fined to, those counties or shires lying along the northern and eastern boundaries.
IMPROVEMENT:
As early as 1740, permanent records were kept by the more careful breeders; and, according to Mr. Bates, there were fine Shorthorns upon the estate of the Earl of Northumberland as early as the year 1600. Mr. Millbank of Barningham, and Sir William St. Quintin of Scampston, were among the early noted breeders previous to 1750; but it was not until the Colling Bros. began raising them for profit, that the
114
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SHORTHORNS
OR DURHAMS.
SSS
SHORTHORN BULL, PRINCE WILLIAM, 71316.
Property of H. B. Scort, Sedalia, Mo.
(Sanspareil family.)
SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS. 115
Shorthorns obtained anything like general notice or favor. They established them- selves about 1780—Chas. Colling at Ketton and his brother Robert at Barmpton— both places near Darlington on the river Tees. While keeping their herds distinct, they worked more or less together, freely interchanging the use of their bulls. The method pursued by them was to select the best animals, male and female, that could be found among neighboring and even quite distant breeders, breed them together, Keeping up best conditions as to food and management, and carefully in-breed to fix the type. (By the term in-breeding, which we have frequently used, is meant the breeding together of animals more or less closely related; the object being to perpet- uate certain characteristics, common to both parents in the offspring. While very valuable if carefully used, the principle of in-breeding is dangerous if carried to extremes, and should be used lightly unless by the most skillful breeders.) Early in their history (1786) Chas. Colling purchased, for $42.00, the bull Hubback; he proved a most excellent stock-getter, and now ranks as one of the most celebrated bulls in Shorthorn history. In 1810, Comet—the direct offspring of Bolinbroke and Phoenix, and a lineal descendant of Hubback—was sold for $5,000.00, showing to what extent these cattle had advanced both in merit and popular favor. After Colling Bros., in point of time, came Thos. and Richard Booth and Thomas Bates. These men secured their stock from Colling, but while Booth Bros. persisted in breeding for beef, and the full, rounded points so much admired for the butcher’s block, Bates was carefully selecting and breeding with main reference to milking qualities: thus it happened that Shorthorn improvement was started in two parallel, but distinctly dif- ferent lines. From these two main lines of improvement, the tastes of different indi- viduals have given rise to numberless “strains” or “families” all having the same general characteristics, but differing in color, beef and milk qualities, or other par- ticulars.
EARLY IMPORTATION INTO THE UNITED STATES:
It is probable that importations were made very soon after the close of the Revol- utionary War with England, as cattle answering the description of Shorthorns were found in Virginia as early as 1790, and in 1797 some of these cattle were taken across the line to Kentucky by a Mr. Patton, soon becoming quite well-known as the “Patton Stock.” Authentic importations were made direct from England by Mr. Cox in 1816; by Col. Lewis Sanders and Brutus J. Clay, both of Kentucky, in 1817; and from this time on importations on a small scale were quite frequent. In 1834-5-6, Shorthorns were brought over in considerable numbers by a company made up for this purpose among breeders in the Scioto Valley in Ohio, and acting through an agent who was supplied with almost unlimited funds. The first introduction of the celebrated Duchess strain was made about 1840, by a Mr. Vail of Troy, N. Y., who secured a bull and a heifer direct from the herd of Thos. Bates. Among the earlier noted breeders in America, we may mention Samuel Thorne of Thornedale, N. Y., and R. J. Alexander of Kentucky—the latter a Scotch nobleman, who purchased the ‘Voodburn estate of 3,000 acres, and used his annual income of $80,000.00 to establish and maintain a model American herd of Shorthorns.
116
S—=— = == = ——# SSS = =
SHORTHORN BULL, MARIUS, 70744.
(Young Mary family.) Property of Wircox & Lxccirr, Benson, Minn.
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118 SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS ¢
Widely varying in color, we find almost all markings except black, brown and brindled; in some families pure, deep, cherry red, in others snowy white, and between these two extremes are red and white in all grades as to size and arrangement of spots > roan. In size the Shorthorn ranks among the largest of known breeds, bulls of mature age ranging from 1900 to 2300 lbs.; and cows from 1200 to 1600 lbs., with occasional individuals con-
siderably exceeding these figures. The general form is square, with well filled points,
—red-roan, white-roan, roan and white, and speckled or “turkey’
straight back, keeping the line even and well up at the rump; quarters deep and full, but not bulging; ribs well sprung, giving a wide back and rounded barrel; muzzle clear orange yellow (in some families, light drab); wide, open nostrils, and rather thin fleshed lips; eyes clear, bright, and surrounded by rings of orange colored flesh; horns clear or cream-flecked, short, and usually curving inward; ears thin and delicate, showing clear orange wax; neck short and fine in the cow—in the bull heavy and rising with age; back, level; loin, full; buttocks, wide apart; tail, small just above the brush; brisket, wide and full; and legs close, fine boned, and well proportioned to size of body.
The Shorthorns are, emphatically, general purpose animals; although, perhaps, the majority of breeders persist in classing them with the purely beef breeds. When selected and bred for milk, they are exceedingly valuable as dairy stock, but it must be admitted that the general tendency to breed and feed for show has greatly increased their beef capacity at the expense of milking qualities. In some of the strains or fam- ilies—as notably the Princess or Duchess strains—the dairy features have been care- fully preserved, and even among the most pronounced beef families, an occasional excellent dairy cow will be found.
The American Shorthorn Breeders’ Association (J. H. Pickrell of Chicago, Secretary,) has never adopted any standard Scale of Points for the animal. Their adaptability seems not so great as that of some other breeds; they ‘find their most con- genial home, and give best returns for investment, in latitudes of the more central and Northern United States. In the Southern States—comprising what is known as the “fever belt”—they have not proven easy to acclimate, averaging a high per- centage of mortality when brought into this region. Good animals, old enough for service, and recorded in the American Herd Book, can be obtained at from $100.00 to $200.00 of any responsible breeder.
The individuals so well represented by our illustrations, need no introduction to any one familiar with Shorthorns. They are representative animals of the strains to which they belong, and their breeders are men of unquestioned integrity. Mr. Scott —the owner of Prince William— in a recent letter to the author, gives a good natured thrust at those southern cattlemen who have persistently bred inferior cattle. He says (referring to the engraving of Prince William):
“ Hope it will fill the expectations of your readers, and teach the people of the Southern States what cattle ought to look like, and stimulate them to a better effort.”
We should be pleased to have Mr. Scott visit the Texas State Fair and inspect the large exhibit of Texas-bred stock of Shorthorn and other breeds. He will find
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120 SHORTHORNS OR DURHAMS—RED-POLLED CATTLE.
that Western breeders no longer have a monopoly in the fine stock business, and that many herds in the South compare very favorably with the best to which he is accus- tomed—not even excepting his own magnificent bull, Prince William.
(We should, perhaps, chronicle the fact that there is also a polled variety of Durham, which the dehorning mania is strongly stimulating—the two varieties seem to be the same in all respects save horns.)
CHAPTER XXVIII.
RED-POLLED CATTLE.
The Red-Polls, while tracing their history well back into the last century, have only recently attracted any considerable attention, Their origin is somewhat clouded in obscurity. Suffolk County, England, had from very early times a breed of polled cattle, and it is more than probable that this Suffolk breed had much to do with moulding the type of, and dehorning, the Norfolk breed, which was tke first to attract attention from outside parties. From their general resemblance to the Devons (ex- cepting horns) we would look for a common ancestry somewhere in the early history of the breeds. Marshall, in his Rural Economy of Norfolk, states that the breed of Norfolk, about 1780, was a “ Herefordshire breed in miniature,” and that the color was “ blood-red, with a white or mottled face.” He further traces the changes of the breed, by crosses with Suffolk bulls, stating in substance, that size was increased and form improved. To trace the origin further, it would be necessary to go back of the old polled Suffolk breed, and bring up the question as to how the various breeds of hornless cattle were established in their peculiar feature. We need only say in this connection that polled animals were found in most portions of the British Island from time immemorial. According to Youatt, there seem to have been two distinct breeds of aboriginal cattle, occupying the central and northern portions of the British Island; one of these had medium horns, while the other had none; from the first were prob- ably produced the Devons, Herefords, Sussex and West Highland cattle; while as a continuation of the second, we have now the Galloways, Angus and Suffolk and Norfolk Reds—the latter now collectively called Red-Polls.
Improvement of the breed has been steadily carried forward—the Suffolks dehorn- ing, while the Norfolks were firmly fixing the blood red color mentioned by Marshall and both breeds coming gradually nearer a common standard, until about the middle of the present century, breeders from both counties began to meet in honest compe- tition, and select their breeding animals with reference to perpetuating the red color and the hornless trait. In 1874, Mr. H. F. Euren, of Norwich, succeeded in establishing the English Red-Polled Herd Book, and through the stimulus thus applied, these cattle have since been making rapid strides toward perfection. In 1883, the American Red-Polled Cattle Society (J. C. Murray, of Maquoketa, Iowa, Sec-
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RED-POLLED CATTLE. 121
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122 RED-POLLED CATTLE,
retary,) was organized, and two volumes of the Herd Book have already appeared. ‘The first importation was made in 1873 by G. F. Taber, Patterson, N. Y., since which time many have been brought in, and more bred, until we have in the United States at present writing some 800 or 900 head.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, a deep rich red, with only the brush of the tail white, occasionally white on the udder in cows, but this, while not regarded as an absolute disqualification, is not favored. Size, above medium, mature bulls weighing from 1700 to 2100 Ibs., and cows from 1100 to 1400 lbs. The head is neat, with a tuft of hair curling over the narrow frontal points, and a light colored, clear cut muzzle. The neck is clean and fine, with little dewlap; ribs springing—not broadly arched—but filling the demand for rounded outline of barrel; legs clean, fine and short. In the cow the udder should be large, but not meaty—when empty it should hang in creases or folds; milk veins should be prominent and knotted or puffed.
It must be confessed, that most of the modern breeders of Red-Polls have been too intent on securing size and beauty of contour to preserve, as carefully as they should, the really valuable dairy qualities of the breed. If a change be not made in this direction, we shall soon be compelled to say of them, as we might now say of the Shorthorns—originally excellent dairy stock, but greatly injured by the pernicious custom of feeding highly for the show ring.
Red-Polls are, in general appearance, hornless Devons (see also illustrations) and they are bred and advertised as general purpose cattle. They are claimed, and we think fairly, to be the rivals of the Shorthorns for general use in the western United States. As to their adaptability in the fever belt of the South, we cannot speak to a certainty, from the fact of there having been so few importations to this region, They are quiet, good feeders, easy to handle and ship, and—as all must admit—attractive in color and form. If the Red-Polls are carefully bred, we may expect to see them grow rapidly in public favor, and secure on their merits high rank as a combined milk and beef breed.
In view of the present dehorning craze—and believing it too early to express a settled opinion as to the utility of the practice—we may be pardoned for saying, that among the bulls of the established polled breeds now in America, the advocates of dehorning will certainly find more formidable rivals than have hitherto appeared in print.
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124 DEVONS.
CHAPTER XXIXxX.
DEVONS.
Lying south of the Bristol Channel, on the Map of England, may be found the county or shire of Devon; much of its physical geography, as also that of the county adjoining it on the west, Cornwall, presents characteristics strikingly similar to that of Wales—indeed the people of these lower western counties were as safe from Roman incursions behind the vast forests which covered the alluvial deposits of lower England as were the people of Wales in their rugged mountain fastnesses. As a result of this immunity from invasion, the wild or “White Forest” breed of cattle described by Low increased greatly in numbers, and, in the counties named, became more or less subject to partial domestication.
In Wales, we have at present, the North Wales and Pembroke breeds as undoubted descendants of these wild cattle; and in the shire of Devon, occupying more especially its northern slope, has existed for generations the ancestry of the Devon breed—familiarly known in England as the “ North Devons” to distinguish them from the cattle occupying the low lands of Devon and the counties to the east. That the breed is of remarkably pure descent is attested by the wonderful impressive- ness in marking offspring. Surely no breed of modern improved cattle has a better claim to be called aboriginal than this. As their merits became known, they were gradually distributed to other and more northern counties, and the demand thus found to exist induced a more systematic effort toward improvement. Within the present century their size has been increased, beef capacity improved, and milking qualities especially advanced. The Earl of Leicester was among the most noted of early English breeders, followed by Lord Somerville and Lord Western, who were not only breeders but did much, also, to improve the quality of the animals bred.
Their introduction to America dates from a very early period—a few head of what were undoubtedly Devons being brought over in the ship Charity (1628) for a Mr. Winslow of Massachusetts; in 1817, however, probably the first authentic impor- tation of pure bred improved Devons was made by a Mr. Patterson of Baltimore, direct from the herd of the Earl of Leicester (at that time Mr. Coke of Holkham). The next year (1818) a few were imported to Long Island from Mr. Coke’s herd. Other importations were made from time to time, notably in 1836, by Mr. Vernon of New York State, and in 1853 by L. G. Morris also of New York. Since that time, the Devons have been widely distributed throughout the United States, and have taken a settled place among the popular breeds of the country.
DESCRIPTION OF MODERN IMPROVED DEVON:
Color, a rich, deep red throughout, except a central tuft of long white hair in the
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DEVONS.
126 DEVONS.
brush of the tail, and a white spot on the udder in cows, and about the purse in bulls. Upper line almost perfectly straight from the head to the tail; in the bull, the neck is of course somewhat arched above this level. The head is neat and trim, rather long in the cow but short and masculine in the bull, and well pointed to a bright flesh colored muzzle; eyes prominent, bright, wide apart, and encircled by ring of flesh-colored skin; horns rather long, slender, curving outward, forward and upward, waxy clear at base, and tapering to almost needle-like points of darker shade. The ear is sprightly; neck small at head, without dewlap, and full and broad at the should- ers; forequarters wide apart, showing good lung power, and slanting well back, a feature in strict keeping with their well-known activity. The barrel is round and close-muscled; loins even; hips square; rump smooth; tai) long, slender, and invariably tipped with white; flank, low cut; brisket deep, and legs short, straight and clean fleshed. We believe the above to be a just and fair description of the breed as now known in the United States, and to show the improvement which has taken place, we quote the following from Low’s Domestic Animals of Great Britain (previously quoted ), published 1842: ; “Although the Devon ox presents a symmetry of parts which pleases the eye, yet his form is not precisely what the breeder seeks for in an animal destined to fatten quickly and arrive at great weight. His neck is too long, his chest too narrow, his sides are too flat, his limbs are too long in roportion to his body; or, in other words, his body is too small in proportion to his height. The Devon ox is a kindly enough feeder, but he requires good pasture, and a somewhat favorable climate, and could barely subsist on food which would suffice to fatten some of the hardier mountain breeds of nearly his own size.”
The following scale of points adopted by the American Devon Cattle Club (ES W. Reed of Zanesville, Ohio, Secretary ), is now in general use:
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Qs skys laisse @ ees See rene eiaeee LO ketch oar sone as cinch eRe eee 2 isha See eee ee ene eT LS a ares Hig atu sesiinaream crema orranors 2 Ws ialarallet ale teeeneter a crea nees IBC si iOen & CORIO mmOMOene a draol tin oO 4 Bis fe sigan costes a) amie ape aT Scimt sissies conuciasta eee ce en ee Ios 8 Qe ene ee Se oe SSICAS Gar cat hie increta co Aue. 4 Seas sebaaters tue ova seeder aes Generalfappearance pee eet 8 aC Oana erinmiotes cro vido. JPerfection! oi)... o.cne vaio . 100 CHARACTERISTICS:
Probably the most prominent trait of the Devon is his sprightly energy. In the early days of the present century, when the fertile prairies of the Great West held
DEVONS. 12%
their virgin soil unbroken, the farmers of New England found abundant exercise in removing the stones, stumps and saw logs with which their land was covered. For this purpose oxen were employed almost exclusively, and the grades from those early imported Devons were eagerly sought. The writer has in mind an amusing incident related by his father concerning a yoke of grade Devon steers, which, for two good miles, in response to the fun-loving spirit of their youthful driver, succeeded in keep- ing behind them a span of fine carriage horses belonging to a neighbor, and driven by the neighbor’s son.
As work oxen, the Devons have no superior in the world; they lack, perhaps, the weight necessary to move enormous loads, but their remarkable quickness, combined with an intelligent observance of the driver’s will, make them invaluable for work of certain kinds. For beef, little recommendation is needed; the improvement of the breed has, with many breeders, been almost entirely in this direction. Allen, in his valuable treatise on American Cattle (previously quoted), after speaking of the excel- lent milk qualities of the cows in a herd of Devons owned by him, says:
“Tt is but fair to say, however, that after we commenced crossing our cows with bulls of later importation, some 15 years after the commencement of the herd, the large milkers were not so numerous, although the cattle from these crosses were somewhat finer. The bulls we used were apparently bred from stocks highly improved with an effort more to develop their feeding properties than for the dairy.”
We are glad to note that not all of our Devon breeders have followed these points so closely as to lose sight of the capabilities of the breed for dairy purposes; and, in this connection, quote the following from the report of Wm. Brown, Professor of Agriculture in the Ontario (Canada) Agricultural College, for 1886:
“Of this distinctly intermediate class of cattle (Devons), milk and beef combination, we have
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128 DEVONS—LONGHORNS.
to repeat the observation that none can make better calves, few so content and hardy, and but one richer in dairy product. The Devon has not held the world’s patronage because of undersize, and possibly also, of moderation in maturing and milk quantity, but it is difficult to conceive of a more desirable cow on upland rangy pastures for the butter factory.”
The Devons are probably as nearly general purpose animals as may be found among the present known breeds: in size they are medium—bulls when matured weighing from 1200 to 1600 Ibs., and cows from 900 to 1100 lbs. One thing more we must notice—-their introduction into the Southern States. In Mr. Allen’s work, the author intimates that the Devon acclimates unusually well in the South. We cannot agree with him; information from various portions of the South, has shown a high proportion of mortality among Devons brought from the North, only one breed— Shorthorns—showing a greater average percent. of loss. To counterbalance this, however, it is a well-known fact that the Devons when acclimated will thrive and keep in good condition on scant pasture where many other improved breeds would starve to death. This high percent. of mortality in acclimating Devons, may be due to the unnatural forcing which the breed has undergone of late vears in the hands of unskillful breeders, as it is well-known among successful importers of northern cattle, that the introduction of overfed or pampered stock from the North is apt to result fatally to both profits and cattle.
There are now a goodly number of fine herds of Devons in the South, and their certain increase, both in numbers and favor, is fast becoming an accomplished fact.
CHAPTER XXX.
LONGHORN S:.
These cattle, so little known at present in the United States, have their origin in the district of Craven, England; probably the Irish Longhorns, mentioned by Youatt, were identical with the English breed, and for many years were bred in parallel lines.
When Bakewell (see also Leicester sheep) took hold of the breed, he found it already somewhat improved, but there can be no doubt that a large proportion of whatever merit or popularity the English Longhorns once possessed was due to his wonderful skill as a breeder, His methods were kept secret, and his ability considered extraordinary; but, to state the case plainly, we have no doubt that many of our modern improvers and breeders possess just as much ability, and are producing just as great results.
Concerning their importation to America, we can say little. A few head were imported into Kentucky as early as 1817, but they were crossed with the Shorthorns and soon lost sight of. We know of but one other importation, although several are said to have been made at different times. In 1872 or 3, the writer attended the lowa State Fair, then held at Cedar Rapids, in Linn County; there was exhibited a herd of some four or five cows and a bull of the genuine English Longhorns; they
LONGHORNS. 129
“S4Y33LS NYOHONO1
130 LONGHORNS—NORMANDIE CATTLE.
were marked somewhat similar to the modern Hereford, with white faces and lined backs and bellies; their sides, however, were of a dun or light red, almost a yellow, and on one or two individuals patches of brindle and roan were visible. We do not remember the name of the exhibitor, nor have we since been able to locate the herd.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
We describe as we remember them, and find that our observations agree with the description given by Allen (American Cattle). Size equal to Shorthorn or Here- ford; color dun or yellowish fawn, sometimes red, brindled or roan, with frequently white faces and white lines on back and belly. Their distinguishing feature lies in the peculiar horns, which are long, ungraceful, curving forward and downward, some- times crossing under the jaws, and frequently requiring amputation to prevent a threatened puncture of the muzzle.
They were claimed to be general purpose animals, but with especial tendency to milk, and were exhibited as would-be rivals of the Shorthorns—at that time in the height of popular favor. Their general appearance was very like the description
given of the earlier unimproved Herefords, and this with the similarity in their mark- ings, would lead us to suppose, that they may have originally sprung from the same channel.
Our illustration was re-engraved by permission expressly for this purpose, from a lithograph made for the Department of State, and was originally from a photograph.
CHAPTER XXXI.
NORMANDIE CATTLE.
From the report of United States Consul Williams, of Rouen, we clip the following:
“The origin of the Norman breed seems unknown; in fact, has never been traced. 1t is con- sidered that the nature of the soil has produced the breed. It seems to have changed very little in the last century and is very remarkable. The center of production of this fine breed is comprised in the departments of Eure, Manche, Calvados and Orne.”
The above, while not very definite information, is the best we have been able to obtain regarding the origin of Normandie cattle. As the breed grows in favor, doubtless some one will be encouraged to more extended—and, we trust, more suc- cessful—search for their early history.
Improvement has been slow but constant, and has been brought about by care in selection and management. Attempts to improve the breed have been made by crossing with Shorthorn or Durham blood, resulting—as might be expected—in a more rounded contour, but decreasing at the same time the milking value and fixed- ness of type: in fact, producing that most unreliable of all animals for breeding pur-
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NORMANDIE CATTLE—NORTH WALES BLACK CATTLE. 133
poses—a cross. For beef the Normandie is undoubtedly improved by the use of bulls of any of our best beef breeds; but when we say this, we have neither added to the claims of one, nor detracted from the merits of the other.
Importations to the United States have been few, and only during recent years. The first of which we have any knowledge was made in 1885, by Mr. J. C. Duncan, of Normal, Ill. Regarding this importation, Mr. Leyi Dillon writes under date August 29th, 1887:
Cues * * fas He [Mr. Duncan] imported from France two years ago, one Normandie bull and one Normandie cow; they are registered, both recorded in France. They are brindle in color, and are noted for their great milking qualities as well as for their beef qualities. They are said to be the equal of the Jerseys as milkers, and the equal of the Shorthorns as beef cattle. I am not a cattle man, but our leading cattle men here speak highly of these cattle. * * a * Combining, as they do, the good qualities of the Jersey and the Shorthorn, I believe they are the coming cattle of this country.”
Another small importation was made to New York City in 1886, and one to Chicopee, Mass., in 1887. Probably others have been made of which we are not aware.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, brown, roan and red or spotted—varying considerably as to marking, but never failing to preserve the brown stripes peculiar to the breed, which have earned for them the term “ brindled.” The head is long and coarse, with large mouth—fit emblem of an enormous appetite. The horn is irregular, commonly twisted and curved toward the forehead; the body long, and deep at the flank, with rather narrow hind parts, showing an escutcheon well marked for milk. The legs are short and the skin rather thick and heavy.
The Normandie cow is classed as a combined milk and beef animal, with ten- dency more towards milking excellence, especially in the Cotentine strain of Nor- mandies. In size they rank with the large breeds, mature bulls weighing from 1800 to 2200 Ibs., cows from 1100 to 1500 Ibs. The illustrations were re-engraved by permission from lithographs made for the Department of State, and were originally from photographs taken in France.
CHAPTER XXXII.
NORTH WALES BLACK CATTLE. (ANGLESEA.)
As a separate and distinct breed, this race of cattle has received attention only of late years. Descended from the same original stock (the wild Forest breed of Wales and West England) as are the Pembrokes or Castle Martins of South Wales, and partaking largely of the same general appearance, they yet show decidedly different characteristics, which, by right, stamp them as a separate breed.
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136 NORTH WALES BLACK CATTLE.
Of the gentlemen in Wales who have been so actively advancing the interests of Anglesea cattle, we can make only brief mention—they well deserve more extended notice. Col. Henry Platt, of Gorddinogg, Bangor; Lord Harlech of Glyn Hall, Talsarnau; R. B. Smith, Esq., of Tynewydd, Bangor, and the Editor and Honor- ary Secretary (now deceased) of the Association, Wm. A. Dew, have been among the most active workers.
Only one importation of which we are aware, has been made to America. In 1885, Mr. J. B. Warren, of Larchwood, Ia., imported 13 head for the Larchwood Estate. Answering our inquiries, under date Sept. 12th, 1887, this gentleman says:
“We have had our herd for the last 18 months, and are prepared to say, that they are a very large breed, quite as large as the Shorthorns, and much hardier. They are excellent milkers, are very docile and thrifty. Last winter most of our cows ran out until the middle of January, and were at that time in much better condition than the natives.” ®
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, black, with, occasionally, white about the udder in cows and the scrotum in bulls: all other spots of white while not necessarily a mark of impurity, are dis- couraged, and will soon no doubt be known only as an occasional reversion. The hair is long, fine and wavy; head rather large; neck medium; quarters full, and general outline approaching very nearly that of the Devons. In size they are classed with the larger breeds, mature bulls weighing from 1800 to 2200 Ibs., and cows from 1100 to 1500 Ibs. The Earl of Cawdor, whose answer is published in a report to the Department of State, goes still higher and places the “live weight of the bulls 24 cwt.; oxen, 22 cwt.; cows, 18 cwt.” The horns of the North Wales cattle are middle sized, long, and yellowish with darker tips; the legs are short, and waste por- tions of the body generally are reduced to a low percentage. Their dairy qualities on an average are counted good—an ordinary herd yielding annually from 125 to 150 pounds of butter to the cow; and occasional herds are found which considerably exceed these figures.
The partisans of the breed claim for them a rank equal to the highest as a com- bined milk and beef breed; we are willing to file the claim, and shall give them ample time to prove it. The establishment of the North Wales Black Cattle Herd Book—the first volume of which appeared in 1883, and the second volume in 1886— will doubtless do much toward improving and keeping pure this really valuable breed
of stock.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
PEMBROKE CATTLE.
; \
(“CASTLE MARTINS,’ OR BLACK CATTLE OF SOUTH WALES. )
Although there are no Pembrokes in the United States at present writing, we have thought best to insert the chapter on account of the close relationship between this breed and the Black Cattle of North Wales—discussed in the preceding chapter.
PEMBROKE CATTLE HEREFORDS. 137
Until within a score of years, the Pembroke breed has included all of the black mountain cattle of Wales. From the report of the Hon. Stephen B. Packard, United States Consul at Liverpool, we quote:
“There are two breeds of cattle in Wales. The North Wales breed [see North Wales Black Cattle] is found in greatest perfection in Anglesea and Caernarvonshire. The South Wales breed was called “Castle Martin,” and the animals are very big, large boned and coarse, but they are not in favor in the north of the Principality. * * * mS Both breeds are black, producing occasionally specimens dun colored and red. Characteristic points require that bulls should have white testicles and the cows white udders.”
Regarding their origin it is only necessary to say, that they are supposed to be directly descended from the Bos primigenius, and are hence allied to the wild “ For- est” breed—still preserved in Chillingham Park, the Devons, and still more closely to their new rivals, the Black Cattle of North Wales.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, black, with the white marks already mentioned. As compared with the North Wales breed, they have shorter hair, lighter hind parts, narrower shoulders, and coarser bones. The best specimens of each breed would bear a really close inspec- tion to decide between them on merit alone; but it is now fully admitted that a much larger number of the North Wales cattle answer the requirements of an improved modern breed.
The particular characteristics claimed for the Pembrokes, are hardiness, dairy qualities and aptitude to range well. They cannot be said to bear forced feeding, but for rough grazing they would doubtless find much fayor upon our western ranges. As to their dairy qualities we confess to some degree of scepticism; it does not seem reasonable that a breed reared under the rough “no care” conditions—which their breeders are careful to claim
can have any very great tendency to large yields of milk. Their flesh is said to be as good as any, and the oxen are docile, easily trained, and make strong active teams.
The first volume of the Herd Book appeared in 1874, and since that time improve- ment of the breed has taken a more decided and systematic turn.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
HEREFORDS.
There is much to be said of the Hereford cattle, as they existed in Herefordshire, and adjoining counties, England; and also of the cattle of Wales. Previous to the time of Tomkins, the cattle of these districts had a reputation for the best of quality, and were of uniform character—varying in size according to elevation and fertility of the range. It was from cattle of this uniform character that the Hereford breed had its origin.
138 HEREFORDS.
The more reliable records place Mr. Benj. Tomkins as the improver, if not the founder, of the breed. Mr. Tomkins was born in 1745, at the Court House Canon Pyon, and began farming at Black Hall, King’s Pyon, 1766—then in his 21st year; he afterward lived at Wellington and then at Brookhaven, King’s Pyon, where he died in 1815. His herd was sold in 1819, and brought (for breeding stock) as
follows: LOVCOWS meters cele $11,245 .00—an average of........ $ 750.00 3 2-year old heifers..... 1,415.00 ae We ono 460.00 2 1-year ¢ Boe 780.00 SOLD eth Gane ei sttepote 390.00 A bulls; oa) eee 5,309.00 OT | Rewiaee ne 1 3835.00 2 bullicalvessascen eee 1,810.00 ¢ Jsasecas (A0}s5{010) Total, 26 animals. 5o.-e eee peo an00) Ny ye eisiaceae $ 792.00
Mr. Tomkins came from a line of ancestors who were prominent men of the county of Hereford as cattle breeders, and many of them prominent men of the nation. He pursued a steadily systematic course in his breeding, and stands, undoubtedly, as regards the history of the improvement of Hereford cattle in the west of England, as do the Colling Bros. in improvement of Shorthorn or Durham cattle in the east. Other noted breeders may be mentioned, among them such men as Yarmouth, Walker, Hoskyns, Penn, Jellicoe, Smith, Lord Talbot, Price, Sherif and others; but the blood of Tomkins’ cattle was always found strongly diffused throughout their herds—as may be seen by consulting the Herd Book records.
To show the recognized value of the Hereford breed for beef at that early day, we give the following prices of cattle sold by Mr. Westcar, and obtained from his books by Mr. Smythies of Marlow. The figures represent 20 Hereford oxen, selected from the entire record as each bringing a figure upwards of £100. Sales of 20 oxen from 1799 to 1811—the average price of which was £106 6s. or $530.00 each:
Li19) DecwaliGthmemeeeee BOXCMcyacnve eects POOL eh oecae $200.00 L800 Dec.) 4theeeree le Ts SECS eee pte song eva ce ate rare epee 147.00 [SOOM DecraStheemeeeer aL” 6. 0 Ad SF UaeS Wegtviy cer steve sctnte maa teat 100.00 18OL Nove 26theeee eee Ge 8: ral ev anend.e eecrsttoue oe ci eased aes 630.00 L802" Noves26theaceeee i, Ea Aevareen SB aqarnevencyare cies cays 100.00 L802 INoveroUthieeeeeee 1. cS Soha ohare ce eee ace ye dere 126.00 TSO2s Decker threat Qi SONIA Fe ts Mike he SRA coctcen ECR 200.00 8030 Dec Athenee Th" FECUEE a omeatente scart Femapcn ie aie eee yrate 100.00 IESKOBS IDES, Uso oso ac | Che Wee Sana Gere rere ascot 105.00 L803) Weer 20 three see DE Coe ga teeeENAC nd GUND On Ooo 105.00 L804 Decks Sthme cee ecm Mine crate hcicuctenetae Are ret arte eer oe 105.00 1805 Deckert thieemesecny EL epee Ss sc citieeldo. attacrtly swars etorier ust op eno keRe he 100.00 SIME INovaeStheeenre ies HPSS erie 3 hoc. A us shustona aan ee 105.00
The Smithfield Club at London, Eng., held its first cattle show in 1799. The winner of the first prize was a Hereford ox, shown by Mr. Westcar, bred by Mr. Tully, Huntington Court, Hereford, and for the first twenty years of this show Herefords won the first or champion prize for the best ox or steer exhibited. During
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39
140 HEREFORDS.
the years from about 1820 to 1834, there was a very warm contest carried on between the respective breeders of Herefords and Shorthorns as to the merits of the two breeds a condition of things which has been kept up with more or less warmth ever since. ( We cannot see why there should be such violent temper displayed by the respective champions of these two popular breeds. Each has a certain definite place in our midst, and it is no secret that any successful breeder is quite likely to regard his own success as a reflection of superior merit in the breed he handles. ‘Live and let live” is a pretty good motto, which both breeders of Herefords and Shorthorns would do
well to heed. )
Mr. Geo. T. Turner, writing to the (Vational Live Stock Fournal of Chicago, in 1880, says:
“The Hereford bullock in London is quite a season animal, and comes only as a grass beast in the late summer and autumn, when it tops the market,”
And, we might add, the Hereford steer has held his own in this respect for more than 100 years.
The Hereford Herd Book was first published in 1846 by Mr. T. C. Eyton—the second volume appearing in 1853. At this time, the markings of the breed were not as uniform as now, and Mr. Eyton classed them according to color as Mottle Faced, White Faced, Gray and Light Gray. In his preface to the second volume, Mr. Eyton says, that many breeders neglected to forward any account of their stock or pedigrees of their bulls, and that it is not his intention “to continue the work unless the breeders generally come forward to assist me more than they have done to the present time. I would willingly give my own time and trouble if I thought all would join in working out the truth, and afford the work sufficient patronage to cover its expenses.” While some few of the breeders were willing to aid in the support of the work, the interest was not general enough to induce Mr. Eyton to continue his labors. In 1856, Mr. W. Styles Powell purchased the copyright, and published the first part of Volume III, containing 286 pedigrees. July 15th, 1857, a letter to the Herefordshire Agricultural Society was read, from Mr. Underwood, solicitor to Rev. W. Powell—uncle to W. S. Powell—stating that the cost of the Herd Book to his late nephew was £30; yet he was willing to place the work as it then stood in the hands of any gentleman recom- mended by the society on payment of £10. Mr. Powell’s offer was accepted, and Mr. Thos. Duckham was requested to carry on the publication of the Herd Book. The conditions were that he should publish it annually, and that an entrance fee of one shilling (28 cts.) should be paid for each head of stock entered. Mr. Duckham proceeded to revise and reprint the portion of Volume III, adding a second part for bulls and a third part for cows with their produce; and in September, 1858, the revised volume was issued. In 1859 Volume IV appeared, with a list of 247 sub- scribers; and Volume V followed in 1862 with a list of 317. Mr. Duckham continued the work on his own responsibility until Volume IX was issued, when—March 5th, 1878—the Hereford Herd Book Society was formed and the Society purchased the copyright, becoming responsible for its publication through an editing committee, of which Mr. Duckham was an active and influential member until his resignation which occurred about two years ago. Volume XVII of the Herd Book was issued last
year (1887).
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142 HEREFORDS.
While Mr. Duckham was editor and publisher, he gave a large portion of his time to advancement of Hereford interests; and the breeders of England and America owe much to him for the records and data that have been preserved to the breed.
In Scotland, Ireland, Australia, South America, and the Island of Jamaica, Here- ford cattle are now well-known, and rank second to none in public favor for early and economic production of beef.
IMPORTATION TO, AND BREEDING IN, THE UNITED STATES:
The Hon. Henry Clay brought two bulls and two heifers to this country in 1817; one bull and the two heifers reached Kentucky and contributed to the improvement of beef cattle in that state. In 1824 Admiral Coffin brought to Massachusetts the Here- ford bull Sir Isaac. The bull was owned for several years by Isaac C. Bates of Northampton, Mass., and was used on the cows in that vicinity with the uniform tes- timony that for all purposes combined, his produce formed the best stock ever kept in that neighborhood. In 1839-40 a large number of Hereford cattle were imported by Mr. William Sotham of Albany, N. Y. They met with a good deal of favor, and were soon well distributed throughout the northeast portion of the United States. In 1851 Messrs. John Humphries and Thos. Ashton brought to Ohio two bulls and two heifers; and since 1879 there have been many importations, and some very large ones. They have gone into all parts of the country, and have uniformly become very popu- lar with all who have handled them.
C. R. Thomas of Independence, Mo., is the present Secretary of the American Hereford Breeders’ Association.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
In color the Hereford is a red of varying shade, generally dark with clear white face, white line—extending from head to tail in some specimens, in others abbreviated to merely a white mane, or what is even more fashionable at present, an oblong spot above and between the shoulders—white belly, white brush and white feet. The horns are medium to long, white, waxy and generally turning outward, forward and sometimes downward. In form they are blocky, square built, with rather short legs and all meat points full and rounded; the tail drops squarely from rumps even and high; the quarters are heavy, muscular and low down on the hocks; the ribs well sprung, but rounded neatly to a long, deep barrel; the head and neck both short and close fleshed; in fact the whole make-up of the animal indicates strongly the marked characteristic of the breed—beef.
The Hereford is emphatically a beef or range animal, and while good milkers are occasionally met with among the cows, most of them do little more than raise wonderfully vigorous calves. The “white faces” have found considerable favor on the great cattle ranges of the Panhandle of Texas. In acclimating, they are well about third on the list,— Holstein-Friesians and Galloways ranking first and second respectively. They are hardy, prepotent to a strong degree, and are classed with the largest of modern breeds, mature bulls weighing from 1900 to 2300 lbs., and cows from 1200 to 1600 Ibs., with occasional animals exceeding these weights.
located as standing even with the Aberdeen-Angus,
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144 HEREFORDS—GALLOWAYS.
Our illustrations faithfully represent animals that have contributed very largely to the success of the Hereford breed in America. Sir Charles, 543, was first secured about 1871 to head the since celebrated herd of Mr. T. L. Miller, Beecher, Ill.; and not long after, Mr. Miller imported the cow Dolly Varden and her calf Success.
Probably no other man in America has done so much to advance the interests of Hereford cattle as T. L. Miller. His latest great undertaking to push the white faces on irrigated lands in Arizona, for shipment by train loads to the large markets of the country, is an enterprise which, if successful, will rank as almost phenomenal; and that it will be successful is almost assured by the simple fact that Mr. Miller has undertaken it.
CHAPTER XXXV.
GAL LO WeA Ys:
These cattle derive their name from the province of Galloway, lying in the southwest portion of Scotland, to which locality they trace a long line of polled ances- try. The breed is among the oldest, authentic history carrying it back to the begin- ning of the 16th Century, and tradition asserting that their was never a time when Galloway cattle did not exist in their native province; moreover, the main distinguish- ing points of the breed were the same then as now, subject only to progressive change from careful selection and management.
Improvement in the Galloway breed was largely stimulated by the extensive pur- chases of Scotch polled cattle by the English soon after the union of England and Scotland. The Scotch breeders knowing that the cattle sold were to travel on foot throughout the greater part of England, vied with each other in attempting to furnish the best animals. It is worthy of note that the improvement of the Galloway has been effected almost entirely by skillful selection, judicious feeding and careful man-
agement—a fact which accounts, in fixedness of breeding, for their present remarkable
prepotency.
Although an old breed, the records date only from recent time,—all pedigrees ~ and papers relating to the breed having been destroyed by fire at Edinburgh in 1851. From 1851 to 1878, they were recorded with the Angus and other polled stock in the Polled Herd Book; in 1878 Galloway breeders published separately the first volume of the Galloway Herd Book of Great Britain, and in 1883 appeared the first volume of the North American Galloway Herd Book—the register now used for American- bred Galloways.
While black has always been the prevailing color, there were formerly many well bred individuals of other colors and one of the most apparent improvements, made by later breeders, has been to eliminate variety in color and reduce the breed to its present color standard, namely black—in winter with a brownish tinge. It must be
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146 GALLOWAYS.
borne in mind, however, that this peculiarity still shows itself in an occasional rever- sion to dun or drab; and such animals, while inferior in selling value, are nevertheless as purely bred as the most sable of their kind. We have at this writing on the College Farm, a heifer—dropped in 1886, got by Admiral Good 1184, Am. G. H. B., out of Admiration 1186, Am. G. H. B, both black—which is a pure dun in color, but a typical Galloway in all other respects.
DESCRIPTION OF THE GALLOWAY,
No horns are admissible, not even scurs; they are emphatically a polled or horn- less breed. The color should be black—in winter showing a brownish tinge from the fact that the long hairs turn brown at the extremities. The skin should be of medium thickness, but soft and pliable, and the hair long, soft and wavy, giving a silken shaggy appearance—with a soft thick coat of wool underneath. Coarse, straight, or closely curled hair is objectionable, especially when the mossy under-coat is wanting. The head should be short and wide between eyes, with full forehead and open nostrils; eyes large and prominent; ears medium sized
rather broad in proportion to length— pointing upward, fringed with long hair, and well provided, both inside and out, with a soft woolly covering; neck short, tapering finely in the cow, and becoming wonder- fully enlarged with age in the bull; quarters long, deep and fleshed well onto the leg; breast wide, brisket heavy, loin well filled and flank low. The body is round and long, back straight, tail thick, with a heavy brush, and legs short and very muscular. The Galloway, in brief, is a heavy bodied, short legged, hornless, black, beefy looking animal. No scale of points has yet been adopted for the breed.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The Galloways are mainly a beef-producing cattle—their flesh finely marbled, sweet and juicy; in proportion of live weight, they dress remarkably well, averaging nearly 60 per cent., and frequently reaching as high as 65 or 66 per cent. of live weight. As range stock they have proven exceedingly valuable, being hardy, easily handled, close shippers, and amply able to find their own food on any reasonable range.
The late mania for dehorning, which we have mentioned, although advocated by breeders of horned cattle, must surely work to the advantage of all of the polled breeds, inasmuch as the average man will consider it much safer, more economical and much less cruel to remoye the horns by using a naturally hornless bull. One of the prominent traits of Galloway cattle is their prepotency when crossed with other breeds—fully 80 per cent. of resulting offspring, being without horns. As to matur- ity, there is considerable difference of opinion, due, we believe, to the fact that Gal- loways vary greatly in ages at which individual animals reach maturity; as a rule we cannot say that they are early maturers—although perhaps comparing favorably with most of their rivals in this respect; neither do they as a rule attain so great weight as several of the other beef breeds—bulls weighing from 1700 to 2100 Ibs., and cows from 1000 to 1400 Ibs., with occasional animals exceeding these figures. We believe there is truth in the following statement: Let a Galloway steer alone, and he will do what he can with credit to himself and profit to his owner; but attempt to crowd him
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148 GALLOWAYS—ABERDEEN-ANGUS.
for extra results, and beyond a certain point the forcing process will not prove a financial success.
In the dairy little is claimed for the Galloway cows, by even their most ardent admirers; it is only fair to state, however, that among them are found some very excellent milkers. The practice of allowing the calf to run with the cow and making the herd find both food and shelter on its own account, while it may have, and doubt- less has, increased the hardiness to a considerable extent, has certainly worked great injury to whatever milking superiority the breed may have originally possessed.
In the South, Galloways stand second on the list as to ease of acclimation; and this fact will doubtless tend to gradually increase the number of pure bred Gallo- way bulls annually shipped to Texas ranges for improvement of native stock.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
ABERDEEN-AN GUS: (POLLED-ANGUS OR POLLED-ABERDEEN. )
As to the origin of this now well-known breed, little is definite beyond the com- monly accepted belief that the two polled Scotch breeds—Galloway and Aberdeen-
Angus—are descended from the polled variety of the original Forest breed. Of the long controversy, between Galloway and Angus breeders, regarding the merits of their respective breeds, we have nothing to say: by many the two breeds are con- sidered identical; some of our best judges predict that at no great distant day, the Aberdeen-Angus and Galloway Associations will follow the example so lately set by the Holstein and the Dutch Friesian breeders, by combining forces to advance the interests of all concerned.
We cannot say that we agree with such expression. While both breeds have undoubtedly descended from the same original stock, yet selection, feeding, care and systematic breeding have changed the characteristics and appearance so greatly as to fully warrant the present recognized distinctions between them. As to what these differences are will be understood from a study of the description and characteristics of the two breeds—which see.
Improvement of the Aberdeen-Angus was first begun in a systematic way about the opening of the present century. Probably no man has contributed more to advance the merits of Angus cattle than Mr. Hugh Watson, of Keillor, Scotland. Mr. Wat- son began his herd in 1808 with 2 bulls and 14 cows—the “best and blackest” that could be found—and by continually breeding in and in, putting the “ best to the best,” without regard to relationship, and carefully weeding out all freaks or reversions, he established a reputation for his herd and for himself as a breeder, which the most successful of breeders might well envy. ‘The early improvers brought to the work superior ability, practical experience and sound sense—following up the
149
ABERDEEN-ANGUS,
150 ABERDEEN-ANGUS.
demand for an animal which should range well, and, at the same time, prove a kindly feeder, quick maturer and an animal of large size, they kept steadily at work until the foundation of the Angus breed was thoroughly laid, tested and received. Among the later breeders of note, we may mention William McCombie, of Tillyfour. His herd was started about the year 1830—just at the time when the pure bred Aberdeen- Angus was threatened with total extinction through the exceeding popularity of the Angus-Shorthorn crosses for feeding purposes. Mr. McCombie believed that the Angus breed was eminently worthy not only of preservation, but of improvement as well, and steadily directed his energies toward the accomplishment of this end.
IMPORTATION TO THE UNITED STATES:
The first of which we have any record was made in 1873 by Mr. Grant, of Vic- toria, Kan.; this was followed in 1878 by an importation of five cows and a bull for Messrs. Anderson & Findlay, of Lake Forest, Il., and the next year a few head were brought over by Mr. F. B. Redfield, of Batavia, N. Y.; since that time importations have been numerous and breeding rapid, until there are, at present writing, probably not less than 2500 to 8000 head of pure bred Aberdeen-Angus in the United States.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
We can best distinguish them by a comparison with the close description of the Galloway already given: There are no horns. The color is pure shining black—
without the brown tinge of the Galloway—and the hair is fine, smooth, short and close-lying. In this respect, alone, the Angus cattle show a greater nicety of breeding, and taken in connection with their size, illustrate perfectly, the aim of both early and modern improyers of the breed, namely: to produce an animal which could be forced with profit, attain large size, and attract attention by his neat and meaty appearance.
In size they are considerably ahead of the Galloway, mature bulls ranging from 1800 to 2200 Ibs., and cows from 1100 to 1500 Ibs.; the forehead is less inclined to fulness, the back broader; flanks deeper, and general form more nearly filling the beef rectangle.
To the ordinary observer, not interested financially in either breed, the Aberdeen- Angus, would undoubtedly rank first from looks alone; to those who go further, and demand not only looks, but hardiness and other qualities combined, it is difficult to decide between them. From our own experience, and what we have gathered from others, the Aberdeen-Angus is the better animal to buy where feed is plenty and pasture luxuriant; but for the range, where the animal has to look out for himself, we would prefer the Galloway. The fact already stated—that Galloways acclimate somewhat better than Angus in the southern fever belt—the latter standing next be- low the former—bears considerable weight with breeders in the great Southwest. To offset this, Angus cattle mature earlier, and attain greater size. Each breed claims preéminence in beef qualities, and we candidly confess our inability to see any differ- ence between them on this point. As a milk cow, the Aberdeen-Angus gives an ample supply for her calf—no more is needed for the range. Either Angus or Gal- loway bulls are excellent dehorners.
The first volume of the American Aberdeen-Angus Herd Book was published
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in 1886—the two main requisites for record being: (1) The animal itself or its sire and dam must be recorded in the Sth or prior volumes of the Polled Aberdeen or Angus Herd Book of Scotland. (2) The animal must be the produce by registered sire of a cow that has produce in the 8th or prior volumes of the Polled Aberdeen or Angus Herd Book of Scotland. The illustrations of both Galloways and. Angus represent excellent specimens of their respective breeds, and will well repay a careful
study.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
SUS SHG Cra ay ea be
This breed is closely allied to the Devon—indeed, some writers assert that it is folly to class them as separate breeds. We cannot think so: certainly their origin is found in the same stock, but this is also true of the Galloway and Aberdeen-Angus breeds. The early writers on the breeds of cattle in Great Britain certainly looked upon the Sussex as a breed well worthy a class by itself. Youatt and Martin, while acknowledging the common origin of both Devon and Sussex cattle, yet speak of the Sussex ox as possessing not only the activity of the Devon, but the strength of the Hereford, “ with the propensity to fatten, and beautiful fine grained flesh of both.”
The breed takes its name from the county or shire of Sussex, England, adjoin- ing Devonshire, and differing from it in contour, elevation and fertility of soil. As already mentioned, the Devons occupied the elevated slopes bordering the Severn; the Sussex cattle held the lower regions of rich luxuriant pasture farther east; and this fact alone—when we consider the long period of time involved—would naturally lead to a very supposable difference between the two breeds.
Improvement of the Sussex has not been rapid, but rather marked by the slow, steady conservatism of their English breeders. In America they have obtained a foothold, and already claim a large share of favor from American stockmen. Mr. Overton Lea, the energetic and popular breeder of Mont Eagle, Tenn. (now Secre- tary of the recently organized association) has done more toward pushing the Sussex to the front in the last five years, than all their breeders in England combined—and only because he has freely advertised, and fully exhibited his cattle, courting inspec- tion at all times, and asking only an honest opinion as to their merits.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, like the Devon, a rich dark red, with white brush to the tail; in size they éxcel the Devon considerably, mature bulls weighing from 1700 to 2000 Ibs., and cows from 1,100 to 1,400 Ibs. Comparing further with the Devon, we may say: The head is coarser with thicker horns; neck heavier, shoulders deeper, barrel longer and general form showing more of a beef tendency; they mature as early; are fine feeders,
hardy, dress well and produce an excellent quality of flesh.
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154 SUSSEX CATTLE—SIMMENTHAL (BERNESE) CATTLE.
At the Fat Stock Show, Chicago, 1885, a yearling Sussex steer received the Class prize on the butchers block, and was only defeated by one vote for the Sweepstakes prize open to all ages. At the Kansas City Fat Stock Show, 1886, a two-year-old Sussex heifer, shown by Fowler and Van Natta of Indiana, won both the Class and the Sweepstakes prizes. When we consider the great number of magnificent car- casses exhibited in competition, we may readily accord to the Sussex for beef a place among those in the front rank,
As milk stock, they cannot claim much—improvement of the breed has been rather‘ with a view of increasing size, appearance and feeding value, than with any idea of enhancing their dairy qualities. What milk they do give, however, is quite rich in cream, and occasionally a cow is found capable of an excellent record as to quantity.
The engraving was prepared expressly for our use, and we do not hesitate to say, that the animals represented are second to few if any in America in point of general merit. Mr. Lea as a breeder of Sussex has been remarkably successful, and his uni- form courtesy and fair dealing have secured for him a host of well-wishers.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
SIMMENTHAL (BERNESE) CATTLE.
The Simmenthal cattle came originally from Canton, Berne, Switzerland, but the best specimens are found in the valleys of Bernese Overland, and on the rich pastures of western Switzerland and southern Germany. In southern Germany, especially, the fertile valleys have been found very favorable to steady improvement, and to the late King William of Wurtemburg, who was especially interested in their importa- tion to Germany, the breed is largely indebted for its present improved condition.
So far as we can ascertain, only two importations of these cattle have been made to the United States. In 1886, the Rev. F. Von Schluembach, of Perry, Tex., while on one of his periodical visits to Germany, became much impressed with the idea that just such cattle as the Simmenthal were needed in the United States, and if properly handled would grow rapidly in favor. He accordingly secured and brought over all yearlings, the first Simmenthal
successfully four head—two bulls and two heifers cattle ever brought to America. (The second importation of Simmenthal cattle was made in May, 1887, by John Dick, of Quincy, Ill.) Writing to the Author, under date February 14th, 1888, Rev. Von Schluembach says:
(oe * * * The weight of the cattle in Switzerland is very great: bulls up to 3000 Ibs.; cows, five-year-old, upwards of 1800 lbs. Height, from 1.34 to 1.4 meters [54 to 56 inches]; length, 2.15 to 2.2 meters [85 to 87 inches], well and equally developed animals. aS * * * Edelweis [referring to one of the heifers imported in 1886], three-year-old cow, May 1st, gives about four quarts per day now, but she will come in with second calf very soon. They are not a distinctly dairy breed, but are rather for meat purposes; but, at the same time, I believe good milkers if properly attended to. Although I imported my cattle in spring, and after quarantine in New York, had to
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156 SIMMENTHAL (BERNESE) CATTLE.
bring them to Texas in August, by steamer to New Orleans, they have done finely from the start, and are easily acclimatized. The success I had with them in this respect, I attribute in no littie measure to your excellent and very reliable suggestions. * * * They are easy kept in food, are fully satisfied with Texas prairie hay and loose bran, feed up well, and fatten easily. * * *”
Wishing to present an accurate description of this valuable breed, the Author made a personal inspection of Rev. Von Schluembach’s herd in March, 1888; and from notes made at that time, gives the following
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, light yellowish red, spotted with white—in one strain of the breed, evenly variegated, in the other strain, the white is confined mainly to the legs and belly line with white marks about the flanks, and usually also, about head and neck. Further than this there is no distinctive arrangement of color marking. In size they are fully equal to the largest Herefords or Holstein-Friesians—bulls weighing at maturity 1900 to 2300 pounds, cows from 1200 to 1600 Ibs. The head is broad and short, rather beefy, with a neck which in the bull fills up grandly as the animal develops, and in the cow is short, not delicate but neat and well carried. There is a characteristic mark in the peculiar pendent skin beneath the throttle in both sexes—especially so in the bull—and in the rather long and finely shaped ears well fringed with hair.- The horns are white and waxy to the tips, pointing outward and upward, sometimes for- ward, much like those of the Hereford, but shorter and better curved. The shoulders are deep and surmounted by amass of dense muscular tissue, filling the crops to an even line; ribs well sprung to a neatly rounded barrel; haunches smooth—not promi- nent: indeed, the eyen rounded appearance of the haunches, as seen from rear view, may be called a prominent characteristic of the breed. The tail is placed well up, and drops squarely between full buttocks; legs medium to short, with large, strong bone closely held in firm tissue—almost the perfection of bovine symmetry and
strength. The general appearance indicates beef and feeding capacity; and the long body, squarely placed on legs of moderate length, gives a frame work of sufficient size to carry an enormous carcass.
As we have already indicated, the Simmenthal should be classed with the beef breeds. As to their merit for use in grading up on the range, we can only conjecture, as they have not been tried long enough to exhibit any grade offspring. We believe, however, that the southwestern rangemen have a very valuable addition to their stock in this breed, and we shall await further trial with interest.
The engraving has been prepared expressly for our use from a photograph of Rey. Von Schluembach’s cattle, by Baron Von Hollweg, and is remarkably accurate in all details. The bull in front is Czar; a fine model with evenly variegated color. The one showing escutcheon (rear view) is Sultan; he represents the type in which the white markings are limited to lower line, legs and head. The view of Sultan displays fully the characteristic rounded haunches, and shows a thigh well turned and extremely muscular. The cow Edelweis is unfortunately almost hidden by the two bulls, but is fully their equal in.breed markings and characteristics.
BRAHMIN (ZEBU) CATTLE. 157
CHAPTER XXXIX.
BRAHMIN (ZEBU) CATTLE.
Referring to the name by which these cattle are known in America, it may be well to state that it has no authentic foundation other than the prevalent but mistaken idea
that but one breed of cattle is found in India, and that one connected in some mysterious way with the Brahmin religion. There are, in fact, several breeds of cattle in India, each one transmitting its peculiar qualities with as much certainty as do any of the modern breeds so well known in America. True, all of these families possess many characters in common, but they differ sharply in those distinctive qualities by which American breeders must judge of their value.
Mr. Albert Montgomery, of New Orleans, has kindly placed at hand a number of private letters from reliable parties in various portions of India, written in response to queries prior to his importation of Brahmins in 1885. According to the unanimous testimony of these men—well qualified to judge—the family best calculated to find favor in America is, in India, known as the “ Buchour,” and it is from cattle of this family that most of the shipments to America have been made. The name “ Brah- min,” however, is so firmly fixed among those who have bred or known them in the Southern States, that it would be impracticable at least to attempt a change. We have therefore adopted the nomenclature which heads this chapter, and shall refer, solely, to the cattle as now known in the United States.
The Brahmins—as noted above—form one of the common domestic breeds of
Indian cattle, are found also in China and East Africa, and are the only breed which can endure the intense heat and insect pests of the countries named. They differ from our domestic cattle in the following particulars: The period of gestation is about 300 days, while the average period with the common cow is 283 days; they have a hump of fat over the shoulders, and 18 caudal vertebrae as against 21 in our ordinary cattle. These characteristics have led naturalists to class them as a distinct species (Bos Indicus), but the bulls breed as freely with all varieties of the common cow (Bos taurus), as with females of their own peculiar breed.
Introduction to the United States dates from before the year 1853, when Mr. Davis, of South Carolina, purchased from the Earl of Derby, the first pair of Brah- mins ever brought to the United States. This importation finally found its way, about 1858 or 1859 to the McHatton Farm, above St. Louis; but it was too far north for them, and the entire herd was afterward sold at auction. Brahmin cattle found their way to Mexico about 1867, when Mr. F. McManus & Sons shipped 20 head— descended from the Davis importation—to the “ Brachimba Farm,” near the city of Mexico. No attempt was anywhere made to keep them pure, but the grades were much sought, and were soon widely scattered through northeast Mexico and southern Texas. Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Ga., also made an importation of pure Brahmins before the war, and descendants of his stock have been scattered all over
158 BRAHMIN (ZEBU) CATTLE.
Florida and the coast regions of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. In southern Texas especially, the Brahmin blood has played an important part in improving the native stock, and its value is attested by the constant demand for Brah- min grades from practical stockmen in the region named.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
They may be best described by calling attention to those peculiar points which distinguish the grades—even when as low as .1-16th of Brahmin blood is present. The ears are long and drooping; the horns, in the thoroughbred, point upward and backward—in the grades this peculiarity is retained, but greatly modified. The dewlap is voluminous, especially at the throttle; the hips are rather narrow, and the rump slopes rapidly from the sacrum to the tail. The loose fold of skin at the navel is remarkably developed, swinging from old males so as to almost touch the ground: this latter may be called the distinguishing mark of a Brahmin grade. We have seen a great many of these grade steers—some of them having not more than 1-16th of Brahmin blood, but every one retained this peculiar mark. In the grade heifers or cows, it is not so strongly marked, but even a novice would have no trouble in detecting the Brahmin blood. The color of the thoroughbred Brahmin is a sort of silver gray, with darker (iron gray) fore and hind quarters; and a large percentage of the grades from native cows exhibit similar markings.
As to the economic value of this breed for the southwestern ranges, we have already written. The great advantage which they have over any other breed capable of improving the so-called “ native” Texan, lies in the fact, that they acclimate with perfect safety. Their native home is subject to about the same conditions (in concen- trated form) as obtain in the Gulf regions of the United States; and a change to the latter seems only to act as a sort of strong tonic, increasing the general vigor and health. :
We cannot say that we admire them—in fact an American ideal of a thorough- bred bull is likely to be considerably shattered on first inspection of a typical Brah- min; but there can be no doubt as to their utility in the region named. The cross improves the quality of native beef, and adds quantity by increasing size. For the dairy, some of the cows are said to be superior; they give a large quantity of milk, but the quality is rather deficient; moreover, the wild nature of the animal is liable to crop out in a variable, and sometimes vicious, temper. The grades from good quiet cows, are of course more nearly free from this objection, and in many places, dairies of Brahmin grades are giving good satisfaction.
The previously published experience of Col. Peters is interesting in this connec- tion, and we quote:
“The animals did excellent, and I thought I had solved the problem. They made fine beef cattle—wonderful—and some of them were extraordinary milkers. I had one grade Brahmin cow, that gave 36 quarts of milk per day; I exhibited her at the fairs, and took premiums everywhere; but I discovered that the milk lacked butter-making qualities. * * * * And then the Brahmins were the most malevolent animals in the world, with a distinctive aversion to women. I don’t think
I ever saw a Brahmin cow that a woman could milk. * * * * JT never knew one animal to die of murrain. They made the best work oxen I ever raised.”
The place for the Brahmins is on the southern ranges, and the grade bulls—half bloods—with which Mr. Albert Montgomery, of New Orleans, and his partner, J.
‘wT ‘SULITIO MAN ‘AQAANOOLNOW LuanTy Jo Aysodorg
BRAHMIN (ZEBU) CATTLE.
159
160 BRAHMIN (ZEBU) CATTLE—WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE.
M. Frost, of Houston, Texas, are supplying the market, find ready sale at good prices. Mr. Frost, writing to the Author under date of July 9th, 1888, says: “[ defy any man to name the time when he ever saw a tick on either pure or half-breeds, or a
worm from the blow fly [screw worms]. Further than this, 1 defy any man to say that he ever saw any of them to die from asevere winter. They are the grandest cattle that exist for southern climates.”
The illustration represents the imported Brahmin bull Khedive, and several of his grade offspring from native Texas cows—property of the gentlemen just men- tioned
and was engraved for our use from photographs taken in Houston, Texas.
CHAPTER XL.
WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE. (KYLOES. )
This breed is undoubtedly native to the Highlands of West Scotland, and the islands along the coast. The mountain breeds of Scotland may all be referred to the same original stock, and their variations at the present time, ascribed to climatic or other natural and artificial conditions under which they have been reared. As in Wales we have the Pembroke and North-Wales Cattle, so in Scotland, we have the West Highlands, as direct descendants of the original Forest stock.
Improvement of the breed has been effected mainly by selection and careful in- breeding. About the middle of the last century, the Duke of Argyle commenced a systematic course of breeding, which soon called public attention to the herds of Argyleshire; in course of time the superior quality of his stock was communicated to all the cattle of the Highlands, and has since served as a basis for their continued excellence and improvement. The Hebridean farmers especially, declare that the Kyloes are as nearly perfect, for that locality, as may be, and assert positively that outcrosses, whenever tried, have only tended to render the offspring less hardy with- out increasing either quality or quantity of beef. Several importations have recently been made to the United States and Canada, and we may confidently look for more extensive introduction in the future.
DESCRIPTION:
Color, black; until late years, this color was not so strictly adhered to—brown, brindle, dun and other colors were nearly as common as black; even now while the fashionable Kyloe must be black, there are many animals of equal merit showing other colors, indeed we are inclined to agree with Prof. Low when he says:
“The breeders should look to the essential character of form, without limiting themselves to a black color of the hair, which is a property altogether secondary.”
The face is broad, tapering to a narrow muzzle, and showing a gradual dish or curvature from the horns to the nose. The eyes are prominent, bright and restless;
WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE. 161
162 WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE.
ears well carried and thickly covered with hair; horns middle sized, broad and waxy at base, and curving upward to sharp points of a darker shade; neck short with con- siderable dewlap; back wide and straight, with full crops and even loin; ribs well sprung, and dropping to somewhat flattened sides. A striking peculiarity of the Kyloe is found in the small space between the hips and the last floating ribs. The lumbar region is remarkably short and strong, a provision rendered necessary by the mountainous character of their native country, and admirably fitting them for moun- tainous or hilly ranges wherever found. The hind quarters are full, deep and fleshed well down to the hock—twist low; forequarters wide apart, deep and heavy; brisket very full, and projecting well forward; legs short, straight and strong boned. The skin is mellow, “handling” remarkably well, and the hair is long, thick and more or less wavy—curled hair is considered an objection. In general we may say: the Kyloe is a compact, blocky built, neat looking, middle horned animal of dark color and medium size. Mature bulls weigh from 1100 to 1600 lbs.; cows from 700 to 1000 lbs.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The West Highland breed has two very strongly marked characteristics—(1) hardiness; and (2) excellent beef qualities. To use a western expression, the Kyloe is a good “rustler”—that is, he is entirely capable of taking excellent care of himself if given a reasonable opportunity. Trained for generations to range over pastures always hilly, and sometimes scant, and sheltered only by the rocks and ravines of his native range, it is no wonder that the modern Kyloe is superlatively hardy. Why they have not been introduced more extensively in the ranges lying along the foot hills of the Rocky Mountains, is only explained by the push and energy of Hereford, Angus and Galloway breeders; and the mania
we can call it nothing else Americans, for breeding size without regard to vigor. Certainly it would be hard to imagine a better stock for the broken range countries of the western United States, than is found in this vigorous and impressive breed.
among
And now comes the second point in his favor—meat excellence. Facts are stub- born things, and the fact that Kyloe or West Highland beef has almost invariably commanded a higher price in the London markets than beef of other breeds, speaks volumes in its favor. We must remember, however, that the Kyloes have never yet been in such demand as to shut off the annual supply of thoroughbred beef; while with some of the more popular breeds, nothing has found its way to the shambles, except the inferior animals—too poor for breeding purposes. That the West High- land beef is really better than the marbled beef of either Galloway, Angus or Hereford, we are much inclined to doubt; but that Kyloe beef is as good as the best there can be no question. As work cattle, we have litttle knowledge concerning them; the people of the Highlands have always been essentially stock raisers, and there has been consequently small demand for oxen trained to the yoke. They possess the
essential properties—activity and strength—and with training, would undoubtedly rank high for this purpose. Nothing is claimed for the Kyloe cow in the dairy: she gives sufficient milk to bring up her calf in excellent condition and for the range,
nothing more is desired.
“d1V9 GNV MOO GNVIHOIH LSAM
164 WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE—TEXAS CATTLE.
The engraving of cow and calf was prepared expressly for the Breeders Gazette of Chicago, and the kindness of the Gazette people in parting with an electro for our use, is acknowledged with thanks: the engraving of the bull is English work—both represent excellent specimens of the Highland breed.
CHAPTER XLI.
ADIOS) (Cua IP ah iG 18).
On the ranges of the Southwest have existed for many years, vast herds of cattle, which by their peculiar characters—effectually transmitted to their offspring—may be classed as a breed. Although known as “Texas Cattle,” the same race extends throughout Mexico, and has been pretty well scattered through the more northern and western territories of the United States. According to Allen (American Cattle ) “they are the descendants of the early Spanish stock introduced into Mexico in the sixteenth century ;” and this is undoubtedly correct, as a comparison of Texas cattle with the modern cattle of Spain would show—eyen at this time, after centuries of changed conditions
a marked similarity.
The same original stock must also have furnished a nucleus for the now almost countless bovine population of South America. In this connection we quote Prof. Low (Domestic Animals of Great Britain ):
“The origin of those amazing herds which cover the plains of Paraguay, Buenos Ayres, and
other noble provinces, is traced by Spanish writers to the arrival by way of Brazil of seven cows and a bull from Andalusia, at the City of Assumption on the Paraguay, in the year 1556.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color varies, light dun and mouse color are, perhaps, most common, but red, yellow and black
and each with all styles of white markings—are found. <A point already mentioned in the chapter on Jerseys is the usually lighter color of the hair
bordering the muzzle
a peculiarity doubtless derived from the cattle of Spain where it is commonly observed. In size they vary according to the quality of range, but as arule are small—bulls weighing from 1000 to 1200 lbs.; cows from 600 to 900 Ibs. Texas steers at 4 years old, grass fat, generally weigh from 900 to 1200 Ibs. The distinguishing feature lies in the extraordinary size of the horns; these assume various wide, spreading shapes, sometimes measuring upwards of four feet from tip to tip. The cows are practically worthless for the dairy—few giving more than one or two gallons per day on good feed; but the value of the race to the whole country where it finds a natural home, can hardly be over-estimated. The improved breeds have found in this hardy stock, a basis which receives most kindly the blood of im- provement; indeed, but for Texas cattle, the Southwest would wait long years before possessing many herds of improved varieties. It is wonderful what results obtain in a few years from a single improved bull, placed with Texas cows. There is no dying
CATTLE.
XAS
166 TEXAS CATTLE—HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
of such offspring by acclimating fever, and if the bull only survives until the cows are served, he has more than repaid his cost. It is this fact which has stimulated the demand for thoroughbred bulls during the last decade, and placed thousands upon thousands of Hereford, Aberdeen, Galloway, Shorthorn and other grades upon our ranges. The breed originally known as Texas Cattle, will, before many years, be a thing of the past, but its descendants combining the blood of improved varieties, will give a different character in the future to Texas cattle sold for Eastern markets.
The engraving is an exact reproduction of a photograph taken under our imme- diate direction Aug. 4th, ’88, and may be accepted as a fair likeness of a native Texas at time the
ox. (The horns of the animal represented in the illustration measured
photo was taken—three feet, five inches from tip to tip, and the animal—five years
old—weighed about 1000 lbs. )
CHAPTER XLII.
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
As already noted in the summary of part second, we have considered the breeds of cattle under three heads—dairy, general-purpose, and beef. Each of the known families of cattle must be classed under one of these divisions, and for whatever pur- pose bred, will all be subject to the same general principles of care and handling.
In these days of specialists and “experts,” even the breeders of stock have caught the contagion, and lines are drawn so closely between dairy and beef types, that it is an absolute necessity to refer to some intermediate class the many breeds which are valuable in both extremes, but supreme in neither. Cattle are no longer chosen entirely with reference to size, weight and rounded contour; but the peculiar qualities of each animal are as carefully estimated, and for these qualities the animal as quickly appropriated to satisfy some taste or special judgment, as any other commodity, sub- ject to the inevitable law of supply and demand. There is ample room for every improved breed of cattle, which has been, or in the future may be, established; and we have little patience with such narrow views as prompt a breeder to decry all other breeds but his. To advance one’s interests, by setting forth the good qualities of his wares, is perfectly legitimate; but to attempt to advance one breed by tearing down another, is pernicious, and will sooner or later destroy public confidence, not only in the men, but also in the breed they champion so unwisely.
In deciding the question as to which breed will prove most profitable, a man must be governed largely by: (1) The natural conditions of soil and climate; (2) nearness to market or shipping facilities; (3) the relative cost of outfits and materials for carrying on the different lines of work; (4) The cost and scarcity or abundance of competent labor; (5) the probabilities of fluctuation in market value, or the rela-
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. 167
tive cost of holding over to meet a more favorable market; and (6) most important of all, the peculiar fitness of the man, either by natural ability, taste or education, for one of the special lines of work to which the various breeds are severally adapted.
It will thus be seen how impracticable it is to give advice on selection of the “best” breed, and how utterly worthless such advice must be, unless given with inti- mate knowledge of all the peculiar conditions we have mentioned, and many others which will doubtless occur to the thinking reader. There are, however, certain points which may be given as an aid to individual selection, and of these we mention:
First.—The animal should be carefully studied, with reference to some standard description of the breed to which it belongs; such a description we have aimed to give in each Chapter devoted to a breed; and no animal should be selected for breeding purposes that does not show, in appearance or progeny, the dominant characters of its particular breed.
Second.—If a cow desired for the dairy, she should have the typical milk wedge: that is, as seen either from above or from the side, a V shaped outline, with the apex forward. The fore regions may be rather light in appearance, but the barrel must gradually deepen to the flank, joining the udder in an almost continuous line, as though the entire body were a portion—as indeed it is—of the milk machine. As to shape and appearance of the udder, breed characteristics must largely govern, but we may say in general that a well formed udder should be large only when distended with milk: when empty it should appear small, and will usually hang in loose folds or wrinkles. Asa rule, those cows having broad udders close up to the body, but spread- ing well forward and back, may be expected to give a good quantity of milk, while the cows with rather narrow and longer udders—“ bottle-shaped”—will usually give a better quality as to butter content. The so-called milk veins, running from the udder region on either side of the abdomen forward, should be irregular and puffy, rather than straight and even; a rich? yellow colored skin is usually an excellent indication of value in the butter line, and a soft, glossy coat, is an invariable accompaniment of health.
The escutcheon or “milk mirror,”
consists of hair turned in a reverse direction from that grown on other parts of the body, and is found on the udder—spreading forward and backward, and between the thighs, covering a greater or less surface according to the milking capacity of the animal. As previously stated, we shall not undertake a description of the various classes and orders of escutcheons outlined by Guenon; the system is of sufficient importance to justify all the comment, favorable and otherwise, which it has provoked, and we can do no less than advise a careful study of the subject before deciding as to its practical utility. In our own experience, we have found the Guenon system of much value. The escutcheon cannot, in our opinion, be relied on as the only expression of good or bad milking quality, but if properly used in connection with other milk signs it furnishes a most valuable aid in the selection of dairy stock. Finally, and most important of all, be sure that the ani- mal has a feminine look: a decided cowy appearance, especially of the head, not only indicates milking promise, but may also be accepted as a uniform sign of docility. The typical outline for meat excellence should be sought in an animal full and even at all points, but especially well rounded at the parts which carry beef of highest
168 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
price and quality. Animals which lay on fat in bunches are objectionable, as are, also, those which carry an immense bony frame—too large to be ever fully loaded. To put the matter in a nut-shell: In selecting for beef, choose always the animal which will dress the largest amount of high-priced beef and the least proportion of low-priced beef and offal. The parts to be favored then, are: Shoulders, fore ribs, loin, haunches and hams; and the parts to be curtailed as much as possible are: Head, neck, legs and belly. Beef is the end—if not the aim—of all cattle, and on the great ranges of the West, until the fertile prairies are dotted with settlers homes, the beef breeds will hold an undisputed sway.
Third.— Between these two extremes of milk and beef stands the general-pur- pose animal—the one of all others which must always play a prominent part in the economy of thousands of small farms throughout the United States. The small
farmer demands a cow which will not only furnish a fair quantity of milk and butter, but also carry at the same time a frame of good size, and show a natural tendency to flesh when not in milk. Steers from such cows make profitable feeders, and the cows themselves when rendered unfit for breeding by any cause, as accident or age, may be fed for the butcher and turned into cash at minimum loss. To select such an animal, requires ability to discover and appreciate the good points, when partially hidden by others of, perhaps, equal worth, but opposite indications. With this per- ceptive ability, and a knowledge of the good points of both beef and dairy types, a man will experience little difficulty in selecting cattle for any desired purpose. Concerning care and management for the herd, we are pleased to present the following letters from practical breeders in different portions of the United States:
Flolstein-Friesians.
“ LAKESIDE Farm, Syracuse, N. Y., July 24th, 1888.
* * * * “The methods of feeding and caring for our stock are extremely simple. Calves are taken from dams when a day or two old and fed for a few weeks, new, full milk; then, as the calf gets age and strength, we take away the full milk, and in its place give centrifugally separ- ated skim-milk. We also give, dry, a small amount of ground oats and wheat bran, the amount of either food depending on the condition and assimilative powers of the animal. As the animal devel- ops, we add to the amount of dry and liquid food given, as we think the calf will digest and assimilate it, until it reaches an age and development that warrants taking the milk away and supplying hay and grain. We always leave a little hay in manger, that the calf may eat ad ibitum. In summer we send the females to pasture, and the males are kept in stable, but are given frequent exercise in open air yards or paddocks. We commence using the bulls at about a year old. We aim to breed the heifers, conditions being favorable, when about 15 to 16 months old, so that they will calve after two years old. As the time approaches for calving, the heifer is put in a box stall, and carefully watched, and during calving, if necessary, assistance is given. For the first few days after calving, very little grain food is given, and that largely bran; then, as she gains strength, we gradually add in quantity and qual- ity of grain food, the amount depending entirely on the individual and its powers of digestion and assimilation, but in a mixture of two parts of wheat bran to one of ground oats and one-fourth of one part of oil meal, which is our mixture for cows, where quantity of milk is required, or, if feeding for butter, one part each of corn meal, ground oats and bran, and one-fourth of one part of oil meal, the amount per capita would be from 4 to 12 pounds per day.
“Our milch cows are milked twice or three times a day, as circumstances dictate, and are fed at each milking, which is done in the stable, grain feed being fed dry. In summer, cows run in pasture; they are fed soiling foods, such as rye, clover, oats or corn in stable, when pastures are poor. In winter, corn or clover ensilage is fed, with an alternate feeding of hay.
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. 169
“The milk of each cow is carefully weighed separately, and the amount set down at the time on a blackboard conveniently placed, and each day transferred to a book made for the purpose; the milk is then taken to the creamery where it is thoroughly strained through a perforated tin strainer and four thicknesses of cheese-cloth into a large tank; from there it goes into a smaller tank and thence into the De Laval Separator. The skim or separated milk, is run into a tank, from which it is drawn as needed. The cream is put in large vessels and allowed to acidify, and then churned in a cubic churn propelled by steam power. When the butter is in the grain, the buttermilk is drawn off, and the butter thoroughly washed in clear, cold water; itis then taken to the butter-worker, and salt added, one ounce to the pound of butter, then packed away in a cold room, and next day taken out, worked and packed for market.
“We use no cotton seed meal or concentrated or highly stimulating foods, nor any drink other than pure water. Scrupulous cleanliness is used in caring for both calves and cows, milk and butter.
“We keep our service bulls in stalls, and fasten them with chain from ring in the nose, and also from strap around the neck. They are so placed as to be able to see each other, and we think this tends to make them fearless of strangers and accustomed to company. ‘These bulls we feed very sparingly of grain, and give hay and soiling foods in summer and ensilage in winter.
Yours truly, Smirus, PoweLt & Lams.”
The above is an excellent type of well-planned, thorough system. Lakeside Farm has become very widely known for the high class of its stock and dairy prod- ucts, and the success attained is explained by the above outline of actual methods
pursued. Ferseys. Manor, Tex., July 16th, 1888.
Sts * * * My stock run in pasture in all except the very severest weather. Young things by themselves until old enough to breed, when they are turned into the larger pasture with the others. The time of their breeding is noted. Unless in thin order, no feed is given to heifers or dry cows in the grass season. Cows giving milk are fed all the time on cotton-seed, shelled oats and crushed corn and cob meal, with hay or corn fodder as I happen to have. If a cow is to drop calf in winter, she is carefully watched, and stabled in roomy box stall well littered. If the weather is mild, she is left in pasture. (No mules in pasture). As soon as the calf is dropped, the cow is milked out clean.
“ The calf is allowed to suck until it is three or four days old, when it is removed and afterwards never allowed to suck, but fed on whole milk fresh from the cow till it is four to six weeks old, when sweet skim milk is gradually substituted. At first the skim milk is slightly warmed, but afterwards, unless in exceeding cold weather, no warming is done. I have never had a case of milk fever nor other trouble about calving, nor do my calves ever suffer from scours. If an animal appears consti- pated, a dose of salts or ‘liver regulator’ is given, but I doctor very little. In bad weather everything is sheltered and fed, the main food for everything being cotton-seed. In fact, except to cows in milk, cotton-seed, with access to straw stack and pasture is the only feed.
“T have lost a few head from Black Leg, but believe it can be prevented—not cured if it is very far advanced. When an animal dies, all the young and susceptible animals are at once given a mild cathartic and antiseptic. Have used Copperas, tablespoonful, with about as much of the dry powder Simmons’ Liver Regulator, or one level teaspoonful Salicylic Acid and heaping teaspoonful of Sulphite of Soda; in either case, the dose is repeated for two or three days. I have stopped three outbreaks—losing none after beginning treatment.
“In short, I follow nature as near as I can, depending on grass, good water and pure air for all. For about three months, stable; remainder of time in open lots; calyes on grass from two weeks old.
Very truly, &c., L. B. GiILEs.”
The above gives an idea of how the dairy herd is handled where cotton-seed is the main or staple food. While we are not of opinion that cotton-seed is the best food for cows in milk, yet there is no doubt that it and its product after extraction of
170 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
the oil—cotton-seed, meal—are the most valuable concentrated food-stuffs which the Southern dairyman can command. Fairly good—even excellent—butter is made from the milk of cows fed largely on cotton-seed-meal, but its best effect is had when combined in smaller proportion with food-stuffs less rich in protein. Mr. Giles has certainly made an excellent showing inway of handling calves; there are few herds, where calves are reared by hand, that do not occasionally suffer from attacks of the scours, and Mr. Giles’ success in this respect is probably due to the fact that he makes accurate note of the animal’s condition from the time it is born.
Devons. “ NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 19th, 1888.
66 * * * As a breeder of Devons, having as the principal object in view, the sale of young animals, it is necessary first that there should be absolute purity of blood; this is secured by starting with pure bred cows and bull, and as the bull is by much the largest part of the herd, extraordinary care is taken in his selection. No bull in my herd is inbred to his own calves, and although I do not part with a bull which I consider good, when his heifers come of age to be bred another bull of different strain is bought to serve them. My heifers are bred not under two years old, and are placed with the bull in the month of July, so that the first calf of the heifer will be dropped in April or May, thus giving an opportunity for the udder to be expanded by the spring grazing. Of 16 heifers being bred this season, the youngest was dropped 2nd September, 1886, so that the youngest heifer will be at least 31 months old at calving, and most of them three years old. My object in this is to give stamina and constitution, both to the cows and their progeny, which I think are greatly impaired by the very early breeding practiced by some breeders, in the great desire to get quick returns. After the first calf is dropped, I do not consider it of much importance in our climate at what season the calf comes, so my bull runs with the herd of milk cows all the time, and calves are being dropped by my cows at all seasons of the year, the time between calves running from ten to twelve months.
“The bull is driven to the cow-house regularly every night with the milk cows, and, in my experience of twelve years as a breeder of Devons, buying a new bull about every two years, I have never had a vicious bull. This may be attributed in part to the docility of the breed, but I think it also partly attributable to the manner in which they are kept. All of my cows (twin calves or some rare cases excepted) are milked night and morning in order to protect and develop the milking habit, but not enough is taken from them to stint the calves, who finish the job and take what the milkman has left, and no great complaint is made about the quantity of the milk which goes to the dairy so long as the calves are fat.
“ Calves are turned out to pasture every morning, and when weaned at six to eight months old, are put upon pasture. During the winter months the weaned calves have as much hay—red top, timothy or clover—as they can eat, and once each day are fed with grain (cornmeal coarsely ground) enough to keep them in good condition. Cows are milked in the cow-house in stall with rope halter fastened around the neck, and are fed every time they are milked—during the summer, very lightly, just a little being put in their troughs to keep them quiet; but in winter all the finely-cut hay they can eat, and coarsely-ground cornmeal asa grain ration. Except in extremely severe weather in winter, cows are turned out every day and night. Loose boxes about 10x20 feet are provided for cows which calve in the winter, and in summer, small pastures near by in which cows are put a few days before calving. Such is my system; the result: gentle bulls, heaithy cows, breeding regularly up to the age of 18 or 20 years, and healthy calves, kept easily all the time in good growing condition, but never pampered until they look fat enough for prize beef.
Truly, Epwarp D. Hicks.”
Mr. Hicks knows how to handle Devons for profit. His plan of letting the bull run with the cows, is one which must be carefully regulated as to number of cows admitted if the sire is to be kept in prime breeding shape; but, when so managed, is
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE. 171
very satisfactory. It is the practice usually adopted by all breeders of range stock, certainly tends to render the bull more easily subject to control, and cannot fail to find plenty of advocates. His method of rearing calves will make fine beef animals, but, if continually practiced,—one generation after another,—will surely tend to destroy whatever capacity for large milk yield a breed may have originally possessed. As we have stated—“Nature” is all right in her way, but a considerable amount of “Art” has always been required to increase the dairy excellence of any breed. His practice is correct, inasmuch as it fills the demand for beauty of form, fattening pro- pensity, and early maturity which a majority of Devon purchasers have created; but we confess to a feeling of disappointment that the Devon breed is not more strongly stimulated to bring into greater prominence its inherent dairy worth.
Red-Polled and Shorthorn Grades.
“TEMPLE, Texas, August 20th, 1888. * * * *
“T begin when calves; pen everything each night; keep plenty of salt in the lot at all times ; throw them a batch of shucks or cut corn—all of which has a tendency to make them gentle and docile. I breed them young, let the calves come at 24 to 30 months old, then feed well. I think that makes better milkers. It has, however, a tendency to dwarf the heifer—she never gets so large when so treated. My cattle are all ‘Muleys: I can feed twelve head in a 12-foot trough and not crowd them. I use young bulls a little at one year old—say ten cows that year I keep my bull up in day time with calves all the spring, and turn him out at night; it makes him much gentler and more docile. I keep a ring in each bull’s nose after one year old. I dehorn when calves, if they have horns at birth. I feed milk cows the year round—it pays. I use salt, sulphur and lime for my Cattle; don’t allow the ticks to accumulate on them. I have my cows milked at 6 A. mM. and 6 p. M., as near as I can. I keep about 20 to 25 head of cattle, which are penned where the rain carries the washings from the pen on to the farm, hence the liquid manure is saved on the land without much work.
Yours truly, W. A. Crarx.”
Mr. Clark is a Texas farmer who has found money in the dairy business. He believes in dehorning, but thinks they should always be removed when the animal is very young.
American Holderness.
In answer to our request for statement as to methods practiced by him, Mr. T. A. Cole, of Solsville, Madison County, N. Y., originator of the American Holderness breed, sends a very interesting “write up,” clipped from the Mew ork ( Weekly) Sun. We make the following extract:
“REARING CALVEs.—As may be inferred, nearly all the calves are raised, and this is done in addition to the average annual yield per cow of 300 pounds of butter. At first they are fed exclusively on new milk, but gradually skimmed milk is added and the new milk diminished, until, at the end of three or four weeks, nothing but skimmed milk is fed, To make up for the loss of cream, a little dry oil-meal is given them daily to lick. They are all shut up together on a floor 24x36 feet, which has been littered with the cobs from 500 or 600 bushels of corn, On these they caper and lie, the cobs absorbing all droppings, and the action of the calves keeping the cobs stirred up and clean. On these they are kept out of storm and sun until the room is wanted for storing hay. Then they are turned out to grass, but are given their sour-milk rations until about the 1st of October. After this the sour- milk, not wanted for the few pigs intended for the family pork, is given to the cows. The horses, all summer long, receive regularly a ration of buttermilk, which they appear to relish exceedingly. Care is taken that young animals shall continue in a healthy, thriving condition, but are not per- mitted to become excessively fat, lest they acquire a tendency to put on fat rather than expend their energies in filling the milk pail. By inbreeding and this care the cows are all remarkably uniform
172 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
in their milk-producing qualities, both as to quantity and richness. Mr. Cole says this uniformity extends to the raising of the cream, and the time required to churn it—one cow’s milk being as like another’s as one-half of a mess is like the other half. So completely does all the butter come at the same time, that he has tried in vain to get an additional yield of butter by churning the buttermilk. The separation appears to be complete at the end of the first churning.”
The main point which we wish to mention in the practice of Mr. Cole, is the one of allowing the calves to bed on corn cobs. The idea is a good one, and if put in general practice among Western farmers would soon do away with the unhealthy odors too frequently found in the calf-pen. His practice of feeding back to the cows, the surplus skim product from the dairy, is rapidly growing in favor and is giving excellent results.
Shorthorns. “CENTRE GRoveE Farm, Durant, Iowa, July 28th, 1888.
“We are breeding Shorthorns for both milk and beef, so our methods may differ from those who breed exclusively for beef or exclusively for milk. Every breed has its office, and we believe the milking Shorthorn must fill a large demand made by the general farmer who wants a good milch cow that will raise a good, easy-keeping, early maturing steer. To fill this now rapidly increasing demand, we are breeding and feeding the noble ‘Red, White and Roan,’ and the following are our methods:
“We keep our bulls in a separate pasture by themselves, where, if possible, no cows will be near them. Mature bulls will keep in good order on grass alone; growing bulls get a light ration of oats and bran twice a day. The breeding bulls get lots of exercise,even in winter, when they are turned out in tight yards on fine days. Ours are now tied in stalls at night, but we think running loose in box stalls would be preferable.
“ Heifers, cows and calves are run in separate pastures as much as possible. Pastures are of mixed grasses, blue grass predominating, Water and plenty of shade complete the outfit, and for eight months of the year the cow is content. Green fodder, however, is sometimes given during August; this is relished as achange. Pumpkins are also thrown to them during this dry time. Rock salt in each pasture, affords them a sure supply of that necessity.
“Cows are mated at the first ‘heat’ after the calf is dropped, unless in thin flesh, when more time is given. The first heat is surest to ‘hold’ Heifers are bred at from 18 to 28 months, according to size and flesh. If getting too fat, we breed them younger, as excessive fat in a heifer is liable to produce barrenness. We try to prevent calves coming in July, August, January and February.
“Pregnant cows are handled much the same as the other cows. The calf should be weaned when its dam is five or six months pregnant, and the cow should be milked awhile and then dried off. ‘The remaining three months of rest, should enable the cow to put on flesh, and gain strength for the coming calf. If necessary, such cows are fed extra to produce this condition. We expect the calf on or about the 280th day, but watch closely from the 270th day. If on grass, keeping confined on light, loose food (bran and oil-meal, &c.) for a week or more before and after calving, to prevent milk- fever, and to be present at parturition and save the calf. Great care is exercised to prevent pregnant cows from being chased by dogs, gored by other cattle, wading through deep mud, or eating mouldy or ergotized fodder. Some times feed a little flaxseed about the 270th day, to help her ‘clean’ well.
“When a cow begins to show signs of calving, the attendant stays near until all is safe, usually in the box stall with her. Some say that the cow prefers to be alone, but I think our cows like to have me there; they know I am there to help them. If the cow seems to need help, I pull down on the feet of the calf when she strains. As soon as the calf is delivered, I leave cow and calf alone for atime, then feed her bran mashes (warm) and give tepid water. The cow is then milked three times a day for a few days, and twice a day for a few weeks (or months) till the calf can take all and not physic him.
“Tf the calf sucks and his bowels move once during the first six hours, he is fairly started on the road to market. We allow him to stay in a stall with his dam for a few days, and after that they are
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE, 17
together only at night. During the day time, he plays with his mates, and early learns to eat oats which are placed within his reach. This feeding is continued during the first year, and sometimes the second winter also. Calves run in separate lot during the day, and after the cows have been partly milked, the calves are put with them.
“Ata very early age (two to four months), the bull calves are taken from among the heifers and placed in another lot. They are all weaned at from six to twelve months according to the con- dition of the calf and cow, and the state of succeeding pregnancy. After the first year, we expect them to keep in good condition on grass alone; many will be ready for market at any time.
“Our grain ration for young stock bulls and suckling cows is three parts of oats, three of bran, three of corn and one of oil meal. This is varied very much, however, to suit the animal and the season. We very seldom feed corn alone; often feed oats alone. Raise a few wurtzels to feed in winter asa change. Some corn fodder is cut in early September and fed, ears and all during cold snaps, besides the regular hay diet of stock cattle. Fine blue grass pastures are allowed to grow dur- ing the fall months, affording much nutritious food for stock during the warm winter days when there is no snow.
“Such are about the methods now in use at Centre Grove Farm. Of course, something is learned each year to cause us to make some slight changes. When changes are made, however, we hope they are for the better. C. W. Norton & Son, fer Oak.
We should like to make a great many comments—mostly favorable—on the above, but space forbids mention of more than the main points suggested by the out- line given. Our friend “ Oak ” is right—there is no doubt that the cows like to have him around at the “ labor” period; kindness to the brute creation is never thrown away, and cows brought up under such careful treatment as that pursued at Centre Grove Farm, always crave and appreciate the attention given. The practice of sep- arating the bull calves from the heifers at an early age, should be emphasized—and the hints on breeding cows and heifers will bear reading twice. If they are breeding for both milk and beef as noted, it is presumed that the calves are not allowed to do all the milking
and at irregular intervals, although it is not so stated—otherwise we should think the tendency would be more toward beef.
Another point we may notice briefly is the practice of keeping the bull entirely away from the cows except at time of immediate service. There is no doubt that if mental condition at time of coupling has any effect on the offspring—that effect will be more strongly marked by such practice. We have tried both plans, and, while many are in favor of permitting the cows and bull to run at farthest in adjoining pastures, we believe—if separated at all—the separation should be complete. The only question that can be raised is one of disposition; it has been stated that bulls kept in sight of cows will be more easily managed; but in our own experience the reverse has been true, and we are pretty well satisfied that to keep a bull in good temper, he must either run with the cows and be handled with them, or be kept entirely separate except at time of service.
Flolstein-Friesians.
“WesTBURG FARM, JESUP, Iowa, Aug. 29th, 1888. * * * *
“ As to age of breeding, my practice at the outset was to breed so that each heifer would have her first calf at or near the age of three years. My own observations, and the milk records I have taken for five years, have not yet been sufficiently numerous to enable me to decide definitely. As to diminishing size by early breeding, I can only say that I have heifers which calved at two and two and one-quarter years, as large as those that calved at three and three and one-quarter years. As to
174 HINTS ON THE SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF CATTLE.
milk flow, I am inclined to think early breeding is preferable. I prefer to breed as nearly as possible in December, January and February; just as good (if not better) calves can be raised in a warm barn through the winter, as in summer. Milk being worth more in November, December, January and February, I find it more profitable to have them come at this time; in summer, milk is worth 45 to 60 cents per 100 lbs., and in winter 85 cents to $1.10 per 100 Ibs. I avoid having cows come in during warm weather, as I think them more liable to have parturient apoplexy.
“T have practiced various ways of rearing calves; have seen little or no difference in size and constitution between feeding calves the fresh milk three times per day until they are six weeks old and in allowing them to suck the cow to this time. My general practice is to allow them to suck at least seven or eight times. I have never taken a calf from the cow as soon as dropped. As far as milk flow and size are concerned, I am prepared to believe, that calves reared on sweet skim-milk and oats for a time after they are four to six weeks old, make just as good cows as those allowed fresh milk for six months. I think that calves allowed to suck the cow, for say five or six months, develop a habit of laying on fat and do not generally make as valuable cows for milk on that account.
“My practice, in summer feeding of cows, has been to give a small allowance of bran—say one to one and a-half lbs. at a feed—even while the pasture was good. It saves much of the labor in driv- ing from the pasture, aside from contributing to the volume of the manure; it saves also time and muscle necessary in driving them in the barn prior to milking. For winter feeding, I aim to mix 50 Ibs. of bran with 64 lbs. ground oats and 56 lbs. of ground corn. Of this mixture I approximate the needs of different cows; have fed as high as 24 lbs. per day to a cow weighing 1200 lbs., and giving 65 to 67 lbs. milk per day; have fed five to six lbs. at a feed to cows giving 30 to 35 lbs. per day. Have practiced mixing this ground feed on a small allowance of wet cut hay, and am confident, from the appearance of the excrement, that a great benefit resulted from this practice.
“T think that, as a general thing, twice a day is sufficient for milking. I have milked several cows that gave large messes three times a day, for at least one month after calving, and afterwards twice a day. Larger milk records can be made, of course, by milking three times a day throughout the year. A fresh cow, especially, should be milked quite regularly, while a cow that has given milk six months will not be affected very much by a little delay in milking. I aim to milk all cows regularly: When at the height of their flow in summer, I think they ought to be milked about 5 a. mM. and 4:30 p.m. A heavy milker usually secretes the most milk from morning to night.
“J have practiced selling milk to creameries by the 100 lbs., receiving back, at different times, the set skim and the separated skim-milk; have also set the milk at home in ice water, at 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, for 12 hours, and sold the unsalted butter. As to separated skim-milk from creameries, that require the milk hauled but once a day, I have decided to my satisfaction that it is much less profitable than set skim-milk, either 36 hours or 12 hours old-—just the relative difference I am not aware has ever been settled. Calves fed on separated skim-milk, reared in this vicinity, are certainly not so thrifty and large as those raised a few years ago on set skim-milk.
“There is very great difference of opinion among men as to keeping cows in the barn during winter. My practice is to keep them in during all snow storms and blizzards, and all days when the thermometer is at zero or below. I turn them out two or three times a day for water, and as soon as they are through drinking put them back—cleaning out the stables while they are in. The tempera- ture should be above 32 degrees Fahrenheit, when the cattle are in the barn.
Truly yours, Ja Ne MiuNenyer
Mr. Muncey is one of our careful, accurate breeders, well qualified by taste and an extended education to solve some of the actual problems of the day. The point he mentions (difference in feeding value between “set-skim”—the skim-milk left when cream is removed, after setting milk away for a number of hours—and “ separ- ated skim-milk”—the product from centrifugal cream separators) is one of consider- able interest. In the South, especially, the centrifugal process is of peculiar value, saving ice,—a costly commodity,—by reason of greatly decreased bulk in handling; and if, as Mr. Muncey suggests, the skim product from the machine is inferior to that from set milk, some way must be found to remedy the defect.
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176 MERINOS.
CHAPTER XLIII.
MERINOS.
Youatt supposes the Merino sheep a derivation from the old Tarentine breed of Italy. In his book—* Youatt on Sheep”—he says:
“They were the Tarentine breed already described, and which had gradually spread from the coast of Syria and the Black Sea, and have now reached the western extremity of Europe. Many of them mingled with and improved the native breeds of Spain, while others continued to exist as a distinct race; and meeting with a climate and herbage suited to them retained their original character and value and were the progenitors of the Merinos of the present day.”
Low (1842) says:
“Upon the whole, although authentic documents on the subject are wanting, there is presump- tion that the sheep of Africa were employed to perfect the sheep of Spain with respect to the pro- duction of wool. The Merinos exhibit certain characters which seem to show them to have been derived from some country warmer than that in which they were naturalized, and it was during the dominion of the African possessors of the country that the wool of Spain arrived at its greatest ex- cellence.”
Stewart in his valuable work, “ The Shepherd’s Manual,” says:
“ The Spanish Merino existed as a distinct race 2000 years ago, and the fine robes of the Roman Emperors were made from the wool of Spanish flocks. There is no history or tradition as to their origin, which can be accepted as reasonable by any practical shepherd. It is probable, however, that the fine-wooled sheep, which we read of in the ancient histories, were rather: the natural product of very favorable conditions of soil and climate, by which inferior races were greatly improved, than of any direct efforts to breed them up to a desired standard.”
That the Tarentine sheep were taken to Spain at a very early day, is proven by the early writers; but there is little doubt that Spain received, at the same time, acces- sions of African blood from the fine-wooled flocks of the Barbary States on the other side of the Mediterranean.
Columella (an ancient rural economist and author of “ De Re Rustica”—a copious treatise on agriculture, in twelve parts—who flourished about A. D. 20 to 40) informs us that his uncle (of the same name) took with him from Italy to Spain a consid- erable number of the Tarentine sheep; and that he also secured some African rams of singular beauty which had been exhibited at Rome.
Pliny the younger refers to the “red fleece of Boetica”—an ancient district of Spain—in terms of the highest praise, but as the sheep of this district have always retained the “red fleece” of which he speaks, and, as they have always differed—and still differ materially from the Merino breed, it is hardly probable that these sheep—sup- posed to be of Grecian nativity—had any important place in the immediate origin of the Merino.
To the American breeder a close, accurate account of the precise origin of Merino sheep would be of considerable interest; but, unless some, as yet unfound, history may be discovered, the precise origin of the Merino will remain a matter of deduction
MERINOS. li}
from circumstantial evidence. The Merino is certainly the oldest of surviving breeds, and as its authentic history is almost co-existent with the history of Spain we may for all practical purposes, and without further question as to its remote origin, regard it as a creation of Spanish breeders, who used the finest sheep of Italy and Africa, and were further assisted in improving the then native flocks by the natural adaptation of Spanish soil and climate to the rearing of fine-wooled sheep.
When the flocks of Spain first came to be in great demand, there were found, then as now, two classes, known respectively as “estantes,” or stationary, and “¢rans-
humantes,”
or migratory. The stationary flocks are those which remain in a certain district during the year; while the migratory class, on aecount of scarcity in food or water, make bi-yearly journeys in search.of fresh pasture.
From the latter class—generally superior—most of the shipments to other coun- tries have been made.
The French Merino originated from an importation of about 400 head of sheep, selected from the finest flocks of Spain, in 1786. A few had been imported to France nearly a century before this date by Jean Baptiste Colbert, Minister of Finance to Louis XIV, but they were not appreciated and were soon lost sight of.
The importation of 400 head, mentioned above, was made by the French Gov- ernment during the reign of Louis XVI, and most of the sheep were placed on the Royal Farm at Rambouillet, where their improvement was carried on with consider- able success; it was from this circumstance that they derived the name “ Rambouillet” sheep, by which they have been commonly known. The Merinos under French management increased in size and weight of fleece, but lost, to a great degree, the hardiness of their Spanish parents. and carried a much smaller
The fleece was fine—fully equal to Spanish wool quantity of yolk: this character, in connection with their increased size, made them quite popular for a time in America; the small quantity of yolk rendered the fleece much less subject to loss of weight in washing, but the sheep were soon found to be too tender for American conditions, and rapidly declined in favor.
The Saxon Merino originated from a flock of 800 Spanish Merinos, of the Escurial family, sent in 1765, by King Louis XV, to Saxony, in response to the request of his brother-in-law Prince Xavier. The Escurial family of Spanish Merinos had always been noted as bearing the finest wool of any in the Kingdom; and their Saxon breeders have carefully preserved ‘this, the only really valuable, feature of the breed. Saxon Merinos require great care and attention—being the least hardy of any of the modern Merinos—and, as they yield an average clip of not over two or three pounds, the higher price obtained for quality does not make up for the marked deficiency in weight of fleece.
The German or Silesian Merino is the only one (except the American) of the Spanish branches which may be called a success. It is the direct result of uniting the Infantado and Negretti families of Spanish Merinos, and is as purely Spanish in its nature as if really Spanish bred. The original importation to Silesia was made in 1811, by Ferdinand Fischer of Wirchenblatt. This gentleman selected in person 100 Infantado ewes and four Negretti rams, and so carefully did he preserve the purity of the breed, that the pedigree of every sheep since the foundation of the flock has been recorded, and no trace of outside blood can be found.
178 MERINOS.
Silesian Merinos from Mr. Fischer’s flock were first imported to the United States about 1850-60, by William Chamberlain of Duchess Co., New York, in all some 250 head, and have since obtained considerable favor. The wool is finer than that of the Spanish Merino, and the carcass little if any smaller. They mature slowly, but are said to be hardy and fairly prolific.
From this brief account of the Merino in other countries, we may pass to con- sider more in detail the modern families which have attained popularity on this side of the Atlantic.
THE AMERICAN MERINO.
The first importations of pure Spanish Merinos to the United States were soon lost sight of, through being mixed with other blood; but we give them in order, so far as possible, as being of interest to American breeders.
About 1791 four Spanish rams were shipped to the United States, and one of them was used in the vicinity of Wilmington, Delaware, until 1808. In 1793 Hon. William Foster of Boston, imported from Cadiz two Merino ewes and one ram; these sheep were presented to a friend, who, ignorant of their great value, killed and ate them. (Mr. Foster, it is said, afterwards caught this same unfortunate friend in the act of paying $1,000.00 for a Merino ram, no better than the one he had eaten.)
In 1802, however, the first importation of importance was made by Col. David Humphreys of Derby, Conn., then Minister to Spain; and from the flock then intro- duced the modern Atwoods, Dickinsons, and Black-Tops have sprung.
Concerning this importation we quote from Vol. I of the Atwood Register:
“Col. Humphreys made a contract with a gentleman to deliver one hundred Spanish Merino sheep at Lisbon. Ninety of these arrived at Derby, Conn., in the spring of 1802. In reference to this importation, Col. Humphreys says, in his miscellaneous papers: ‘Convinced as I was that this race of sheep, of which I believe not one has been brought to the United States until the importation by myself, might be introduced with great benefit to our country, I contracted with a person of most respectable character to deliver me at Lisbon one hundred, composed of twenty-five rams and seventy- five ewes, from one to two years old. They were conducted across the country of Portugal by three Spanish shepherds with proper passports, and escorted by a small guard of Portuguese soldiers. On the 10th of April they were embarked from the Tagus on board the ship Perseverance, of 250 tons, Caleb Coggeshall, Master. In about fifty days twenty-one rams and seventy ewes were landed at Derby, Conn., they having been shipped at New York on board a sloop destined to that river. The nine which died were principally killed in consequence of bruises received by the violent rolling of the vessel on the Banks of Newfoundland.’ ”
The second importation of importance—and the one which, by reason of its magnitude, has done most to stamp the character of American Merinos—was made in 1809-10, by William Jarvis of Vermont, then United States Consul at Lisbon.
Stewart (‘“*Shepherds’? Manual”), referring to the Jarvis importation, says:
“This consisted of 3850 sheep of the flocks of Paulars, Neggrettic, Aqueirres and Montarcos of Spain. These flocks, consisting of 50,000 head, had been, for political reasons, confiscated and sold by the Spanish Government, with other property of the four grandees who had owned them. Of the imported sheep, 1500 came to New York, 1000 to Boston, and the remainder to Philadelphia, Balti- more, Alexandria, Norfolk, Richmond, Portland, Wiccasset and Portsmouth. Another shipment of 2500 head followed in 1810, and were distributed between New York and Boston. These sheep were of the prime flocks of Spain, and Spain’s loss was our gain.”
From the importations made by these two gentlemen—Col. Humphreys and Mr.
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AMERICAN MERINO RAM, JOKER, 553.
(Mixed Atwood and Robinson blood.) Winner of 27 first prizes, and never beaten; weight of fleece 3834 lbs., the largest ever taken froma ram; property of L. E, Suattuck, Stanberry, Mo,
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180 MERINOS.
Jarvis—the American Merino, with its numerous subdivisions or families, has arisen. From the United States Merino Sheep Register we take the following authori- tative
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
“There must be a perfectly authenticated line of ancestry extending to one or more of the im- portations of Merino sheep from Spain, made prior to 1812, without admixture of any other blood. ~ The constitution is indicated by a heathful countenance; expanded nostril; short, strong neck; deep chest; round barrel; strong, short back; strong loin; heavy bone of fine texture; muscle fine and firm, and skin thick, soft and of a pink color.
“Under the term fleece must be included quantity, quality and condition of the wool, as shown by the weight of fleece, the length and strength of staple, crimp, fineness and trueness of fibre, even- ness throughout, freedom from gare, and the fluidity and amount of yolk.
“The term covering includes the extent and evenness of the fleece over the whole body, legs, belly, neck and head; the quality, lustre, crimp, density and length of wool, and the quantity and kind of oil or yolk. The shoulders should be well placed; back broad; quarters long and well filled up; head short; folds in the neck, elbow, flank, belly, thighs and tail.
“Rams at full growth, in breeding condition, should weigh 130 lbs. or upwards, and ewes about 100 Ibs. The head should be of medium size; muzzle clear; nose (or face) covered with short, glossy, furry hair; eyes bright and placid; forehead broad; ears soft, thick and set wide apart; ewes hornless; horns on the ram well turned (set not to closely to the head and neck, nor yet standing out too wide), and free from black or dark colored streaks. The neck should be short on top and long below; strongly set to the head and shoulders, becoming deeper toward the shoulders; folds heavier under- neath and extending up the sides of the neck, including heavy dewlap and apron. The legs should be short, straight, well spread apart, and bone heavy; hoofs clear in color, and well shaped. General appearance should be bold and vigorous with symmetrical form, and proper complexion of covering.”
The following Scale of Points, for American Merinos, should be used in connec- tion with above:
BO OGiS e.icitnays sesh ecco 20 Onward i.e. qccron crests 81 Constitution none ee eee Its} || ISIGEEl G5 once accasgobosDoodonopeS 6 BIE CE: sh. Sas-2 tree eee: 13),| NO Gk. 32.0 oe tecie ed fies sparse eee eae 5 Covering: 1. ager eee Ree eee 13 | Legs and Feet........:...... 5-25. 1 old ee ee On Goma cac Fane ean ON GeneralpAppearancee ae iee eite a Size’ V2.3). >See 8 | —
— Perfection... «2. shec.sceene 100
Forwandmesormicntnrrniiaes $1
In the South, the Merinos are better known than any other breed of sheep; the fact of their continued breeding for centuries in the hot, dry climate of Spain, and the further fact—or perhaps we should say supposition—of a remote ancestry from the still warmer latitude of northern Africa, has fitted them especially for the warm, dry, elevated regions of the Southwest. It must be borne in mind, however, that the Merinos do not come in conflict, in any particular, with the heavier sheep of the Down and Long-wool tribes. The mission of the Merino is to furnish wool, and that, too, of the finest quality; and for this purpose he stands, admittedly, without a rival.
Of the more prominent strains of Merinos, now known in the United States, we have thought best to give a short account, in order named, of the Atwoods, Paulars, Dickinsons, Black-Tops and Delaines. It will be remembered that we are not writing from the standpoint of a biased or partisan breeder: our statements are intended to do
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AMERICAN MERINO EWE, WRINKLY QUEEN.
(Mixed Atwood and Robinson blood.) Winner of more first class prizes than any other sheep living; has produced four fleeces in public that averaged 28 lbs. each; property of L. E. SHarruck, Stanberry, Mo,
182 MERINOS.
simple justice to each, and if we fail in this the blame cannot, at least, be imputed to any malicious purpose on the part of the Author.
The Atwoods.
The origin of the Atwood family may be given, in brief, by the following quota- tion from Rules of Entry to the Register of the Vermont Atwood Merino wheep Club:
“ Descendants of sheep purchased from Stephen Atwood, or vouched for by him as pure descen- dants of the Humphrey’s importation, and no other may be entered in the Register on proving either ancestral purchase from Stephen Atwood, or their direct descent through the importations of W.S. and Edwin Hammond, R. P. Hall, W. R. Sanford, and C. B. Cook from his flock, to the satis- faction of the Executive Board.”
The flock of Stephen Atwood was founded in 1813, when he purchased of John Riggs a six-year-old ewe, raised by Col. Humphreys, out of one of his imported ewes. Mr. Atwood’s account of his sheep—and which is attested by reliable gentlemen who were familiar with them—is given as follows in the Atwood Register:
“] bred the Riggs ewe and her progeny to rams I knew to be of pure Humphreys blood, till 1819,” and at that time he states: “I bought from the Leman Stone flock, that he raised from Col.
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Humphreys’ flock, five ewe lambs that I selected; and with these five lambs and the ewe I bought first, I have raised my flock of sheep.”
While Mr. Atwood was fortunate enough to preserve the blood in its original purity, to Edwin Hammond belongs the credit for most of the great improvement which the Atwood sheep have undergone. Mr. Hammond was born in Middlebury,
MERINOS. 183
Vermont, May 20th, 1801, and lived within a short distance of his birthplace until his death, Dec. 31st, 1870. He was a man of excellent judgment, and is placed by some on an equal footing with Bakewell (of Leicester fame) as an improver of sheep. The Hammond sheep are directly descended from the flocks of Stephen Atwood, and thus it happens that on proof of Hammond breeding, the purity of blood is at once accepted, and the animal admitted to record.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
No authoritative scale of points or standard description has been adopted by the club, but the following points may be stated in brief, as distinctive of the Atwood sheep: They are large, round bodied and strong boned; very heavy shearers—a clip of 24 or 25 pounds for rams being not uncommon; the fleece is very dense, and although abundantly supplied with a liquid yolk (natural oil) it exhibits little tendency to crust externally: when parted, the wavy crimps of the wool may be seen to the very tips of the fibre, and the coloring is a rich buff tint—one of the points for which Mr. Hammond bred in particular. The skin, as will be seen from the illustration, is strongly marked by folds (“wrinkly”) at both neck and rump—a peculiarity even more strongly marked in the next family—(Paulars). The sheep are hardy, and the rams have been extensively used for grading up the mixed flocks of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
The Paulars.
Concerning the history of the Paular Merino family, and its present status, as compared with the other recognized strains, we have thought best to give—without comment—the views of the acknowledged leader among Paular breeders in America, Mr. Jno. P. Ray, Hemlock Lake, N. Y. We have decided upon this course for sey- eral reasons, chief among which stands the fact that Mr. Ray is known to be a careful breeder, and, although undoubtedly somewhat partisan in his views, a thorough student of all literature bearing upon the history of sheep.
Replying to our request, he writes as follows:
“Probably the most noted of all the Spanish flocks were the Paulars, Infantados, Escurials, Guadaloupes, Negrettis, Montarcos and Aquierres. We have no authentic history to show how marked and well defined were the differences that existed between these families; there is a general belief among sheep men, that the Escurials were the finest fleeced of all the Spanish flocks; the Negrettis, the wrinkliest, and the Paulars, the hardiest, best formed and heaviest folded in the neck. oe * * * Col. David Humphreys [see Atwoods] left no records benind to show from what flock or flocks he obtained his sheep; Consul Jarvis, who went to Spain soon after, made a great effort to learn this fact but without success. Stephen Atwood, the distinguished Connecticut breeder who lived near Col. Humphreys, wrote Gen. Otto F. Marshal, Wheeler, N. Y., in 1884 that Col. Humphreys’ sheep were of the Paular breed. That Edwin Hammond, the great improver of Merino sheep (Atwoods), was of the same opinion, the following certificates witness:
«“¢MIDDLEBURY, Vt., September 23d, 1847.
“This may certify that I have this day sold to D. P. Pond of Cornwall, State aforesaid, six full- blood Merino ewes—four of them being of the age of one year, and one of them bearing the age of two years. Said sheep are of the Paular breed, a part of them being purchased by myself and R. P. Hall of Stephen Atwood of Connecticut, and the other portions of said sheep were raised by me and are precisely the same in pedigree as those purchased of Mr. Atwood. As I bred them pure from said Atwood sheep, I will here insert a certificate which I obtained of Mr. Atwood and reads as follows:
184 MERINOS.
“«Wooppury, Litchfield, Co., Conn., Jan. 27th, 1844. “«This may certify that Edwin Hammond and R. P. Hall of Addison Co., State of Vermont, have this day purchased of me three full-blood Merino bucks and of me and others, 27 full-blood Merino ewes, descendants from my flock of the Paular breed, which originated from the celebrated flock imported by Col. Humphreys of Derby, New Haven County, State of Connecticut.
(Signed by Stephen Atwood.) ‘EpwIn HAMMOND.’
“(These certificates were published in the Country Gentleman of Aug 24th, 1865; the original, given by Mr. Hammond, was carried to the Country Gentleman office by a deputation of Vermont breeders of whom the venerable S. S. Rockwell, West Cornwall, was chairman.)
“OTHER PAULAR BLoop.—Consul Jarvis, hitherto mentioned, sent out from Spain 1400 sheep of this breed. His flock which he established at Wethersfield, Vermont, and bred in separate and distinct blood lines for several years and subsequently mixed all together in breeding, was originally composed of about one-half Paulars, one quarter Aquierres, and the other fourth Escurials, Negrettis, and Montarcos.
“Andrew Cocks, Flushing, Long Island, purchased 800 head of sheep from the different cargoes
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PURE-BRED PAULAR MERINO RAM. Property of Jno. P. Ray, Hemlock Lake, N. Y.
sent in, and history and tradition sustain the fact that his purchases consisted of Paulars which he selected with great care. He bred the flock pure down to 1823, when it was sold to Jehiel Beedle, on account of Leonard Beedle and Hon. Charles Rich of Shoreham, Vermont. At the time of the sale to the Vermont parties, it is claimed that some of the imported sheep were still in the flock, and carried the original Spanish ear-marks. It would occupy too much space to reproduce the certificates given by Effingham Lawrence, John T. Rich, F. H. Jennison, Charles A. Hurlbut, Jaspar Barnum and Levi Rockwood, all going to show that the Cocks flock were of the Paular family, and were certified to be such in the Bill of Sale given by Cocks to Beedle. We refer the reader to Moore’s Rural New Yorker of August 5th, 1865, where the certificates may be found.
“The Rich branch of the Cocks sheep was bred for several years in the Cocks blood-lines, then it was crossed to a ram bred by Consul Jarvis, and later still with the blood of Stephen Atwood’s
MERINOS. 185
flock. From this flock was descended the celebrated flock of V. Rich, Richville, Vt., and the flocks of the late Tyler Stickney and Erastus Robinson, Shoreham, Vt.—the blood of which is now widely dispersed throughout the country.
“ About 1840, David and German Cutting purchased about 80 ewes and 2 rams that were bred by, or descended from, the flocks of David Buffum, Rense Potter, David I. Bailey and Geo. Irish of Newport, Rhode Island. It is claimed that these sheep were descended from the importations of Paul Cuffe and Richard Crowineshield and were without doubt consignments of Consul Jarvis. Messrs. Cutting bred these sheep to rams of Robinson and Rich and Atwood blood, and wherever this blood has found its way it has been crossed without reference to maintaining the original Rhode Island strains—hence but a small fraction of that blood remains in the Cutting blood-lines wherever found.
“In 1844, Jacob N. Blakeslee of Watertown, Conn, wrote a letter for publication in the Cu/éz- vator, published at Albany, N. Y., in which he claimed his sheep to be of Negretti, Montarco and Escurial blood.
“Tt may be assumed that ourimproved American Merino flocks are, substantially, if not wholly, descended from the foregoing named blood-lines, with the Blakeslee blood, at most, in a very limited: degree. For more than 40 years a class of our breeders have claimed a family of sheep descended purely from the flocks of the Atwoods of Connecticut, and have claimed a distinction in title and breeding. In view of this circumstance, and the fact that all other pure-bred Merinos partake largely of the Paular blood, they have been very generally alluded toas ‘Improved Paulars,’ ‘ Mixed Paulars,’” and ‘American Paulars,’ which last name or title, I hope, will be generally adopted.
“The most successful breeders of these sheep have aimed to secure type and quality in their flocks, and have placed this above any special line of descent from importation, or from any one of the earlier flocks. In pursuing their course of breeding they have made use of the best specimens of* the breed, and as a rule have avoided too close in-and-in breeding, and have achieved results unat- tained elsewhere when measured by high, sure weight of carcass, or weight of fleece—either gross or scoured. The aim has been to produce a well formed and symmetrical animal, of constitutional: vigor, carrying a dense, oily fleece of good quality throughout. Folds or wrinkles have been culti- vated in a marked degree, and an amount of oil secured in the fleece that many have thought to be- extravagant in the extreme; yet sheep of this class have made great improvement on the common wool-growing flocks—the wrinkles contributing toward density of fleece and covering, and the oil! proving interchangeable with wool product.
“The accompanying Scale of Points will enable one to understand the points of excellence: esteemed by breeders. A ram takes standard rank by making a score of 75 points, and a record at public shearing of 25 lbs. fleece and 110 lbs. carcass.
“SCALE OF POINTS FOR STOCK RAM:
BETES OLE oteteyeverereteteyeetetatete rete bet atarepol shetastete eYelaretePa(ctntoloveraya(eraraiorerststwratetcceles fnie> atsiaVajo\s\ejaloteroia/aiearsiateis S Physicalidevelopment and! generallappearanGe les ales cie.clelereielelelele, sluln'e/lclsielsia(elelel ceils) cie.cicinie s = 10° Head broad, nose wrinkly and face covered with soft velvety coat................2.004- 5 Neck, short, broad, muscular, well set on shoulders...............5 AC Arable aac akties 5 Shoulder jmassiv.eas tordepthyandibreadtbiewieieleo sci cicie eiclelevolistoteic\eicls © ce el eicleilcolaei else wile ele 5 Bae kplevelsatraly Dt — US seOLUendG letat afayeteliofetovaiicielai=ferevcrolelatetsvofonoteye atclose\©! a!siclsie\ele/ai<!e/s/a tela{sisiele 5 ELI SOLO Aan Gal OU OMe tetetetel tekenetefetetetel fateveletel of steteleyolofetolelakeolivicietere'e/ers evel slereleraieteie ticle ie\araie > Hore-lepsustralehtywellise tia pan trertoberetersrsfarelotaileieie)a\ aretove's/e]e¥alefalelaivaeic\elel e/e 'a}elo\e}al=\isre/*iaietelelereie 3 Hind-legs, straight and set so as to give a perpendicular appearance to hind parts........ 5 IDEN Sova He CYC! TEINS a anc Goo0 decor cud bed daDgU J uo Au Danone bu adooCODaBsoU Sonos 2 Wolonobnose years andunoOLss PUemwELILe ratataterlata cla) s)etolos«i<)lenefetevaerete len <iale oferereteictels\leielereielerete 5 Wives on wae R INSANE jNONSIGTNS Goo coon God bogs ddd Jo0D 900d desbded0O ds 7.c0d0 Seue 5 Wrinkles across arm and point of shoulder on side and running well under ............ 5 Darl up etol denanicetlarikgereretverstetartet austen ererpen stove) ofaio1s% \cacte.c/aic ius) ai-tcaaunte elobelsa erie reactors ste 5 DORA Ose OM MEAN Boog ondcdd pooces bdon peMBNbOoagOoCb OO CGed soos Ac eenngoodoune 3
© GA UF SHINS sponGoce doous fh babboe COSHEGCUBbOUMNUgC nun CoCoCdECK SounoCcOOe 3
186 MERINOS.
Ua SRR AS SEO In LOST ao puto oo otis CD DODMOROEsae 76 Wensifyoh HeeceOny Side’ «eye 6: ceeie ereletoleleiermiaee teats ep aes ee eeseteen telstra ec terete 3 Es xe cc hip and extendinpeto ntl ara Kaersrcyertatetstetetepenateter-toleteteeersiteteteteledace fete) kre tet matey « “ Uae nls Aen omAMnode ascosod cath osKhogde déDDwaNUGODS Dona HOOsIDOs db 3 (Grown of head) or capi... tis one peel eemicce a ete ee etl ete eee eer icteleh er 3 (G2) Sa REPORTS Shr OGOU DE 5 eoadOOb oH OU add DObO.LESods coboSoondOuD 2 Mio) Co Fag HAG BOGOO TE OO) OOGO Saon nnn aoK Gon Gobo oans osgososebnouaD GaoDoS 2 FWe wt) RO NA GOGO SOOT AOTC OOOOH OA COOagSA OOGO DALE ODDO Dodd ood aN UU dasO Cun ED 2 Ol {ry tet =e a ah tele A (eaHen om OMmOOnOD ood s0 SOnnICo doonds boa Ga AGU OOePo oUO oop oosouNs qoudes 2 Insidé: Of flank: cece ewe -poreeeieeoiels atcleiereielss isnaacleicl ciseaeenseieeere meee 3 Connection*betweenitasywooltand: belllivaerretessicy-tetertelaletelotatstelettaelsyetstetatetereteretteteiers 1
Fibre to indicate, as ‘fine,’ ‘medium’ and ‘coarse.’ Oil, as ‘buff’ and ‘ white.’ —
Perfection tars nerietelemlere ie telelogucetatelsiaieue iets vee ei eemtaciskaseece terior 100” The illustration represents the ram “Prince Bismark,” a famous prize winner of the Paular family, that was never beaten in the show ring. In full fleece he weighed 200 lbs., and yielded a fleece, of one year’s growth, of 35 lbs. 914 oz.
The Dickinsons:
Concerning the origin of this strain of Merino blood, we may say: Mr. Thos. Rotch purchased from Col. Humphreys (Derby, Connecticut) some of the latter’s pure-bred Spanish Merinos, imported in 1802, and took them to Stark County, Ohio, about the year 1810. W. R. Dickinson—from whom the family takes its name— lived at Steubenville, Ohio, but had large landed possessions in Stark County, and soon secured the entire flock of pure-bred Merinos as his own. The sheep were bred with scrupulous care as to purity of blood, and under Mr. Dickinson’s skillful manage- ment soon reached a high state of improvement. After the death of Mr. Dickinson (1831) Adam Heldenbrand became the owner of all the pure-bred Humphreys sheep which Mr. Dickinson had bred, and from him was secured the nucleus which formed the flock of James McDowell.
As we shall mention under the next topic an apparent conflict of statements between breeders of Dickinsons and Black Tops, it may be well to make the follow- ing extract from a published letter, written by James McDowell in 1884, in which Dickinson breeders find their authority to deny a Humphreys origin for the Black Top sheep; the last statement is the one referred to:
“W. R. Dickinson, of Steubenville, Jefferson Co., O., in the early part of this century, com- menced the breeding of a small flock of pure Merino sheep that were imported from Spain in the year 1802, by Col. David Humphreys of Derby, New Haven County, Connecticut. These he secured through the agency of Thomas Rotch, an eminent and enterprising citizen of Connecticut, who migrated from that State to Stark County, O., in the early part of this century, bringing with him the first large flock of Spanish Merinos into Ohio.
“These sheep were bought direct of Col. Humphreys, which was learned by my personal acquaintance with Mr. Dickinson, Thomas Rotch and his shepherd, John Hall, who brought the sheep from Connecticut to Ohio.
“The sheep which Mr. Dickinson secured were kept at Steubenville, O., for a few years, and were the origin of his entirely pure-bred Merinos, descended directly from sheep imported by Col. Humphreys from Spain in 1802.
“These were distinctly marked, and separately kept. Mr. Dickinson stated in the latter years of his life that he never sold any of the ewes descended from his own pure-bred flock, his sales being of
ewes purchased throughout the country—a grade of well-bred Merino flocks or those descended therefrom, in which he dealt extensively.”
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188 MERINOS,
Dickinson Merinos, eligible to entry in the Dickinson Merino Sheep Record, must trace their descent to the standard bred flock of James McDowell, Canton, Stark Co., Ohio (without admixture of impure blood ), which flock, as we have already men- tioned, was directly descended from the Humphreys importation of 1802, through the
famous flock of W. R. Dickinson. The following, adopted by the Association, may be accepted as a standard
DESCRIPTION:
“ Body deep, round, wide and long, showing mutton capacity, good feeding and thriving qualities, heavy, thick flesh, straight under and top lines, well proportioned, filling every part of its skin when fully matured. Skin thick, soft, not raised in corrugations, pink red. Head small, carried high. Quiet, placid eye. Nose white, not mottled, covered with fine soft white hair, wide and slightly arched. Ears short, thick, covered with fine, glossy hair. Horns small, neatly curved, light yellow color;. better without any horns. Neck short, arched in under and on top, the base very strong. Shoulders wide, deep, rounded, breast bone projecting forward of front limb. Back straight, wide, ribs extending out horizontal from spinal column, rounding in line with shoulders, extending close back to hips. Loins strong, wide. Hips wide, long. Thighs wide, thick flesh extending close down to hock joints. Limbs short, bone heavy, joints smooth and flat, the contour of, to show perpendicular lines from elbow and stifle joints to center of hoofs, and from base of tail to center of a straight Jine drawn horizontally from caps of hock joints, when standing erect on limbs. Hoofs deep, thin, white; texture tough and elastic. Fleece smooth, even, dense, soft to the touch. Staple three to five inches, fibres. glossy, crimped. Quality XX, XXX or above, fine. Quantity, Rams 15 to 25 lbs., ewes 10 to 15 Ibs.,. unwashed wool, covering entire body with even length and grade, except parts injuring thrift and comfort of sheep, entirely free from gum and hair. Oil very fluid, white or nearly so, enough to preserve the wool and rising to outer ends of fibres. Size of full grown rams 200 lbs., and ewes 150 Ibs. Internal organs strong. Mature early, 2% years.”
The following Scale of Points—also adopted by the Association—should be used in connection with above description:
Skint ied seers ruses ae wove sere eye 4 Forward iic.a site nie cversne neither 49 Plea dit cssreic tietina o iesaiel ei aievasete teres de roietore A TOO ES tec ea 4 INGOES nob bede00d95 suDocoeoCoNEaOSt 3 Smoothness of fleece.........0.-00 6 OF ee OCT oc ooo San aoate 3 Stapleinc ¢adac-ccae ott cee Ree 4 HLOrns) 5.6.50 ccs seis cies Hee eases 3 Qiiality. of /Heece.; 0. ..4. seen 6 Necks: :aidecien ames tacts sts 1 Quantity of feccenaaee eer neeee 6. Shoulders”. cc sisson. saree ayaa 5 GGrering sos sone ee ee 8 BEA Ganondgade0ce vdcGCOBoODDOOOOC 8 OUR Ack e cme eee ee ee 5 ILOiSGonosaoossooosmoHouasoOGOOOD 3. Size ‘of animal... oa,coeeec see 5 LIS sersyellevorterartensteterstersieKeciers hcneatore 3 Internal OTSaANss 5. doen cee Cee Oe 4 Thighs ©... 0+ eee ee eee eee eres 4. Matarity nasi sty eos eee 3 TS OOS raya, sinhas Seoteheseeeh tale toacelste cis Siero 5 =
oe Perfectiona a... s4.ce eee . 100:
Bor warden risks, css: snevenstenees 49
Dickinson Merinos are now favorably known in many parts of the United States. The Record Association was organized in May, 1884. Mr. H. G. McDowell, son of James McDowell, is the present active and efficient Secretary.
The Black Tops:
This family, if the claims of its breeders are correct, furnishes a good example of change wrought by slow, steady purpose in one direction—the Black-Top Merinos
9
MERINOS,
3red and owned by Jno. M. Berry, Eighty-four, Pa,
190 MERINOS.
being placed before the public as lineal descendants of the Dickinsons—just described
and through them of the original Humphreys importation in 1802. Referring to preceding topic, will be found the Dickinson breeders’ claim, that W. R. Dickinson never sold any of his Humphreys sheep. If this can be proven, it will leave the Black-Tops with a broken link in their chain of genealogy. We do not under- take to decide the case, but give both statements, and invite the reader to draw his own conclusions, or investigate further on his own responsibility.
Concerning the change, or, as the breeders of Black-Tops have it—improvement in these sheep of Dickinson descent, we may say: In 1821, Wm. Berry, of Washington County, Pa., purchased a choice ram and a number of ewes from W. R. Dickinson’s flock; and according to Vol. I of the Black-Top Register, Mr. Berry was assured and satisfied that these sheep were directly descended from the original Humphreys’ im- portation made in 1802. Without discussing this question further, it is certain that Mr. Berry strictly carried out his purpose to breed within the flock and make all improve- ment by selection and care. In 1847 he rented his farm and sold his flock to his two sons— William and Matthew—himself moving to Canonsburg, Pa., where he remained until his death, Dec. 26th, 1866. In the experience of both Mr. Berry and his sons, it was noticed that the sheep with darkest “tops” were the largest and made the best records in shearing. They also found that the darker sheep were more hardy, and better able to endure the rough winter weather of that latitude than were those of lighter cast. It is believed that Mr. Berry was the first to apply the name “ Black- Tops,” and that he did so to distinguish them from the light colored, delicate Saxon Merinos, which, for a time, were bred in the vicinity.
By permission of the Secretary, W. G. Berry, of Houstonville, Pa., we make the following authoritative extracts from Vol. I of the Black-Top Spanish Merino Sheep Register.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
“ Constitution, indicated by physical development; deep and large in the breast and through the heart; broad back: very heavy square quarters; skin of fine texture, and pinkish in color; expansive nostril; brilliant eye; healthful countenance; and good feeders.
“In good condition, with fleece of five months growth, full grown rams should weigh not less than 175 pounds, and ewes not less than 125 pounds.
“Head carried well up; standing squarely on feet and legs; well rounded body, showing in all points symmetry of form; body throughout heavy boned, well proportioned in length; smooth joints, ribs starting horizontally from the back bone, and well around to breast bone; breast bone, wide, strong and prominent in front; strong, straight, and heavy back bone; heavy, muscular quarters; shoulders broad and flat; muscles firm and heavy, and body entirely free from folds. There may be a slight throatiness, and a small dewlap—smaller on the ewes than on the rams.
“The head should be wide, with clear bright eyes and prominent ears. Ewes should give no appearance of horns, while upon the rams, the horns should be well developed, clear in color, and symmetrically curved.
“Neck very heavy, especially with the rams, deepening towards the shoulder, Legs medium in length, set well apart, with well shaped, medium sized feet. The body and legs to the knees, covered with medium or fine wool, extending well forward between the eyes. Fleece should be compact, but should open freely—showing a length (at twelve months growth) of not less than three inches, and the oil (yolk) must be white, flowing freely from skin to surface, and form on the exterior a uniform dark coating.”
MERINOS. 19t
The following standard Scale of Points should be used in connection with the above:
AE ONISULEU MOM iia eistateia scale aletelavei Ueivlejeieteorsa alex =) LO OMWAL rereintarcrersibicrmsvetsttyeisialalars!sleisisteis 64 SEB bo ob a oI a oLIGIon OC SOU GO GO CO OO dG 12° “Covering cs on cia wee eucrens seis] s/eiv ibe 8 Generaliappearance.. <.jqucug svelte oor Quality of fleece... ..cc cect eene ceeessers v OGY crrcrretsiaisis tetsices Meseeaesdeideristesig LOM m LICNBIEY) OL ECCEtouiian ela iinieisieleicans Dior bape Oe hats Lee ieereterertart tet adress ralere Ps arciaratrowcrs ctcrsvers Br Length) of'staplesic..5,. 00. ODO DCUIMDOOUOIG 8 INCGhscisitie's SPE OUaoo cq. ATED OGOOUTGRED One AE CLM leterasoh occ ave¥elstecafetel sfaisnadelererevatevssielsianenmeiy, stete 6 DGS S ANAHLES tere crcteranecde el sinter tel eine siete bales 10
a PerfechOon surance seivien atari 100” ROT WAT tateiats speisieatviere sisters oe 64
The Delaines:
The origin of this family is of recent date, and has grown out of a continued and steady demand for what is known as Dedaine wools. Just what constitutes De- laine wool is rather hard to define, but the process of manufacture requires combing instead of carding—the fibres being laid parallel with each other, and spun at full length in the yarn. To Mr. E. R. Mudge, of Boston, Mass.—now deceased—belongs most of the credit for founding this branch of textile industry, and to the breeders who aimed to supply the demand thus created we turn to find the origin of the Delaine Merino Sheep. It is claimed that no deep inbreeding has been practiced, and that the sheep are, therefore, free from all taint of weakness so frequently traced to incestuous breeding. On the other hand it is stated, that nothing but the purest Merino blood has ever been introduced, and to explain the seeming contradiction, we may say in brief, that the Delaine Merino has been produced by a careful system of crossing the pure Spanish with the American Black-Top Merino. The original Span- ish foundation for the Delaines was largely made up of sheep descended from an importation made in 1820, by Richard W. Meade—at that time Minister to Spain. These sheep were first stationed near Philadelphia, but were afterwards sent to Wash- ington County, Pa., where their choicest descendants have since been bred.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The fleece presents a uniformly smooth surface, dark on the outer end of wool, but a “black-top”
caused by excess or sticky character of yolk, and consequent clogging up with dirt to form an outer crust—is considered a great objection, The natural oil or yolk should be freely liquid, not gummy, showing an even white color, and rising to the top of the dense, fine covering. ‘The staple (fibre) is of good length, averaging from two and a-half to three inches in wool of one year’s growth, covering the body and legs to the knees. The animal is of good size, mature rams weighing about 150 pounds, and ewes about 100 pounds—with a vigorous constitu- tion and a carcass for mutton, which, in a fine wool sheep, is surprising. ‘To illustrate their mutton capacity, we clip the following from the issue of April, 1884, Matzonal Stockman, published at East Liberty, Pa.:
“ Among the sheep sold here this week, there was a car-load of fine wool wethers, something under three years old, averaging 114% pounds. They were of the Delaine Merino family, were
raised and fed by James McClelland, of Canonsburg, Pa., and brought seven cents per pound, a price which shows that they found high favor among the butchers.”
192
MERINOS.
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PURE-BRED DELAINE MERINOS.
Bred by J. C. McNary, Houstonville, Pa,
MERINOS—HORNED DORSETS. 193
The following Scale of Points, condensed from the National Delaine Merino Register, has been adopted by the Association, and is now in use by its members:
(Comeakiistoyn Som eg ancucueqHucaooDGoaC 10 OU W AL Gletteteieialeletolel siefatel« «sale d4 leaviverOund Meart - -tercilesiertelels tisk: (i) Jai: onesoo os coud MUD dOONOOUDaOOGE 10 INIGS s Soe receatee Orc G Oc COD ROME Ge Wenethrotestaplermarrtrleveroks tile) 8 Dewan meter were ry eckasteree a 5 Density of fleece... .05.......-...-- 8 ISLE ae marswo eto s b0..o Ah oon Ugo Si) Darkishrcast! onitopmtermiteere sii ier 5 [RUT OS ce aeemtOisenn Och OeGd cio OCC cacom tede Bb Opening: up white seem ele real 5) IAC ERSE cheetict oles tics Gus Dat 2-0 20-6 CsdIO OeOCO RC 6 Good flow of white oil.............. 5 I3Gh itech umn on bons.co0n do Omear 8 Good'crimp in staple.-.--..--..-.-. 5
Worl pconenoeoceoodner d4 IMGs NGaooadassoq0c5ne 100
The Delaines, as well as the Black-Tops and Dickinsons (see illustrations), are smooth, no folds, only a fulness at the throat being permitted. Their breeders make no pretense of “line-pure” descent from a single sheep or a single flock, but on the contrary, are rather proud of having secured in combination, the blood of the best (in their judgment) flocks in America and Spain.
CHAPTER XLIV.
HORNED DORSETS.
As far back as we have any record this breed of sheep has existed in the shire of Dorset, England. From the fact that the old Dorset resembled the old Spanish Merino, it has been thought that the former may have descended from the latter; the resemblance, however, was only in form and external appearance—the properties of the two breeds being entirely different. In this connection we quote Professor Low (1842):
« While the Merinos are bad nurses the Dorsets are the most productive of milk of any of our races of sheep. In the broad loins of this race, we have the same external character which, in the case of the cow, indicates the faculty of yielding abundant milk. The remarkable fecundity of these sheep has given rise to the supposition that they are derived from some warmer country where the females bring forth twice in the year. We have, however, no evidence of this fact, and may accord- ingly believe that the property is one which is due to situation, although the peculiar circumstances, whether of climate or food, which gave rise to it may escape our observation.”
The breed is not well known in America, but there are several breeders of con- siderable prominence, both in the United States and Canada; and, during the last five or six years, they have pushed forward the Dorsets with great success. We do not know of any Dorsets in the South, but see no reason why they would not prove of value, especially in the higher portions of the Texas “Panhandle” region. f
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, white; head fine, rather long, and supplied with horns in
“epeurg ‘orryuG ‘uoyTWePy AATTIA “A AONVIVA jo Ajs0dorg
ae
ED DORSETS.
N
2 a
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<p VE GALE ee
HWORNED DORSETS—CHEVIOTS, 195
both male and female; nose and lips, black. The shoulders are low but broad; chest deep with low brisket; back straight, and loins unusually broad and strong. The bone is light, and the legs rather long, but the general make up indicates good breeding and hardiness. In size they are above medium—fat two-year-old wethers reaching as bigh as 230 to 250 lbs., and mature breeding rams weighing 175 to 200 lbs. The fleece is short, of above medium fineness, and high-class flocks yield an average clip of six to eight pounds. The peculiar characteristics which distinguish the Dorsets from all other sheep are their early and prolific breeding, rapidity of fattening and early maturity. They surpass all other breeds in general fecundity—as a rule breeding twice a year, and frequently bearing twins and triplets. For the production of early market lambs no sheep can rival them, unless it be the cross-bred produce of South- down rams on Dorset ewes, which have been most popular with English breeders.
The illustration represents a group from Mr. Fuller’s excellent flock, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
CHAPTER XLV.
CHEVIOTS.
The Cheviot breed of sheep had its origin in the Cheviot hills or mountains, situated in the north of England and extending into Scotland. The hills are mostly conical, and are separated by very narrow valleys. On one side of the range of moun- tains lies the “heather” country, the home of the old Black Faced Heath Breed on the other is a rich cultivated tract.
This district, according to Low, “has produced from time immemorial a race of sheep entirely distinct in its characters from the wild heath breed of the elevated moors adjoining.”
There is a fanciful sort of tradition to the effect that at the time of the attempted invasion by the Spanish Armada (1588), and the consequent wreck of the formidable fleet upon the stormy British coast, some of the sheep, with which the ships were pro- vided, swam ashore and escaped to the Cheviot Hills where they have since bred and multiplied. '
Cheviot sheep have gradually extended over the entire mountainous portion of
and
Scotland; and, during the past century, have been greatly improved by a class of breeders second to none in the world.
They were imported to America about 1840, but have been in only a few locali- ties—mainly in the State of New York—and are still comparatively unknown.
We are not aware that any Cheviot sheep can be found in the Gulf States at present writing; nor is it probable that they will ever be extensively introduced.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, white—rarely tinted or speckled; the head is of good size, strictly hornless; face broad, and especially full at forehead; ears wide apart and
CHEVIOTS.
196
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Lif
“"WVY LOIASHS
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CHEVIOTS—SOUTHDOWNS. 197
of good size; eyes prominent and lively—all combining to make up a peculiarly intel- ligent, strong-featured expression, well suited to an independent mountain breed. The shoulders are rather light, as in all mountain breeds of sheep; but the body is long, deep, and remarkably well filled at the loin and quarters. The fleece is short and of medium fineness, and makes up the great bulk of the genuine Scotch tweeds and Cheviot cloths.
As compared with other breeds in respect to fleece they do not show to advan- tage, since their wool is too coarse for carding and too short for combing; and high- class flocks yield an annual clip of not over three to five pounds per head.
In size the Cheviots rank as medium; two year old wethers can be made to weigh 180 to 200 Ibs., and breeding rams at maturity should scale about 175 lbs. They fatten quickly on root-crops, after pasture, without grain. The ewes are good mothers, although not so prolific as some other breeds, and the lambs very hardy.
For western and northern ranges, especially those in the mountainous regions of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming, the Cheviot would prove an excellent breed.
The pure bloods are, perhaps, not so valuable, but they furnish an admirable basis for crossing with Cotswold and Leicester rams, increasing thereby, length of staple and size of carcass, while retaining the hardy mountain instincts of the Cheviot race.
CHAPTER XLVI.
SOUTHDOWNS.
The Southdown heads the list of middle-wool mutton sheep; both from its acknowledged superiority, and from the fact that nearly, if not quite, all of the other “Downs” are indebted to it for much of their present excellence. The breed takes its name from the slopes of the Chalk Hills of England, called “ Downs.”
Referring to this place of their origin, Professor Low (1842) says:
“The Scotch Downs of Sussex consist of a range of low chalky hills, are five or six miles in breadth, stretching along the coast upwards of sixty miles, and passing into the chalky lands of Hants on the west. In contact with this range of hills is a tract of low cultivated ground, which is usually connected with the Down farms, although many of the latter have no vale or flat land attached. The herbage of these hills is short, but well adapted for the keeping of sheep, of which vast numbers have, in every known period, occupied the pastures. Whilst the dryness of the air, the moderate elevation of the land, and consequent mildness of the climate, are all eminently favorable to the rearing of a race of Downs or mountain sheep, the contact of the cultivated country affords the means of supplying artificial food. It is this combination of fayorable circumstances which has rendered these calcareous hills capable of supporting a greater number of sheep than, perhaps, any tract of similar fertility in the country, and has afforded the means to the breeders of applying the resources of artificial feeding to their improvement.
“The original breed of the Sussex Downs was not superior to that of many other districts of the chalk formation; but the means of supplying the animal with artificial food, which the geograph- ical situation of this long and narrow chain of hills in contact with the richer country afforded, aided
198 SOUTHDOWNS.
the breeder in applying to the improvement of the race a system of breeding and feeding which has rendered the Southdown breed the most esteemed in the countries suited to it, of all the short-wooled sheep of England.”
From this it will be seen that the Southdown was a natural outgrowth of circum-
stances and really “native” to the locality from which it takes its name.
Improvement of the breed began about 1775-80, but received its greatest impulse about the beginning of the present century, since which time it has been constantly active and progressive.
To Mr. John Ellman of the Glynde farm near Lewis, in Sussexshire, is univer- sally accorded first place among the improvers of Southdowns.
He began about 1780 and devoted the remainder of his life—some 52 years—to careful, unselfish work in advancing his favorite breed of sheep.
While Mr. Bakewell was fully his equal in point of skill as a breeder, perhaps his superior, he was inclined to keep his methods closely concealed, incurring thereby a rather general disfavor. Mr. Ellman, on the other hand, freely communicated the results of his experiments, and showed himself to be entirely free from all illiberal prejudice. His aim was to produce a sheep which should combine the points most first, health and constitution; second, fixedness of type. He, therefore, did not in-breed so
desirable, in his judgment, for the locality in which he lived; and with him it was
closely as did Bakewell, but purchased freely from his contemporaries in order to infuse fresh blood and retain the vigor of his flock.
Since Mr. Ellman’s death (1832), there have been many careful breeders to carry forward the work, and keep up the popularity and excellence of the Southdown breed, among them Mr. Jonas Webb, of Suffolk, who may be called his immediate successor,
The Southdown, next to the Merino, is the most widely known of all the breeds of sheep at present in the United States; and in the Western and Middle States finds its greatest popularity.
In the South the Merino has the preference, but many Southdowns are being shipped in for use in grading up on flocks of Merino basis, and are reported to accli- mate readily and produce a desirable grade.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS;
Color of face and legs a uniform tint of brown, gray or mouse (formerly speckled faces were admitted, but later breeders aim to exclude all except the colors mentioned) ; head medium in size, hornless, forehead and cheeks well covered with wool; ears rather small, wide apart and lively; eyes bright and full; neck short, fine at head, but well set on to broad full shoulders. The chest is wide and deep; back and loin broad; ribs well arched; hips wide and close to floating ribs; thigh fleshed low down, and legs fine-boned, short, and wooled to knee and hock. The belly is straight and well covered with wool; general appearance smooth—with no trace of coarseness—spirited and attractive.
The fleece is white, compact, moderately long and close, and carrying some yolk. They are fair, not heavy, shearers—running some four to six or seven pounds per fleece in high-class flocks; but their mutton is unexcelled, and has always commanded the top of the English market.
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“SNMOGHLNOS
“qON ‘uo}surpany ‘xaTAuvyT
SOUTHDOWNS. 199
200 SOU THDOW NS—SHROPSHIRES.
The ewes are prolific, make excellent mothers, and their lambs are uniformly hardy and vigorous.
In size they are above medium—two year old fat wethers weighing as high as 200 to 225 Ibs., and mature breeding rams about 170 to 190 lbs.
Where a sheep is wanted to produce mutton as a prime object, with wool as a secondary, but if possible paying accompaniment, we know of no breed which more completely fills the requirements than this.
The following Scale of Points—to be used with description—for judging at fairs, is clipped from the American Southdown Record, Mr. S. E. Prather of Springfield, Ill., Secretary :
LBC Reenctigtroia ao oe OC ROO Oto Doc Om5aC 5 Horwardancaeasscc errr 47 Lips... - eee eee eee ee eee eee eee dS WHlipss2 <0 hac sea aee oceeee ee eee ore 6 Ears... . eee eee ee cece eee ee 2, MUhighs: c+ hase one Re eee 6 Eyes 20... eee ee eee eee ee eee eee eee BILE RS Sonanshicio’s Melee eer = eee 3 FE aCe a cvaererevsterarsele nee sl iey eaten 3 PPoreduegs.,..caceamnsaeee se seceeeee 9 ING coooonancosennoooboonatcceHS AP Hind Wyegs kecial scrote See eRe oe 2 Shouldersmeemmineieiscr reesei rere 6: “Bellygnkeaenice sae es ose eee 5 Breast ....-.+ +e e ee ee eee eee ee By AMISeCebt Nex cic eo So cee eee 12 Back and Loin.........--..-+++--- @. TRoriian os istic hes oo ee Se 9 IRALDS ereueesteroOR chal cts syetoie ee ssketerer rere 6 General appearance...........-..-+ 8 IRGTID) 550 Ga DDO OOOoMoBODOCBODOCEE 6 =
= Rerfectionie cece 100
Rorwatdinace crc) taictei toe eters 47
The illustration, of a group from Mr. Harvey’s flock, fairly represents the breed in all particulars.
CHAPTER XLVII.
SHR OPSHIR ES:
This breed—long and favorably known in England—is, in America, compara- tively new. The first importation of any note was made in 1855, Virginia claiming the honor, but it is only within the last eight or ten years that Shropshire Sheep have attracted any marked attention from breeders on this side of the Atlantic.
The origin of the breed may be traced almost directly to the polled sheep of Cannock Heath, and the old black, or spotted faced breed of Morfe Common. In Volume XVI, Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, there is given this fragment of a report from the Bristol Wool Society (1792) regarding the breed last referred to:
“On Morfe Common, near Bridgnorth, there are about 10,000 sheep, kept during the summer
months, which produce wool of a superior quality. They are considered a native breed, are black faced or brown, or spotted faced horned sheep, little subject to either rot or scab.”
“SAYUIHSdOYHS
‘epeury ‘o1rj}UuG ‘aT]IApoomy “uf ‘TIadawvg “yNHOf yo Ayradorg
SHROPSHIRES, 201
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202 SHROPSHIRES,
The sheep of Cannock Heath were hornless with grayish faces and legs, and are described by Youatt as attaining great weight. From these two hardy native breeds, the Shropshire has been gradually improved,—whether within itself or by further out- crossing with other breeds is difficult to determine,—until it stands at least the acknowl- edged rival of any of our modern middle-wool breeds.
From Volume I, of the American Shropshire Record, we quote:
“In England, the turning point with Shropshire sheep was in the Royal Show Yard at Glouces- ter, in 1853, when their superiority was recognized. * * * * In the year 1859, the breed was
awarded a place on the prize sheet of the Royal Agricultural Society, as a recognized and distinct breed, at which tirne 192 Shropshires were exhibited with marked success.”
In America, they have not hidden their light under a bushel by any means. In 1884, at the Chicago Fat Stock Show,
“(A Shropshire took first prize in the class between two and three years old—competing with Hampshires and Oxfords; sweepstakes for best sheep any breed between two and three years; grand sweepstakes, as best sheep any age and any breed; heaviest fat sheep and best dressed carcass.”
(From an address by J. L. Stone, before the Pennsylvania Board of Agriculture, June 17, 1886.)
DESCRIPTION:
The face is dark grayish or brown, wool coming well down to the eyes, and with no trace of horns. The legs are darker than face—almost black; head longer than in the Southdown and ears larger, while the wool is close set, finer and longer in staple. In addition to this brief outline, we give place to the complete description of a typical animal, adopted in connection with Scale of Points by the American Shropshire Asso- ciation (Mortimer Levering of Lafayette, Ind., Secretary ), and appearing in Volume I of the American Shropshire Record:
“Constitution and quality, indicated by the form of body; deep and large in breast and through the heart; back wide, straight, and well covered with lean meat or muscle; wide and full in the thigh; deep in flank; skin thick but soft and of a pink color; prominent, brilliant eyes and healthful coun- tenance.
“In fair condition when fully matured, rams should weigh not less than 225 pounds, and ewes not less than 175 pounds.
“General appearance and character: Good carriage; head well up; elastic movement, showing great symmetry of form and uniformity of character throughout.
“Body, well proportioned, medium bones, great scale and length, well finished hind-quarters, thick back and loins, twist deep and full, standing with legs well placed outside, breast wide and extending well forward. 4
“ Head short and broad; wide between the ears and between the eyes; short from top of head to tip of nose; ears short, of medium size; eyes expressive; head should be well covered with wool to a point even with the eyes, without any appearance of horns; color of face, dark brown.
“ Neck—Medium length, good bone and muscular development; and especially with the rams, heavier toward the shoulders, well set high up, and rising from that point to the back of the head.
“ Legs—Broad, short, straight, well set apart, well shaped, color dark brown, and well wooled to the knees.
“Body, head, belly and legs to knees well covered with fleece of even length and quality; scrotum of rams well covered with wool.
“ Wool medium, such as is known in our markets as ‘medium delaine’ and ‘half-combing wool,’ strong, fine, lustrous fibre, without tendency to mat or felt together, and at one year’s growth not less than three and one-half inches in length.”
SHROPSHIRES—HAMPSHIRES. 203
Scale of Points for Shropshires, to be used in connection with above description:
Wonstitutionbe sere eievers sicvoreveaieteie(erese 25 Blonvardipeictercctelercscie sie siaitve ws 70 SIVA SEE Be hsotcnd. 4 BIS CRS RCR RO RRC ROTORS LO) Neck ib tavvecksee cic ae storia ae eld. 5 Generalliappeatance’ <7). 2. icine os 6 « LOjw Wepstandibectys-kicteys sie cranes sere 10 ES OC ivareteyer ester ns ievouehsv-yetaterer noes iesc (averse IDM tBleeces.ccasronentnctatsro neers teeiergre:s 10 IBIGEsl S35 Sb promot nee there cree ater cata OPS Quali Gyno Gea VViCO lertetet eheeiae eh 5
HRONWAard sre ate ceca ete ities aie 70 erkection.)..% sien ce neotenic LOO:
The Shropshires are especially fitted, by conditions under which they have beem reared, for moist or even wet localities. That they will do remarkably well on the dry range of the Southwest we are constrained to doubt, but this much is unquestioned: Shropshire rams for use in grading up the middle wools already on the range, are giv- ing satisfaction. What more could be asked? The engraving represents a group of. noted prize-winners from the Fairview Farm, Woodville, Ontario.
CHAPTER XLVIII.
EIVAGME Py SPELL Ron Ss)
This breed originated in the Chalks of Hampshire, England, from which locality it takes its name. It is supposed to be the result of mixing the blood of the old Wilt- shire and native, or old Hampshire sheep, with the Southdown. It is stated, also, that the Cotswold, and possibly the Leicester, may have had some place in the make-up of the modern Hampshire breed, but this is disputed by those who may be called good authority. In this connection we give place to the following interesting communica-
204 HAMPSHIRES.
tion from that veteran breeder and importer of Hampshires, Mr. James W ood, Mount Kisco, N. Y.:
“The statements made by a number of writers on Hampshires, that they carry Cotswold and perhaps Leicester blood, are all based upon a supposition of Spooner in a paper on ‘ Cross-Breeding,’ published in the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1859, which I have. In the main, it is an admirable paper. He does not say it is a fact, or that there is sufficient evidence to prove it, but he supposes there may have been an infusion of such blood.
“All independent authorities are against it. Youatt is the oldest author who mentions Hamp- shires, and he states they had their origin in the original Wiltshire and Berkshire sheep crossed with the Southdown. Prof. Wilson—a very high authority—states that no other blood was used. John Coleman, Professor in the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, and late editor of The Field, denies the Cotswold theory. Squarey, in Coleman’s ‘Sheep of Great Britain,’ says only the old Chalk breeds and Southdowns were used. Armitage, in ‘The Sheep,’ makes no mention of Cots- wold blood or Leicester. Scott, in ‘The Practice of Sheep Farming,’—the last English book on sheep—makes no mention of such blood. Alexander Macdonald, in the Mark Lane Express of May 7th, 1888, gives their origin ‘from the crossing of Wilts and Hants sheep, embellished by an infusion of Southdown blood.’
“Every author, who has not copied from Spooner, is clear upon this point. I consider the mat- ter to be of considerable importance, as upon the fact of the local origin of the breed rests the explana- tion of the remarkable prepotency of the Hampshire, when used in cross-breeding. Spooner states that they have extraordinary power in cross-breeding, and this is illustrated by the fact that the prizes for cross-bred sheep at the great English shows, almost always go to sheep with a Hampshire
parentage.”
HAMPSHIRE RAM, BARON.
One year old; imported by JAMES Woop, Mt. Kisco, N. Y.
HLA MPSHIRES, 205
Mr. Wood further states that the average weight of breeding rams in his own flock, and others with which he is familiar, might be safely placed at 250 to 275 lbs., and that his breeding ewes shear an average clip of seven to eight pounds.
The Hampshire is the largest of the Downs families proper, and has the Down characteristics—dark face and legs, and no horns.
Although the breed has been known since near the beginning of the present cen- tury, it has been only of late years that it has taken a prominent place in public favor. Introduction into the United States occurred some time previous to the Civil War, and the largest and finest flocks were found in the South. During the war, however, (1860-65) the great bulk of the Hampshire Down flocks in the South were destroyed, and the breed practically exterminated in this section. Within the past decade they have been quite extensively imported to various parts of the South and Southwest, and are said to surpass their progenitors—the Southdowns—in the readiness with which they acclimate and adapt themselves to our peculiar conditions.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, dark brown—almost black; the ears are of good size, and more pointed than those of the Southdowns; the head is large and the nose decidedly Roman; the back is straight and broader than either the Southdown or Shropshire. As already noted, it is the largest of the Downs families proper, about equaling the Oxfordshire (which latter, although classed as a Down, should be placed in a class intermediate between Downs and Longwools)
fat two-year-old wethers weighing
206 HAMPSHIRES—OXFORDSHIRES, as high as 275 to 300 pounds, and mature breeding rams scaling an average say between 200 and 225 pounds. Although heavier than Shropshires, they are hardly so symmetrical, being longer in the legs and somewhat lighter underneath, but the back at the loin is remarkably padded with an excellent quality of mutton. The fleece is longer than that of the Southdown, and of a quality somewhat coarser; but as a rule, considering the greater size of the breed, the Hampshire Downs do not shear so heavy a fleece; an average clip for high class flocks might be placed at five to seven pounds. The prominent characteristic of the Hampshire breed lies in the remarkable pre- cocity of the lambs, which frequently increase from 15 or 16 pounds at birth to 140 or 150 pounds at seven or eight months; and their excellence in this respect has led to the use of Hampshire rams in producing early lambs for city market.
CHAPTER XLIX.
OXPT OR DiSHMER ES:
The Oxfords should stand between the “ Downs” and “ Longwools” in their classification, the tendency being more toward the latter. They originated about 1880 —by crossing the improved Cotswold with the Hampshire; probably to some small extent, the Southdown was used in the mixture, but the two breeds first mentioned may be looked upon as the parent stock. The wool is more marked by the Cotswold’s combing quality, while the dark faces and legs show unmistakable evidence of the Hampshire blood.
The Oxfordshire breed first came into public notice about 1850 to 1860, during which time the best flocks were found in the shire of Oxford. Since that date, their excellent qualities have given them a foothold in almost every county of England. In America, they are not so widely known as some other breeds, but a Register has been established, and the breed has been pushed forward rapidly. We understand,
also, a number of Oxfords have been brought to the Southwest, and that they are giving excellent satisfaction.
DESCRIPTION:
Color of face and legs dark brown with a grayish tinge inclining to drab. Head medium to large, with a tuft of wool at the forehead standing out more from the head and not so long, as in the Cotswold; the forehead is very broad and full; ears set low and well back; eyes large, and muzzle finely pointed. The fleece is not so long as that of the Cotswold—being about five to seven inches—but is closer and finer, with much the same tendency to curl, and stands well out from the body.
The following Scale of Points has been adopted by the Oxford Down Record Association:
‘ote ‘GNV14344 ‘WV4 J4IHSddO4XxO
OXFORDSHIRES.
207
208 OXFORDSHIRES—COTSWOLDS.
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-— Perfection. rena ocho ace eevee 100
Forward aimiereceeaenee 47
The Oxfordshire is a well made, round bodied, short legged, mutton and wool- combined sheep. In size it about equals the Hampshire
an average weight for mature breeding rams might be placed between 200 and 225 pounds, while two-year- old fat wethers are frequently found weighing upwards of 275 to 300 lbs. The Oxford is said to stand herding upon wet or spongy range better than any other breed of sheep, and from the fact that its original home at the base of the Cotswold Hills was just such a wet, springy locality, we are inclined to credit the statement.
We are pleased to present the excellent portrait from life of the ram Freeland, 220, kindly furnished us by Mr. W. A. Shafor, of Middletown, Ohio, a breeder of Oxfords, and secretary of the American Oxford Down Record, and to whom we are indebted for many favors. Freeland was bred by Mr. Milton Druce, of Fyfield, England, and at two years of age—when imported by T. 8. Cooper of Coopersburg, Pa.—weighed 4265 lbs.
CHAPTER L.
COS WO VERDES:
The Cotswold breed is very old and firmly fixed in its characteristics. It is said to have been introduced into England from Spain in the Twelfth Century; the state- ment is only a supposition, however, probably based on the fact that Spain possesses a breed of Longwools not unlike the old unimproved Cotswolds. Certain it is that in the Thirteenth Century, Cotswold wool was known and valued in England and found a place as such in wool quotations. In 1467, permission was granted as a Royal Favor by the King, Henry IV, to export some of these sheep to Spain, a fact which illus- trates the high favor Cotswolds had obtained at that date.
Improvement of the breed was mainly effected after Bakewell’s time, by using the Leicester as a cross; this gave greater aptitude to fatten, smoothness, quality and appearance, without injuring the hardy constitution of the old Cotswold breed. In America the breed has become widely known, and is in general favor as a combined wool and mutton sheep.
TH eypoeg Saray “TI Aq pera
“GUVGNVLS ‘NWVY GIOMSLOO
209
HANAN
tl II | HAA il || Hil H} i
110 COTSWOLDS.
Probably the first large importation was made about 1840, at which time some 70 or 80 head were brought over; since that date numerous flocks have been founded,
and the original excellence of imported animals has been fully sustained by American breeders.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, white or light grayish; fleece (combing) eight to ten inches long, pure white, and weighing from 10 to 16 pounds for an average clip. In size the Cotswold ranks among the large breeds, ranging from 250 to 375 pounds, and occasionally a specimen dressing over 300 pounds. The head is strong and large, with a somewhat “ Roman” nose, no horns, and a characteristic forelock of long curling wool hanging over the forehead; the back is broad and flat, and the wool falls away, naturally parted, from the center: the legs are of medium length, with rather heavy bone, but clean and trim withal, and the feet are sound and said to be not subject to foot diseases. The Cotswolds are large, handsome, long-wooled sheep —prime for mutton and furnishing an excellent quality of combing wool. They have been extensively used in crosses and have already figured in the origin of several well-known breeds. They are not so prolific as some other varieties, but the ewes are good mothers and the flock will thrive with ordinary management.
The following Scale of Points, to be used in connection with description given, is taken from Volume III of the American Cotswold Record (George Harding, Waukesha, Wis., Secretary ):
EWE. Sos Caparo ROR Renata eae Gass icaceye oe oe AEE aietvenelinle nis aioe Bester ACE Is ool tastexsiers Leys sas ues Ete IN OStItI Gacy. tae ene Die eUshion Cen ee bet stot te Eers Soon a BNESie5 oor : 4.. Pereistcarrertotcic RETRO EU ALS! e, cye Spon Seva eee a eee Di kiss syle oeketee : Collar sy Ahaecenciee eck eae Sak ch che MODs Shouldersiheeememeeeie A. oseneneisvcbeeOeeR eRe Core sae Fore-Legs LO Seen HOP mee eee evs Breastietneie. sixes An Serene 5 Seinen Ooh RCM NEL CRONE Fore- Blanka saci: NPs 3. cat Oc, > co OO OF Back and Loin Dis = a esaen Ne Neaearciele Green aate Bellivarees) nce. crates SHR, One hats SRAM OES & Qmarterns yh ccs etree oi ate e aed PSR. G 6 SSO ETERS ¢ ITOK se 55/5 eee ara Si ac COLORES 0 0 GD VAS bvecire aucns essa es ene Re tn emoMou ous arse 18 cor So On eee Bleecey tact LOO ei... ca darmenitiek bis aera iRerfection: =...
The animals represented in illustrations are from the flock of T. L. Miller, Beecher, Ill. Mr. Miller requests us to say, however, that he is not, now, breeding Cotswolds, his entire time being devoted to Hereford cattle.
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211
212 LEICESTERS.
CHAPTER LI.
La Gib s hh Rs:
The improved Leicester is peculiarly the result of Mr. Bakewell’s wonderful skill as a breeder, and its origin and improvement may be best studied by a short review of Bakewell’s methods as employed in improving and fixing the type of the Leicester breed. Mr. Bakewell lived at Dishley in Leicestershire, England, and about 1750 began to apply himself to the improvement of sheep in his locality. His plan was to select from different flocks, without regard to size, the sheep which showed greatest aptitude to fatten with least appearance of excess of bone and offal, and he regarded the fleece as of secondary importance.
From Youatt, “On Sheep,” we quote:
“The sort of sheep, therefore, which Mr. Bakewell selected were those possessed of the most perfect symmetry, with the greatest aptitude to fatten, and rather smaller in size than the sheep then generally bred. Having formed his stock from sheep so selected, he carefully attended to the pecu- liarities of the individuals from which he bred; and, it appears, did not object to breeding from near relatives, when, by so doing, he put together animals likely to produce a progeny possessing the characteristics that he wished to obtain. Mr. Bakewell has been supposed by some persons to have formed the New Leicester variety, by crossing different sorts of sheep; but there does not appear to be any reason for believing this; and the circumstance of the New Leicesters varying in their appear- ance and qualities so much as they do from the other varieties of long-wooled sheep, can by no means be considered as proving that such was the system which he adopted.”
It has been stated, however, that Mr. Bakewell used sheep of six or seven differ- ent breeds, and that at one time, a magnificent black ram was found hidden away in a pen at his place. We are inclined to believe that the general reticence as to his methods
amounting almost to apparent selfishness—which he observed, led to a great deal of unwarranted suspicion and surmising. The account given by Youatt seems more reasonable, and especially so, since it is a now well-known principle of breeding, that judicious selection, combined with proper care, of breeding animals, may—without admixture of other blood—entirely change the appearance and char- acter of a breed.
Having thus far established his flock, Mr. Bakewell pursued the plan of hiring
out rams to the neighboring breeders—a plan, by the way, which was beneficial to
himself in permitting a wider range for selection of his breeding stock, and to the
farmers, by permitting a change of rams at minimum expense—and in this way con- tinued until the Leicester breed was firmly fixed, both in character and popularity. Whatever may be said of Mr. Bakewell’s selfish reserve regarding his plan of breed-
ing, it cannot be denied that he has done great good in improving the modern breeds
of sheep—a statement more easily believed when we realize that the New or Im- proved Leicester has had much to do in improving nearly all of the modern mutton breeds.
In America the Leicesters have not been extensively bred or advertised, although in Canada they are much better known and appreciated than in the United States.
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LEICESTERS—LINCOLNS. 215
The first importation of which we have any record was made by Christopher Dunn, of Albany, N. Y., in 1812, and there are, perhaps, not over a score of breeders—on anything like an extensive scale—in the United States to-day, and none, at least to our knowledge, in the South. An American Leicester Breeders’? Association has
recently been organized, with A. J. Temple, of Cameron, IIl., Secretary. DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, white; head small and clean, with tuft of wool at fore- head (not so long as in case of Cotswold); the eyes are bright; ears of good size, placed well back; neck and shoulders square and deep; back straight with deep car- cass; hind quarters not so full and square as in the Cotswold, but fairly well padded, and legs clean and fine boned. Mr. Wm. Rivers, a prominent breeder of both Leicesters and Southdowns in Canada, writes us under date July 2d, 1888, as follows:
“The flesh [of the Leicester] is juicy, but of moderate quality, and is remarkable for the amount of outside fat it carries. They are not considered so hardy as other large breeds, and require shelter and good keep. We have found the ewes to be prolific and good mothers, but the young lambs
require more attention than those of the Southdown. Early maturity and aptitude to fatten are the principal characteristics of the breed.”
We may add that some other breeders have not found the Leicesters prolific, and it is generally believed that prolifity is not one of the Leicesters’ strong claims.
The Leicester fleece is classed with the long wools (combing )—showing a staple of from six to ten inches, and high-class flocks shearing an average of eight or nine pounds. In size, they are among the large breeds—fat two-year-old wethers weighing from 230 to 260 pounds, and mature breeding rams about 190 to 215 pounds.
Of our illustrations the first represents a group of Canada bred sheep, engraved after a sketch from life; the second represents a ewe, bred and raised in England.
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LINCOLNS.
Like the Leicester, this breed is a very old one, made over. The old native sheep
of Lincolnshire, England, was a big, gaunt, raw-boned animal—capable of feeding to enormous weight, but requiring a large amount of food, and a long time to accom- plish it. After Bakewell’s time, Lincoln breeders began to use Leicester rams to improve their flocks, with the result of decreasing size and length of time required to mature; increasing at same time quality of flesh and wool, and aptitude to fatten. So excellent was the basis and so great the improvement, that from 1860 (at which date the Lincoln breed was first given a separate class) to 1870, the majority of prizes for long-wooled sheep at English fairs, were taken by the Lincolns. In America they have long been bred in a small way, but there are as yet few breeders of any prominence. Canada leads the United States in numbers of both Lincolns
216 LINCOLNS.
and Leicesters, and most of the flocks now in the United States are descended from Canada bred or Canada imported stock. Geary Brothers have a fine flock of Lincolns at London, Ontario, Canada, and as they also have a farm at Brookfield, Mo.—where their large Aberdeen-Angus and English Shire interests are located—it is presumable that the Lincoln sheep will eventually become pretty well scattered and favorably known at least in Missouri. There are also flocks of some size in Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin and Kansas. An American Association has been lately organized with L. C. Graham, of Cameron, IIl., Secretary, and we may look for a rapid advance of Lincoln interests in the near future.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color of face and legs, white; head large and conspicuously free from wool at the forehead, which narrows somewhat sharply backward. The neck is of medium length, well set on to deep shoulders; back straight and full, but not so broad as in the Cotswold; legs rather long, firm, large boned; and general appearance, if not sprightly, at least strong and vigorous, The fleece is the longest of the long wools (combing ), lustrous in character, and showing a staple from nine to twelve inches in length. High class flocks yield an annual clip of from nine to fifteen pounds the fleece.
In size, the Lincolns are classed as the largest of modern breeds—fat two-year- old wethers frequently weighing upwards of 300 pounds, and mature breeding rams from 225 to 250 pounds. From Consul General Merritt’s Report, dated at London, England, March 25th, 1884, we clip the following in reference to Lincoln sheep:
“Being very broad, deep and compact in form, they generally outstrip the Cotswold in weight at the Smithfield Club Shows, and last December, the heaviest pen [three animals of a kind taken collectively] of sheep in the Agricultural Hall, was that of Mr. John Pears, which took first prize in the Ewe Class, the animals weighing nine cwt., two quarters, twenty-four pounds.”
An average of 3232 pounds per head.
The Lincoln requires rich food and plenty of it, but when the proper conditions are given, it would be hard to find a more profitable sheep. For the South, we would hardly consider them valuable—although it must be admitted that the opinion is purely theoretical—since we have no knowledge of any Lincoln flocks in the Gulf States.
The large illustration represents the ram Rescue, winner of nine first and four second prizes in England and Canada; and the two shearling ewes Daisy and Ermine, winners of the first and second prizes respectively at no less than five fairs or exhi- bitions on the Canada side: all imported in 1883, by Geary Bros., London, Ontario, Canada, and Brookfield, Mo., U. 5S. A.
The ram, Lord Preston, was bred and raised in England, and the engraving is
the work of English artists.
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HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 219
CHAPTER LIII.
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.
The selection of sheep—more than any other race of domestic animals—requires ‘strict regard to the purpose for which they are desired. In the Chapters under Part Third, we have tried to give an accurate description of each of the modern breeds; and have stated, in brief, the peculiar conditions under which each breed will give best returns. With these hints already before us, it is unnecessary to treat further of selection of breed, than to say: Each party must first determine the purpose for which he desires sheep—whether for mutton, or for wool, or for both combined—by a care- ful study of his market facilities, both as to relative demand and price for mutton and wool, and also as to relative shipping charges in transporting either to market. Hav- ing once reached a decision on above, and after carefully studying the characteristics of the different breeds of sheep, and comparing the needs of each with the conditions of climate, soil and food which obtain in his immediate locality, he is then ready to select the breed with something like an intelligent judgment.
The man who tries raising sheep because he thinks “sheep are not worth much any way, and if a few die it is no great loss,” had best obtain more sense before investing his dollars. There is nothing in the live stock line which demands such close calculation, and such an intimate knowledge of the business, as the breeding and handling of sheep. It is a common saying that “the ram is half the flock,” and it might be stated with equal force that the shepherd is the other half. It is really of great importance that the shepherd in charge of the flock, be a man who thoroughly understands his work, and such a man must be sought among those who have “ grown up in the sheep pen.” To graduate in the School of Experience requires many years, but the course when completed, is of incalculable value. It is not every man ‘that can have the advantage of an early boyhood training in this direction, but, if a practical shepherd can be secured, he may still be able to handle sheep with reason- able success.
In selecting service rams, the breeder should aim to secure perfection in shape and fleece, rather than excess of weight: an unusually large ram may produce some very large lambs, but he will also produce very many small ones; while, on the other hand, a short-coupled, close made, smooth and even, but smaller ram will breed with much greater uniformity. The head of the stock ram should always be small in proportion to body; the legs firm but not large; the back and loin well padded with mutton, and covered densely with wool of even length, and the general appear- ance and style should be brisk and sprightly—a lazy looking “ droopy” ram, as a rule, is not a strong breeder. Light, but strong, bones are much to be desired in a sheep, and large bones are always objectionable. If the head is too large—unless bred to
220 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.
ewes unusually broad and deep in the pelvic region—much trouble will result at lamb- ing time and considerable loss may be incurred.
The ewe should be selected with reference to type of the breed to which she belongs; and, especially if bred to produce a certain result, should exhibit the peculiar characters which the breeder aims to secure. The primary purpose of the ewe being that of a mother, she should be chosen with especial reference to her capacity to carry and nourish the faetus, and produce milk for the lamb. Ewes are like cows—some are good milkers, but many are poor in this respect, and the external signs of milking excellence are much the same in both. A feminine appearance of the head; wide, open pelvis, and body deep at the flank, are marks which should always guide in selection of the ewe.
We are not of opinion that the ordinary sheep farmer will have very great success with thoroughbred flocks of any breed; but we cannot urge too strongly the use of thoroughbred rams in grading up the hardy native or mixed-bred sheep common to different sections of the country. Mixed-bred flocks receive very kindly the blood of any of the improved breeds; and it is only a question of result desired as to what breed of ram should be selected. As a rule, wherever dry, scant ranges are found—especially in warm climates—wool will be more profitable than mutton, and no sheep will succeed better than the Merino. Where land is more fertile, and food, in consequence, more abundant, a combination of mutton and wool may be found more profitable; for such conditions as are found in the upper portion of the Mississippi Valley, the “ Middle-wools” have held the field against all others; and in the same section it has been found profitable, when flocks of short-wool basis were already present, to use compact rams of the long-wool breeds—combining, in . this way, the hardy characters of the former, with the size and mutton capacity of the latter, and producing a middle-wool flock with least expenciture of time and money.
To improve a flock requires, primarily, an accurate knowledge of the type desired—the improver must carry, in his mind’s eye, a picture of the sheep he wishes to produce, and every animal, of either sex, which he employs to accomplish his pur- pose, must be selected by comparison with this ideal type. He must remember that it takes time to accomplish much in the way of improvement, and that he cannot expect to secure in any two, or even three or four, animals all the points—in perfection which he wishes combined in one individual. Above all, let it be remembered, that the most careful and judicious selection may be set at naught by ignorant or careless management of the breeding flock; sheep are delicate property, and, while with breeders of any race of domestic animals, careful attention is a paying investment, with the breeder of sheep it becomes a most essential factor of success.
The student will find it profitable to make a careful study of the actual methods employed by successful breeders in different parts of the country, and to this end we invite attention to the following letters:
Shropshires. “ FAIRVIEW FARM, WoopDVILLE, ONT., July 25th, 1888. * * * * “ Ewes, if at all low in condition, are prepared for turning to the ram, by feeding a little mixed grain—two-thirds oats and one-third peas—once daily. It is thought by many practical flock owners that ewes gaining in flesh when being served, give a larger number of twins. The bucks are usually
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 221
let to them about the first of September for early lambs, and in October for a later lot. As my flocks are all pure-bred Shropshires, the object in having lambs dropped so early is to have them well for- ward for exhibiting in the fall, but it is also the most profitable way of raising market lambs, as about Easter good ones bring double the price of those marketed two months later. During the late fall, the flock is allowed into its winter quarters at night, but is not kept yarded until the snow covers the ground.
“The winter feeding until lambing time is as follows: pea-straw from peas cut before being fully ripe is fed in the morning, three pounds cf turnips per ewe at noon, and a full feed of clover hay at night, with abundance of good, clean water. No grain is fed at this period except a small daily allowance of mixed oats and bran to thin ewes. During the winter, they are not closely housed, but have an open shed to shelter them from storms and wet, with yards attached for exercise, but separate from all other stock.
“During our cold winter weather, warm quarters are necessary for lambing, but when the lambs are two weeks old, they are run into the sheds and yards. After the lambs are dropped, the ewes are carefully tended, warm drinks of water, bran and a sprinkle of salt are given thrice daily, and clover hay. The third day, oat and pea meals are added to the bran, when the water used for moistening may be cool (but not too cold), and three pounds of mangel-wurtzels are given daily. The slop is increased in quantity, until all that is eaten at once is fed morning and night, and the roots are increased to six pounds for a noon feed, with a full supply of clover hay and water. This liberal feeding induces a heavy flow of milk, just what is required to make the lambs grow rapidly at that stage, and the ewes, as well, will often gain in condition. When the lambs are three weeks old, a separate division is provided for them to run into at will, where a mixture of ground oats, peas, and also bran, with oil cake [linseed] added later on, is fed. When turned to grass, the ewes are given some dry grain for a week or two, and when early forward lambs are wanted, the mixture is con- tinued all summer. Whether pre-maturity is wanted or not, all lambs are given an allowance of grain after weaning, about the 15th of July or August Ist. By this system, Fairview flock has pro- duced yearly averages per ewe of 114 to 13¢ lambs, some weighing, year after year in September, 130 pounds, and in 1888, a ram lamb, dropped in February, was exhibited from this flock at the Industrial Exhibition, Toronto, Canada, which weighed 175 pounds in September.
“As a rule, ram lambs are not used, though no doubt an early, well developed one is quite capable of serving a dozen to twenty ewes without hurt, and with good results. When used on a large flock—40 to 60 ewes—he is not allowed constantly with them; is kept apart, fed whole oats and peas, with bran added, and turned to the flock a short time each evening. With half the number, a mature buck is run the whole day with the flock, kept separate at night, and fed grain.
“The winter care of rams is similar to that given ewes before lambing, with the exception of double the quantity of roots being fed; and also some grain, if more than ordinary condition is required, as for show purposes, or for pushing on lambs to earlier maturity as shearlings.
“Shearing is generally done before the sheep are turned to grass, in the beginning of May, though sometimes, if the weather is favorable, the wool is taken off a month earlier than that date. To keep the wool in good condition and prevent its being pulled, because of ticks or skin disease, the flock is dipped with tobacco water, or one of the patent sheep dips, early in the fall while the weather is mild. The lambs are dipped previously in May, when tobacco water is preferred, as it does not injure the tender skin, which the others are apt to do. After shearing, each fleece is carefully spread on a table, skin side downwards, all tags removed, and the sides folded toward the center until about 18 inches in width, when it is tightly rolled from the tail end, and a rope twisted from the neck end, with which the fleece is tied up. When tidily done, it can be handled without breaking, and the manufacturer can sort at will.
Very truly, Jno. R. CAMPBELL, JR.”
In Mr. Campbell’s letter we have a clear exposition of the manner of handling sheep in a cold country, and one which cannot fail to be of value, not only to the breeders of sheep ina similar climate, but to breeders in any latitude. The object in breeding sheep is to make money, and the point with mutton producers is to secure
great weight at an early age; Mr. Campbell explains very clearly the double advan-
Ae
222 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP.
tage he derives from this early forcing process, and shows a close acquaintance with
the profit side of sheep account.
American Merinos. “STANBERRY, Mo., July 23d, 1888. * * * *
“Commencing at breeding time, when the ewes are supposed to be in lamb, the rams are separ- ated from the ewes, generally keeping all the rams in one fold, and in good thriving condition; never allowing any to get thin in flesh, usually feeding regularly on the best of clover and timothy hay, whenever they desire to eat it; if this and the pasturage—which should be of the best, and always with pure water, easily accessible, is insufficient for the growth of flesh, we give at least once per day, a feed of grain, about one gill to half pint each—a mixture of three parts oats and one of wheat.
“ Through the breeding season, such feeding ought to be nearly, if not quite, C@oubled for rams. A remunerative plan is to separate the rams at night from the sight of the ewes, and to these as to all other sheep, give thin feed, of a wholesome quality, and in a strictly clean place, with ample room for all to feed without crowding. None of the brute creation is naturally more cleanly, and conse- quently for profit such rules must be adhered to.
“ With the ram, constitution and vitality cover 60 out of the 100 points, and from the lot, the most vigorous and strong (other things being equal) are selected for service. Ewes after having been bred, are allowed or required to take more of gentle exercise, with an abundant amount of nutri- tious pasture, and are supplied with well cured and timely prepared roughness, from grass, corn fodder, small grain straw, &c., to supply any deficiency caused by frosts or drouth; if necessary to keep or put into good strong flesh, be sure to adda grain feed, proportionate to the needs ;—300 well kept ewes will shear annually more wool and raise more lambs than 500 half starved. Especially at the approach of the lambing season do the ewes need extra care and feed. When the herdsman says ‘the ewes do not own the lambs,’ he ought to be informed that the flock-master does not own his sheep, for ‘’tis the full udder that calls for the lamb,’ and the dam can only supply to her offspring from what has first been given her. In proportion to the desire for the growth of the lambs should be the food supply to the ewes. If the lambs are intended for mutton, they ought to be encouraged to eat of grain as young as possible, say from eight to twelve weeks old, and all lambs will grow and thrive best that are weaned at about five to six months of age. They should be separated from their dams, and put on the most succulent pasture, and fed partially on grain for the first winter—for stock sheep, an amount sufficient for good thrift and growth; for the block or shambles, as much as is readily consumed till the butcher wishes them, let it be three months or three years.
“ Shearing and marketing of wool is an important part of this industry, and as a rule, from one to three cents per pound can be gained or lost in the way wool is handled, and as a rule from 10 to 20 per cent., in the time of year this is done. Sheep ought to be shorn earlier in the season than is generally practiced, from which two great advantages arise: one is, that in the fall of year, or when inclement weather comes on, the early shorn has more protection; and the other is, the early shorn will give annually a larger fleece for several reasons, among them: (1) that a large amount of wool, which some sheep naturally shed, is saved; and (2) being clipped, prevents the habit of shedding. I always shear as early as the weather will permit, not minding the month except for the show sheep, which, according to the rules of some of our Associations, put the limit not earlier than April 1st. I have never known any losses to newly shorn sheep except from their being exposed to wet, and have known more in June than in March. At shearing, all impurities should be clipped from the fleece, which should be carefully handled, not tearing, and being turned flesh side out on a clean table, folded together, and rolled up, and tied with specially prepared wool twine, sufficient, and only so, to keep in place; after which, keep the wool clean from dust, straw or other things, and if one has a desirable lot of wool with an attractive appearance, the commission man will find it, and the grower can sell at home, and know what he gets for it. This I have always done.
Most truly, L. E. SHATTUCK.”
Mr. Shattuck believes is early shearing—a point on which we think he is quite correct. If sheep are to be shorn for a record, it is of course necessary that some
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP. 223
system prevail, by which uniformity may be secured; but if a man is breeding for dollars and cents, and without regard to association rules, we see no reason why the shearing can not be done at least a week earlier than is generally practiced. We are glad to note the point regarding milking quality in the ewe; too many overlook this, and seem to regard the ewe as an unchangeable m
of just so much and no more in this direction. There is as much difference among ewes in milking quality as among cows: no one would make the mistake of breeding cows that could not support their calves, and yet this very thing is overlooked by one-half of the modern breeders of sheep. Mr. Shattuck is one of our most successful wool men, and his hints on handling the fleece and marketing the wool, may be read with profit.
American Mertinos.
“Sowers, TEXxAs, July 31st, 1888. * * * *
“T have 300 acres of land located on Grapevine Prairie; the land is high and quite undulating. Soil mostly gravelly mesquite land; all fenced sheep proof, five wires—three barbed and two smooth —beginning with barbed at top and bottom; posts 16 feet apart. I began in the spring of 1885 with 175 head Michigan bred ewes and five rams. On the 20th of October I begin breeding the ewes. To every 100 head I turn in one ram in the morning, and take him out at night. On the second day after, I return ram to the flock, or a fresh one in his stead. I continue in this way until all the ewes, or nearly all, are with lamb, then I allow one or more of my best rams to remain with the flock until about Christmas, when I remove all the rams from the ewe flock until the following October. My land is divided into five pastures, all well shaded and watered. I do not allow my flock to run more than a month in one pasture before changing them around.
“« My flock is divided into three flocks—breeding ewes, rams and lambs, and are kept thus separ- ated the whole year round. I begin feeding as early in the winter as weather and condition of flocks demand, on sorghum, corn fodder, prairie hay, corn, cotton seed and sheaf oats. I limit myself to no given amount per head, but feed, according to the mildness or severity of the weather, about what I think they require and will eat up clean. During the cold and all of the wet weather of the year, I keep them housed in well-built sheds. My lambs begin coming March 20th, and are generally all through by the first of May. I castrate lambs at two to four days old; dock all at about one week to ten days old, and wean at four months. I shear about the middle of May, and sack the fleeces ‘loose’ in regular wool sacks. I have now 475 head of all ages—all full blood Merinos. In fair weather, I always feed liberally with salt and sulphur (one part sulphur to two parts salt) except to ewes in pregnancy. I shear but once a year, and fleece averages for entire flock from 11 to 12 lbs.
Respectfully yours, C. F. Mitts.”
We extend our compliments to Mr. Mills for the concise, clear and full account of his way of handling sheep. We have not the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, but his letter indicates that he understands his business, and will doubtless succeed.
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HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT.
Chapter EXVINT 2... 2.0-ee-
249 250
251
226 BERKSHIRES.
CHAPTER LIV.
Bam RAK Sie IRS).
As indicated by the name, this variety of swine originated in the county or shire of Berk, England. The old original Berkshire was a large, raw-boned, coarse hog, with lop ears; was black and white in color, with occasional red or sandy spots.
Improvement of the breed was begun about the year 1780, by crossing with the Chinese hog; but it was not until Lord Barrington’s time (1820-30) that the breed was brought to any degree of perfection. (It is stated by some authors, that the Neapolitan hog was the main source of Berkshire improvement; this, however, is firmly denied by others, and we have nowhere been able to find safe authority for the use of the Neapolitan at all in this connection.) The methods pursued by Lord Bar- rington can only be surmised, but it is certain that he added much to the merits of the Berkshire breed, and achieved a reputation fully proven by the fact that nearly all of the English Berkshires trace their ancestry to his herd.
Probably the first importation to the United States was made by John Brentnall, of New Jersey, in 1823. Some years later, about 1832, Sidney Hayes, an English farmer residing near Albany, N. Y., brought over a few head. Since that time num- bers have been imported, and the improvement made by American breeders has been so marked as to cause competent judges to decide in favor of the American-bred hog. Prof. Jas. Long, in his admirable work, “ The Book of the Pig,” speaking of breed- ing for exhibition says:
“In America the Berkshire pig is much more extensively bred than with us, and there is in that country not only a very much larger number of breeders of pigs of an exhibition type, but there is a Berkshire Pig Association, which is supported by a large body of members, although English breed- ers, to whom the Americans originally came for the foundations of their herds, have hitherto lacked sufficient spirit and energy to carry anything of the kind to a successful issue.”
Although an English variety of swine, we prefer to accept the standard of American breeders, as outlined in the following
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN BERKSHIRE:
Color black, with white feet, small white line in face, and a white spot at tip of tail. (Occasionally there is a small splashing of white on the arm, and sometimes spots occur on other portions of the body, but their presence is regarded with disfavor, and they are entirely excluded by breeders of the more fashionable strains.) The face is short, fine, well dished and broad between the eyes; ears erect or inclining forward, stiff at base, but so thin and delicate as to shake and tremble with every movement of the animal; jowl heavy; neck short and thick; shoulders deep and full; back broad and straight, or slightly arched; long ribs well sprung, giving roundness of barrel, and short ribs long and spreading, giving great breadth and fulness of loin. The hips
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228 BERKSHIRES.
are loug, heavy, round and deep, bearing their flesh well down to the hocks; tail fine, small and set well up to the sacral curve; legs short, straight, fine-boned and set wide apart; body medium to long; hair fine, rather thin in fashionable strains, and skin elastic and pliable.
The following Scale of Points has been adopted by the American Berkshire Association (Phil. M. Springer, of Springfield, Ill., Secretary ), and is now in gene- ral use:
GOlOr oi dicnineike cote ee eC eens 4 ROM AT Save stele clepere) etek. 7 PaceyindeSnoutiee caer ee nena Gee SIGES rade teoctwensiolic baveneneie rs eke Nopenanckepaes 6 TEV. 6:%:.. w/austdopnetsdebopatataton eke eattene sees Rois Pe SM ETO aM Poa tN a Gr MAGMA Mu meal ty ick Gad) c 5 FAL are, fee yeaa caeta eae a ave tncstReret tea pore A. wil, QIN geensrc sen NT hae een OT ecdk swelled orehcttoromee 9 Jrow ]y ee itech a eres eRe ce A EMail te eee aN eee ree te cone ea any 10 Neck: .vqeraa oe erantetciencte ar ene rleemem Bey) a Re rae ee eR a aM Ry ect 2 FLAID is ois rareethne Sate eey al uokts Gee eee Rese UES re ninnniy Joka my edb ceo MOOS oA OI i) Skins. snisraereperenesal atta sure tara Reece An Sy nam 6 hiy ae eater ge iienerers eens ole eae 6 Shouldeneeicek sabre ace eee a ee i. Condition\ac neces bebo ddaatod boc 5 Bache 4 Seine eeiccsia ciate aie leer Sits ty lentes Hien err ys ee Ove, 35 5
IF OnWiatGisrtrotvca lo eekcarne 47 Rerrectionisonimncicnitcn uc oeialckoke 100
CHARACTERISTICS:
The Berkshires possess great muscular power and extraordinary activity—this latter feature, indeed, is very generally considered a serious objection, inasmuch as too great activity is not conducive to an economical production of fat. The sows are noted for their prolifity, and the pigs when dropped are strong and lively. They may be fattened for market at any age desired, and when continuously and properly fed attain great size and weight. The average live weight of well kept shoats placed on the market at nine to twelve months old, should be from 240 to 300 pounds. When mature, a weight of from 500 to 650 pounds is not uncommon. Berkshire boars when used in crossing—or in grading up common stock—transmit, with considerable cer-
BERKSHIRES—POLAND CHINAS. 229
BERKSHIRE SOW, ORIENT MAUD, 1 1936.
Property of SPRINGER Bros., Springfield, Il.
tainty, all the valuable qualities of their breed. The objections urged against them may be summed up as follows: (1) They are too nervous and excitable, requiring very careful handling to secure best results; (2) their bone is too small—rendering them more liable to mishaps, such as hip-shot and broken legs—than are the larger- boned breeds. Where Berkshires are carefully handled and properly fed, we know of no better variety, but in the hands of the ordinary farmer, where attention is denied or partially withheld, they cannot be accorded first—nor, in our opinion, even second place.
The large illustration, kindly furnished for our use by the Western Agriculturist, of Quincy, IIl., is a fair representation of the breed, as are also the portraits of Royal Granite and Orient Maud.
CHAPTER LV.
POLAND-CHINAS.
The Poland-China breed is one distinctively American in origin and type— originating chiefly in Warren and Butler Counties, Ohio, where the type was soon fixed by the enterprising breeders of that section. It became known as a breed locally, under various names,—such as the “Warren County Hog” and the “ Big Spotted,’—about 1835 to 1840; but the now firmly established name, “ Poland- China,” was first officially adopted by the National Swine Breeders’ Convention, held at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1872.
The Big Chinas—large white hogs with sandy spots—were taken to Warren County in 1816; the Berkshires were introduced about 1830; the Irish Graziers—
230 POLAND-CHINAS.
white hogs with sandy eye spots—about 1839; and the Byfields—which are said to resemble the Chinas in form—about the same time. From a judicious blending of these different breeds, upon a basis of the best “native” hogs, supposed to have descended largely from original Poland stock, brought in by early settlers from Ger-
many, we have the present Poland-China breed.
Improvement of the breed has been largely the result of private individual enter- prise and skill—Mr. A. C. Moore, now of Canton, Ill., and Mr. D. M. Magie of Oxford, Ohio, being especially deserving of notice in this connection. So much, indeed, have their labors been appreciated, that persistent attempts have been made by respective friends of these two gentlemen to name the breed “ Moore” or “ Magie,” instead of Poland-China; fortunately, however, the name is too firmly settled to admit of change for reasons of a personal nature, and the friends of these prominent breeders must be content with simple credit for their recognized efficient work.
DESCRIPTION:
Color, black and white spotted, sometimes black, sometimes white predominating ; size, large—mature hogs weighing from 600 to 750 pounds, and shoats at eight or nine months weighing upwards of 250 pounds. The nose is medium, face neatly dished, head small in proportion to body, with large, thin, drooping (“lop”) ears and full, heavy jowl. The neck is short, back straight, shoulders deep, girth large, ribs well arched, loins full and wide, hams very heavy and legs short, with good sized, strong bone. In some specimens the hair is decidedly curly, but in a majority of cases the coat is straight or at most slightly wavy, covering a skin of similar color and medium thickness.
The following Scale of Points may be used in connection with the description
given: INIOSE Picks ein ache eben oe Le 4 NOL WaATG capaine lejcicacrce creer .ol [3 Cre ASO Oe Ao Bt ae Ais. Backin iia eiet th opener can rk eee 6 Width betweentevestenc ar ree trie AL.) RADS2 ara eer anata ee ainays Oieec ae Orie eee 9 ALS 5 Aiecara alone erate ota TRO te eT ees D, oins sete soi a eta ae eee one a JOW lien Es as Soler eee een tai 3:7 el amis heaee eee arate see eerie 12 Neches, cats erations oe ocksianr tion 4 Elaine tetas atten ati eee ate Shoulders sic. osc ne eee 9 Width of bod yerrin aes. inure ee etre 5 Girthearoundshearierersee-tireeiet Dis NSCB Se Slike, eee oarer marten ee Vena ee tnt Ons 6 Depthiot body mermsrwrrrrter ese eer 9
Mor wards eitesrcriicn > scene 51 Perfection necna-lsen aie canne 100
The scale has been subjected to a number of changes, but the above, we believe, has been more generally accepted than other arrangements.
CHARACTERISTICS:
The Poland-China has a stronger following among western farmers than has any other breed of swine, and, we think, justly so; they are large, mature reasonably early, and long before maturity may be turned into pork at the highest market price. They are uniformly quiet, even lazy, and never lose flesh by reason of excitability. They have strong, firm bone, permitting a heavy load of fat, and rendering them less
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232 POLAND-CHINAS—DUROC-JERSEYS.
liable to mishaps when placed with fattening steers. On the. whole the western farmer can hardly find a better hog.
In the South they have not done so well; reports from central and southern Texas indicate that the Poland-China is out of his element when taken below the central part of the state; and, in this respect, must admit the superiority of his red-haired brother the Duroc-Jersey. Our illustration is an accurate picture of a magnificent trio, bred by the well-known and thoroughly reliable firm, A. C. Moore & Sons, Canton, Illinois.
CHAPTER LVI.
DIUFR OIC =7 Ey RUSE Ye Si
In the following history of their origin, we are largely indebted to the report of Col. F. D, Curtis, Vol. I of the American Duroc-Jersey Record, compiled by the able Secretary of the Association, Chas. H. Holmes, now of Beatrice, Nebraska.
At the first meeting of the National Swine Breeders’ Association at Indianapolis, Indiana, 1872, a committee was appointed on “Jersey Red Swine,” from whose report, as adopted by the Convention, we clip the following:
“ The positive origin of this family of swine is unknown. They have been bred in portions of New Jersey for upwards of 50 years, and with many farmers are considered to be a valuable variety. They are of large size, and capable of making a heavy growth, 500 and 600 pounds weight being common. Mr. David Pettit, Salem, Salem County, N. J., has known of these hogs for thirty years, and Mr. D. M. Brown of Windsor for nearly fifty years. They are now extensively bred in the middle and southern portions of New Jersey. In neighborhoods they were bred quite uniform, being of a dark red color; while in other sections they were more sandy, and often patched with white. They are probably descended from the old importations of Berkshires, as there is no record of the Tamworth—the red hog of England—ever having been brought to this country; nor is it likely as the Tamworth were not considered valuable swine, and were confined to a limited breeding.”
The name “Jersey-Red” was first used about 1870 by the late Joseph R. Lyman, at that time Agricultural Editor of the Mew York Tribune, and a Mr. Lippincott of New Jersey, was probably the first breeder to advertise under the name thus given.
In the meantime, another strain of red hogs was finding favor in New York under the name “ Duroc”; they were so called by Isaac Frink, a farmer living near Milton, Saratoga County, N. Y. Mr. Frink secured a pair of the pigs in 1828 from Mr. Kelsey,—the then owner of the famous stallion Duroc,—who stated that the pigs were “imported”; as to what was meant by the expression used, we can only infer, but it is probable that if “imported” from England, a name would have been imported with them; and since Mr. Kelsey called them simply “Red Pigs,” we are justified in believing them brought from a distance—probably Queens Co., N. Y., where Mr. Kelsey formerly resided—but not imported from Europe. Mr. Frink could as well have named them “Kelsey” as Duroc, but the fame of the horse so overshadowed
that of his owner as to doubtless warrant Mr. Frink’s choice of a name. =
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234 DUROC-JERSEYS.
These two families of swine, under separate names, were undoubtedly of the same origin; and this, probably, is found in the old red type of Berkshire, as pictured by Low, in his “ Domestic Animals of Great Britain.”
That the two names represented one hog had been long recognized; and, after several attempts to effect an organization, the Duroc or Jersey-Red Swine Club met, in first annual session, at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, November 15th, 1883. During this meeting, there were some remarks about the propriety of leaving out the
word “or”
in the name of the Club, which finally resulted in changing the name to “ Duroc-Jersey Swine Breeders’ Association,” as now known.
Improvement of the breed has been very great, especially within the past decade. The old Jersey Red or Duroc was a coarse, heavy, raw-boned, lop-eared and “lank- sided” animal, whose greatest merit lay in his growth and feeding qualities; while his modern brother, as will be seen from the next topic, is among the best of economic
breeds of swine.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, cherry or sandy red, without admixture of other tints; nose medium to short; face slightly dished, wide between eyes; ears medium, drooping, and jowl large, full and well rounded. The neck is short; shoulders broad and deep—bounding a chest of great capacity; back broad, and neatly moulded to long, deep ribs; hams very heavy with low full twist; legs medium in length, with strong firm bone; tail well up but rather thick; hair soft, straight and shining—the whole combined with an action, not nervous, but vigorous and sprightly. To those who are familiar with the Poland- Chinas, we might briefly state that the Duroc-Jersey resembles them very closely in nearly all points except color. In size the Duroc-Jersey ranks among the largest of modern breeds, individuals weighing at maturity 400 to 700 pounds, and marketing at eight or nine months an average weight of from 175 to 250 pounds, dressed.
They are quiet, ravenous feeders, good grass hogs, and bear forcing for market as well as any. :
.In the South they have no superior, at least among the large breeds, as they never sun-scald, and adapt themselves readily to climatic conditions under which even the hardy Poland-China will not thrive.
The cross of the Duroc-Jersey on the Essex, we regard as of more value for pork than the pure bloods of either breed, as they combine the size and forcing quali- ties of the former with the early maturity and fattening powers of the latter, in a very happy manner.
The following Scale of Points, for judging Duroc-Jersey swine, to be used in connection with description already given, has been formally adopted by the Asso- ciation: -
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DUROC-JERSEYS—CHESTER-WHITES. 235
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Our illustration gives an excellent idea of this now popular breed of swine.
CHAPTER LVII.
CHES DE R-W HEDES.
The breed derives its name from the place of its origin—Chester County, Penn- sylvania. In 1818, a sea captain—James Jeffries by name—brought over from Bed-
fordshire, England, a pair of superior white pigs, showing bluish spots in skin—since known as “ Bedford” hogs
and placed them on his farm near West Chester, Pa. These pigs and their progeny, in connection with the Big Chinas, brought to Dela- ware County, Pa., about the same time, were used by the farmers of Chester County, in grading on a foundation stock of large, coarse white hogs—probably descendants of the old English Large Yor kshire—supposed to have been imported about 1811,
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until after many years of careful selection and judicious inbreeding, the Chester-White breed was brought before the American Farmer, and turned over to him for further improvement.
The modern Chester-White is well known throughout the Eastern and many of the Western States, and has, at one time and another, found a place in most of the mixed-bred herds in the Mississippi Valley. The writer well remembers the time
236 CHESTER-WHITES.
when a black hog was looked upon with more or less disfavor by a great majority of western farmers; and the Chester was at that time ¢Ze hog sought for to improve and maintain the herd. One of the most prolific and valuable brood sows we have ever known was of this breed, a sow that for beauty and utility combined, would be hard to surpass; her owner, however, not fancying the white color, persisted in using a black boar, and declaring that the magnificent litters she brought owed their great excellence to the sire.
Improvement of the Chester has been very constant. Our western farmers are, almost to a man, good judges and good handlers of swine; and those who have not been carried away during the last fifteen or twenty years by the popular tide in favor of black hogs have used their abilities to advantage in perfecting the Chester- White breed.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, white—as name indicates—with hair of medium length, mostly straight, neatly parted on the median line, and in the best specimens, showing a handsome curl or rosette just over the loins. The head is of medium length, broad between the eyes; ears thin, drooping, pointed well forward, and showing a decided bend or “lop” near the point; neck short and thick; jowl large; body long and deep; back broad, hams large and rounded; legs short and squarely placed; tail small with brush of soft hair, and back and belly lines almost parallel.
In size, the Chester-Whites rank with the largest, weighing at maturity 600 or 700 pounds, and marketing at eight or nine months, a dressed weight of 175 to 250 pounds. They do not claim early maturity, but no hog can surpass them, in favorable climate, for capacity to transform corn into fat pork in shortest time and at least expense. They are quiet, even lazy, and make excellent animals to follow steers in the feeding pens. The brood sows produce large litters, and are excellent mothers— the only objection we have ever heard on this point being that they are apt to be cross at pigging time, which is, perhaps, well founded. In the South, they have no place: the white breeds of swine cannot stand the severe summer sun of this latitude without danger of sun-scald, mange, or other troubles; and, while there are many breeders— and partisan ones too—of each of the modern white breeds in the South, justice toward all interests demands the above statement,
The following Scale of Points for judging Chester-White swine, has been for- mally adopted by the National Chester-White Breeders’ Association, and should be used in connection with description already given:
fe) (0) eRe eesti OSCR EER IES OD 3 Forward 2 2)s2cesscsh nee 54 Head): 4.5.84 oe es oe Galo eee Bi AIO. Spates ote leo cece cne ee eee eee 2 IDEIDeoooobaroooc Dopo ood a coomdene 56 Ze AMkiycas oeeeincd mo O80 BoOlsUcG DOO MO . 4 Towle aa sac mm voiocta sere =: deteleuae tees Os, Milani 2o)5 5c heh eee eee ao Neck? =. aeals te Gene en ces eae See 3 Ih noe alee hots cha tare asd wi Se 0) Brisket) sess Sect Gate ee 37 Laills .c ck dhe. cele he Oe ulee Shoulders... canpee aeuhais aioe saekooene G6. Teimibstes 25 pre dace eo mie oe onal 7 Girthvat Iheattarise cto ater aa ieteeiers NO Coat orate lot ads s arejeroueutohoretei2 aie elena 3 Bale. a .5 tei cn Se hitere eee Chee eee th. NCHOT sree ee tes eer eRe oerarerere we) PRD S 527. c Siar ciesey Ae Rare ere eRe re Rees de SyMMEthye sa acyl teenetee esc kines 5 WDIGES) cress Aides Cre SOE ee Rea eee 6 =
= Perfection saree: cacin ee nhs (00)
TODD’S IMPROVED CHESTEK-WHITES. 237
CHAPTER LVIII.
TODD’S IMPROVED CHESTER-WHITES.
This breed has lately forced itself into recognition among the farmers of Ohio and other western states; and we can do no less than grant its claim to the title of “breed,” since it is already proven by the marked similarity of its pure-bred offspring. Weare not personally familiar with the breed, but give the following account of its origin, and a description, based on letters from breeders, and the history as outlined by S. H.
Todd in Vol. I, Record of Todd’s Improved Chester-White Swine, which appeared in 1885.
“ Kneeland Todd, took a boar of the breed known as ‘Norfolk Thin Rind’—black belted with white—and a white sow pig of the Connecticut—so-called ‘Grass breed,’ to Ohio in 1834. Isaac Hoskins had moved to Wakeman, Ohio, from New Bedford, Mass., the previous year—1833, taking with him at that time, a boar of the ‘ Byfield’ breed—large white, rather leggy and slow to mature— and a sow of the ‘Auterdale’ breed—probably identical with the ‘Grass breed’ above mentioned. These two gentlemen bred carefully and with good judgment, and finally bred the best animals of each herd together. At this juncture—1848—the twin brother of Kneeland Todd, bought a boar from Mr. Mead of Norwalk, Ohio, of what Mr. Mead called the ‘Large Grass Breed, and this boar was used on the Todd-Hoskin stock with great success. About 1862, the same gentleman purchased a white boar, with fine curly hair, called ‘ Normandy,’ said to be of French origin. This proved to be a valuable addition, and the combination animal thus produced became quite well known as the ‘Todd Hog’.
“Mr. S. H. Todd—a son of the originator of the Todd hog—in 1867 began crossing these animals with pure Chester- Whites, using in all some six or seven crosses, and finally producing what is now known as the Todd’s Improved Chester-White.”
238 TODD’S IMPROVED CHESTER-WHITES.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color white, with, occasionally, bluish spots on skin; hair fine and thick; head small; face slightly dished; ears fine, thin and drooping; jowl full; neck short and well arched; shoulder heavy; back straight, with broad loin; ribs well sprung, drop- ping to deep sides and low flank; hams deep and rounded; tail small, and legs fine boned and straight.
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TODD’S IMPROVED CHESTER-WHITE SOW.
The following Scale of Points was adopted by the Record Association at their annual meeting, January, 1885:
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Our illustrations, both of Chester-Whites and Todd’s Improved Chesters, can hardly be said to do justice to their respective breeds, but will serve to illustrate what- ever of difference there may be between them. Many, indeed, are of opinion, that there should be but one breed of Chester-White swine, and maintain that the two breeds here given separate Chapters will soon be combined under a compromise standard of registration.
Whether such may prove the result, or not, has no effect on the present status of the two breeds; they are given a separate class at fairs and exhibitions, and, if the combination is not made very soon, there will remain small probabilitv of a union at any time.
GOTHLANDS—VICTORIAS., 239
CHAPTER LIX.
GO HiiLvVAN Dis:
This breed, new to America, originated in Gothland, Sweden, and is said to be of remarkably pure descent, improved by care and selection, with few, if any, outcrosses.
The first importation to America was made in 1880 by 8S. V. Anderson, who brought over a few head as an experiment. Since that time, they have found consider- able fayor—mainly in Iowa and Illinois, and a Registry Association has lately been organized, of which Mr. Grant W. Spear, of Aurora, IIl., is secretary. We are indebted to Messrs. White & Conover of Lynnville, Iowa, for the following detailed
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
“They have a medium sized head, rather short nose, small ear, slightly drooping, or leaning forward; and broad between ears, and with stout heavy jaw. Top and under lines, good, girth large, length good, loin broad, flank deep, with heavy ham and shoulders, ham extremely good; legs rather short, strong and well set; hair rather fine and very thick; skin smooth and flexible; flesh nicely marbled and of excellent quality, with small per cent of shrinkage in dressing. Most of them are spotted black and white, but some you will find nearly black, while others are nearly white, according to the fancy of the breeder. If fed mostly on nitrogenous foods they will grow to a very large size; or if early maturity is desired, by good feeding with plenty of corn and skimmed milk, they may be brought to maturity much sooner, often weighing 350 to 400 pounds at one year of age. They are not coarse, but a hog of medium size; neither are they as round and chubby as the Yorkshire, but have a much larger per cent of lean meat and muscle. As to their health, they have proven them- selves to be exceedingly healthy and rugged; they endure our winters nicely, as they are a native of a cold climate. They are a quiet, docile animal, about like the Poland-China, which breed they resemble in their general make-up and disposition, more than any other of our native breeds, but are stronger and more vigorous. They make excellent mothers.
“They are an excellent hog to ship, having as they do a short strong leg, strong heavy loin, and rather short back. Crippled and broken-down hogs are very scarce. They are a good hog to follow cattle as they are not easily disabled.”
CHAPTER LX.
VICTORIAS. (ORIGINATED BY F. D. CURTIS.)
There are, unfortunately, two distinct and separate breeds of swine, each called “ Victoria.” Col. F. D. Curtis of Charlton, N. Y., stock, and a prolific writer on agricultural topics,—some twenty-five years ago, began
well known as a breeder of fine
a system of crossing with several varieties of English swine, in the hope of dropping
240 VICTORIAS.
the objectionable characteristics, and combining the good points of each in a separate breed. In this he has been successful, so far as fixedness of type is concerned, his breed receiving the following recognition and complimentary notice from the National Swine Breeders’ Convention, 1872:
“The family of pigs known as Victorias, originated with Col. Frank D. Curtis, Kirby homestead, Charlton, Saratoga Co.,N. Y. They were made by crossing the Byfield hog with the native in which there was a strain of the Grazier. Subsequent crosses were made with the Yorkshire and Suffolk; the result being a purely white hog of medium size. The name has no significance, unless it is intended as a compliment to the English Queen. These pigs, if pure bred, should all have a direct descent from a sow called Queen Victoria, which may be said to be the mother of the family. She was pronounced by good judges to be almost perfect and was the winner of a number of first prizes.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
We may best explain their peculiarities, by another reference to the above report, signed by the chairman of the committee, Chas, E. Leland:—
“The color is pure white, with a good coat of soft fine hair; the head thin, fine and closely set on the shoulders; the face slightly dishing; the snout short; the ears erect, small and very light or thin; the shoulders bulging and deep; legs short and fine; the back broad, straight and level, and the body long. The hams round and swelling and high at the base of the tail, with plates or folds between the thighs; the tail fine and free from wrinkles, or rolls; feathers or rosettes on the back are common; the skin is thin, soft and elastic; the flesh fine grained and firm, with small bone, and thick side pork. The pigs easily keep in condition, and can be made ready for slaughter at any age.”
And now a word as to the unfortunate naming of these two distinctly different breeds. We have no interest in either breed, and shall try to give an impartial review of the case from both sides. To this end, we have placed them under separate head- ings, distinguishing each breed by the name of its originator. Would it not be the part of wisdom, since both parties seem so enamored of the present name—to call the breed just described the Curtis Vicrorras, and the other the Davis Vicrortias, each in honor of its founder? The breeds are certainly different, and must be disasso- ciated in the public mind. We make the suggestion in good faith, and earnestly hope, that breeders concerned will accept at least something equivalent.
CHAPTER LXI.
VICTORIAS.
(ORIGINATED BY GEO. F. DAVIS.)
A new breed produced within the last decade, by a judicious blending of the blood of four different breeds—Poland-China, Chester- White, Berkshire and American or White Suffolk, Previous to 1882, breeders of the Davis Victorias, were compelled to show their animals as grades at fairs and Fat Stock Shows; but at the annual meet- ing of the Illinois State Board, in the year mentioned, they were given a class by themselves, and were admitted on an equal footing with other swine, as forming a
VICTORIAS. 241
i \ \
DAVIS VICTORIA BOAR, DANDY,
At seven months; winner of sweepstakes over all breeds shown at the World’s Industrial and Cotton Exposition, New Orleans, La.; property of Gro. F. Davis, Dyer, Ind.
pure and distinct breed. At the Illinois State Fair in 1882, Mr. G. F. Davis, of Dyer, Ind.,—the originator of the breed,—exhibited a small herd in competition with Chester- Whites, winning first and second prizes on boars, second on sows under one year old, and in the breeders’ ring the herd premium of $25.00 for best boar and four sows. In 1885, Mr. Davis exhibited his herd at the World’s Industrial and Cotton Exposition, New Orleans, La., his seven months old “ Dandy” (see illustration) winning the grand sweepstakes over all breeds shown. Why Mr. Davis adopted the name “© Victoria” we cannot see; possibly he was unaware of the existence of the Curtis Victorias, already described. Certainly Mr. Curtis has a prior claim to its use, but the point must be settled by breeders, and we predict will be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, white; size medium to large, weighing at ten to twelve months 300 to 400 pounds; head small and finely dished, not so short as the White Suffolk or Small Yorkshire, with erect or only slightly drooping ears, and heavy, firm jowl; back straight and broad; shoulders deep and square; hams full and low, and legs short, with fine but firm bone.
The following Scale of Points was adopted by the Victoria Swine Breeders’ Association, at the Chicago meeting, June, 1887:
ColOmnn . pyrene oe ener ertae a ceiets 2 IROnWald pats chi teiereo era 11 JB REE Vs HARRIS tue aic) fier acer RIO a oe Se SHOULMErS Ha cleks rs cra Conners cei shorn Se " IEEATS RAS aj Avcucne cae Grepo sie pelecart ceo aa Pee Girth anoundalreanten eemeenrceeiae 6 ROWS eia ras carat aces pom cee aeiete i eB aces yaristors thas sracemepe ete torte as 12 ING GE Fas cite ce tos cide nan Cee ee SIGS og tener ete ee ee erat 6
242 VICTORIAS—CHESHIRES.
FOnWardlacne Gch ok Cee 42 OR WAR Ci aeey tas erasures ore He Ralbsitarereeeene eis foe he ce Oe Ie hl oy ASC RS 45 onc yrvetauthe cree sral te iene eer 3 US OL se ee oles ohe Seccesee cai eee Oe IPod Nasa SiN PNAC Cees atte a one 3 Bilan oe rors ssi c2 « ays olgns stale yale ee he a eh Pea arr, ae MBE ELMaLtE a's nimera crete. fb 3 EL arma eroosperssie te :sisibcons Ghar hee Te PA CHOM a. See eae Aut Sot eee ee 4 PLAT ARR sc cig lasek eye ne Ee 2. SOY Min ethyet ae certs Coed oetacea al 10
Forward ja oe eee eee V7 Perfection’. ) 7 caine clots 100
Their breeders claim for them an unusual economy in production of flesh. The sows produce large litters and are good mothers; they stand board floors remarkably well, and it is claimed that they are not so susceptible to mange, scurf, sun-scald and similar troubles, which have made buyers—especially in the South—fight shy of white hogs in general. There is ample room for both of the Victoria breeds, and we are glad to notice their rapid advancement in public favor wherever introduced.
CHAPTER LAXIl.
CHESHIRES.
At our request, Mr. R. D. Button, a leading breeder of Cheshires, Cottons, N. Y., very carefully prepared an outline of history and characteristics of the breed, and the article so nearly expresses our own opinions that, with some minor changes, and with Mr. Button’s permission, we publish in full:
“Jefferson Co., N. Y., is, without doubt, the birth place of this breed of swine, and to A. C. Clark is universally conceded the honor of having given them a name and character. The sires he used were Yorkshires, belonging to that family of English hogs known as the ‘ Large White’ breed. Breeders are not all agreed as to what dams were used; many believing that the first dam was a large white sow imported from Cheshire, Eng., to Albany, N. Y. She was taken to Jefferson Co., by Mr. A. C. Clark, and used as the leading factor in making up his herd. Mr. Clark was a breeder with sound judgment and good sense, and he early perceived the docility and motherly qualities of this dam and her progeny, and by judicious crosses and careful selections he in time produced a herd of swine that were uniform in size and characteristics. His herd was shown at many of the leading fairs of New York, and notwithstanding the fierce rivalries of other breeders, Mr. Clark carried away many of the honors for large white breeds.
“ There are breeders who profess to believe that the imported sow was a myth, and assert that Mr. Clark used only the best white sows of his neighborhood, and when he found a better sow than his, he bought and used her, if she proved a satisfactory breeder. We are, however, of the belief that the Albany sow was a truth and verity, and found that belief on repeated statements of Ezra J. Clark (Son-in-law of A. C. Clark, and afterward, owner of his herd), with whom we were intimately asso- ciated for a number of years in breeding, selling and exhibiting Cheshire swine. Mr. Ezra J. Clark always maintained that A. C. Clark bought and used the Albany sow as his prime factor, and all reports of buying and using only native sows had their origin in the fertile brains of rival breeders and exhibitors. Between 1850 and 1865 Mr. Clark was a leading breeder and exhibitor in New York, and fought both wordy and legal battles for his favorites. Business complications arising, he sold his interest and good will to Ezra J. Clark who associated with him Mr. McLean, and afterward Daniel
CHESHIRES. 243
Green, under the firm name Clark & Green. In 1870 this firm made an exhibit at the leading western fairs, ending with the great St. Louis Fair, where they won the $500.00 offered by the pork packers, for the best herd for packers uses. This breed had been widely disseminated during these exhibitions, but the low price for pork during the following years was so discouraging, that many sold or butchered their stock, and engaged in more remunerative pursuits. The old Clark herd was still retained in its purity, although greatly reduced in numbers.
“ About 1875, several parties in Madison Co., N. Y., were engaged in breeding Cheshires; and, with different ideas of what a Cheshire should be, bred for earlier maturity, and a shorter body and head. About 1882 a few of the prominent breeders began to talk of forming a register, and in Jan., 1883, a call was issued for breeders to meet at Syracuse, N. Y. But little was accomplished, however, owing to jealousies between the different sections and breeders. Several subsequent meetings were held, and by mutual concessions, it was agreed to adopt the following
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
“Head short to medium in length, short in proportion to length of body; face somewhat dished and wide between the eyes; ears small, erect, in old animals often pointing slightly forwards; neck short; shoulders broad and full, hips broad; body long, broad and deep; hams broad, nearly straight with back, and running well down towards hock; legs small and slim, set well apart, and supporting the body on the toes; tail small and slim; hair fine, medium in thickness and quantity; color white, a few blue spots ‘in skin not to disqualify, but objectionable. When grown and well fattened, should dress from 400 to 600 lbs.
Scale of Points: To be used with description given above:
IS ICEL 4 pag bagnee Jaan TbGeneS h HOODnEOU Done aE 8 onward lis miereciore afore sie? ale. sielelnieisis (eye's 56 ACEI reectsters feats bicielevereleioioielisreie asieie sete) \aicte’ ic}. BIKES Geen co.0ocOCOsnoe RaSH OO OCAG. Anon oner 10 IBENS), ata BARRO On ODOC UOIIE RCCT OT CEO ETA ae fi) MEGBpodagoooaana doornnor sanbpocdoroomauar 10 INIGON CBs Gaspooan Coe SnCekas DORE DO nar enrer by, Sarton Sacbpobs coo. cooodemennc OO OONn Ter 5 Ryo@wila Bras ode doo soe DaCE nC OU GU CUO UODE US iki) 2 Cll co nipdoodouciotinococacUpantatoon mood] 5 IBbINTS a5 abe ORI TU eee COPE OCOD OED RICHARD NNR Cs) GPA aMoncs concn obits opis Onno sUrtmoos 4 ISON? oa ce See ee aoe bce COR COOO EA AE Secornte LOM Generalvap pearance secre eice ceictelsinies bieteie <= 10
IM ALE ls000 bond Godcne Ganeoap ead 56 Rertectionwerntays(di-tstsietetete rian oct 100
“ Cheshires are now given a separate class at most of the large fairs, and are regularly shown at the various exhibitions in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other States.”
Another opinion reaches our hands as to the origin of Cheshire swine; and com- ing, as it does from the pen of Mr. E. W. Davis, of Oneida, N. Y., secretary of the
ATT) NN Ni WYN) | i JK) I } Ud) NV) VASA \ if YANN ag WW Galen ge CHESHIRE BOAR. Property of E. W. Davis, Oneida, N. Y.
v4
244 CHESHIRES—SMALL YORKSHIRES.
Cheshire Swine Breeders’ Association, we have taken the liberty to make the follow- ing extract:
“The hog known as Cheshire, was first bred by A. C. Clark, of Jefferson Co, N. Y. He commenced with an imported Large Yorkshire boar, and bred upon the best common sows he could find. These common sows were all white, and were grade Suffolk, Small Yorkshire etc.; selections were carefully made from these, and after a time, another Large Yorkshire boar from imported stock was used. There was a story that a sow was imported from Cheshire, England, but that is wholly a myth. I have investigated the matter carefully, and those who ought to know if there was ever any such importation know nothing of it, and unhesitatingly say, there was never any such importation.”
The above shows plainly a difference of opinion as to the reputed “ Cheshire” or “Albany” sow; as it is simply a matter of belief with both parties—no definite proof being available on either side—we prefer to give the opinions as we receive them, without further comment than to say that both gentlemen are known to be careful, reliable breeders, thoroughly impressed with the superior merits of their favorite swine. In the South, Cheshires are scarcely known at all, and would doubtless fall heir to the same troubles which have thrown other white breeds into disfavor with southern farmers.
The illustrations of Daisy 2nd and Vulcan—which were engraved after accurate sketches from life—give a good idea of the appearance of the breed. Mr. Davis writes:
“ They are not fancy pictures, but are the work of one of the best artists, and I instructed him to reproduce the animals exactly.”
CHAPTER LXIII.
SMALL YORKSHIRES.
This breed, which is quite well known in the United States, may be traced directly to the old York and Cumberland breeds of England; indeed, it may be well
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YORKSHIRES.
246 SMALL YORKSHIRES.
claimed by their breeders, that the Small York is of line pure descent. Probably no other breed of modern times, save, perhaps, the Essex, is more nearly thoroughbred in fact, or has less admixture of other blood. The breed is peculiar to Yorkshire, England, and has been known as such for many years.
Introduction into the United States was first accomplished about the year 1860; but it is only within the last few years that the Small Yorks have attracted much attention on this side of the Atlantic. A record has been established (Geo. W. Harris, of New York City, is the present Secretary), and the breed is quite prominently advertised in most of our agricultural and live stock publications.
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
Color, pure white with pinkish skin, occasionally darker spotted under the hair; size, small to medium—weighing, when mature, from 375 to 450 pounds. The body is short, rounded and deep; head, short; face, sharply dished; jowl and neck heavy; short fine legs, and thick rounded quarters. They are hardy, and well covered with hair—hence not so liable to mange and sun-scald as are many of the white breeds; they are quiet, excellent range or grazing hogs; and are remarkably prepotent—the pigs from York boars being uniformly white, and possessing the early maturing quali- ties of the breed in marked degree. In the South, the Small Yorks do as well as any of the white breeds, but cannot compete with their colored rivals in hardiness.
The following Scale of Points has been adopted by the American Small York- shire Club:
STM ALL ye cayer covets) a aol Wass rarsvslarelsveiavs,ahets orate] sfale cladeicre miele) ater ee 2) INOSeNShontnessiof ponents odes acta eoeee cere 5 JEON) coGdounon ID ISHVOL IE ACES 1. etesaporste yaw wseiea ster je aqslafsVolejctele asters mietere 3 - 15—Heap. Widthibetweenithe Bars cersiyete weterarele tse crore eieted eeciaiieiciae 3 | Ears—Small; Dhin, and Prect......... .cc0cceccceacees 2 Top line Straight from Shoulder to Tail............... 5 Bottom, or Belly line......... TJoseKgnD Dodo a opSe o45~ 3 Wen oth rere ve torercteretstorie) aierel= Siero eicrepe ete tesa ee 10 TRUNKS seis Sn MD epthtarierenperer eres sictets sie ators: scot need saislanree Gee eee 5 p 38d0—TRUNK. Width; even'from \Sfoulder to Hamt.ccc..c<. 6 ssc eos 5 Breadth obeoine ee) 3.0. srs! asters teicinte hae eee 5 MlankwDeepmandphulls >... fen viientemi emer eninteisenece 2 Wen eth VeKtical taxcsscet + cuss sielesslettaclernals arate ere eens 10 FUAMIS eit trac Breadth-sHronttolear, s.r as cerita metre eee 5 25—Hams. ARBICKMESS ae phere acrs sce. < aracatsisietaya tore av oleialele elad reecreaeecer ste 10 (Breadth ahrontitosheatieaincetcteetlaeiinereacraee ere 3 ” SHOULDERS ) GH eee : 25 5—SHOULDERS. \Philediooudoqane sdganboe axed coud Caowoupgoadscobat cénan 5) ECS: U’Straipht feetiset upice ac ntacoser hee chonerilsan sehen Epi nee: mee) ( Not Zoo thin, nor ridgy nor coarse............+.+.0.0+- 2) 5 Bese sce ( Free from eruption and discolored spots...........-..- B15 Paes IBUNER socoonoAdc sebullcoatiand ier GddobonoAdoonaDoco6eE 5 | 5—Harr. PERE CTIO Nes orsjc elorers1s cor a ol seis eles siciafoe dae ete cee 100
Our illustration is a good likeness of the noted prize-winning boar Success 2nd, property of W. C. Norton, Agent, “Ridge Farm Herd,” Aldenville, Pa.
ESSEX. 247
CHAPTER LXIVv.
ESSEX.
This breed takes its name from the county or shire of Essex, England, where it originated. The old Essexshire hog was large, gaunt and “ slab-sided,” with a color varying for each individual animal. About 1830, Lord Western imported from Italy, a boar and sow of the breed of Naples. According to Professor Long, he failed in his attempts to breed these black Neapolitans pure, and finally began crossing on the native breed. From Long’s book of the Pig, we quote:
“The result was highly satisfactory, and the new variety was commonly successful at every agricultural show at which they were exhibited.”
Lord Western bred them a number of years, but they at last began to lose some- what their vigorous thrift and hardy constitution. At this juncture a tenant of his lordship—Mr. Fisher Hobbes—turned his attention to their breeding, still further improved them, fixed the type, and called them the “ Improved Essex.”
In America, the Essex has become well known, particularly so at the South— Col. Richard Peters, of Atlanta, Ga., being one of the first importers, and, with Mr. Harris, of Rochester, N. Y., steadily pushing the Essex breed with all energy. Ina recent letter to the Author, Col. Peters says:
“T commenced breeding from the English stock in the year 1856, and have kept them pure, with some of the original blood in their veins, having obtained, with much difficulty, an occasional pure-bred to avoid close in-and-in breeding.”
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The modern American-bred Essex, is a small to medium sized hog, weighing
248 ESSEX.
from 250 to 400 pounds at maturity, black, or more properly, ash-black in color—with fine head, short nose, beautifully dished face, erect thin ears, heavy jowl, short neck, close “ chunked” body, and short, firm boned legs. They fatten easily, range well, are not troubled with mange or sun-scald, and dress as large a proportion of live weight as any known breed. Where the larger hogs thrive, and corn is cheap, as in the western United States, we doubt much if the Essex can ever compare profitably with the Poland-China or Duroc-Jersey; but in the South, where, unfortunately, Cotton is still King, we have not found its equal. We have heard some objections to the Essex because he “ gets too fat;” we can only suggest, in answer to this, that we beg to be excused from a close acquaintance with a hog that gets too lean; tendency to fatten quickly means giving a greater return for food invested. In an experiment conducted under the direction of the Author, 1884, it was found that it took the following weights of food to produce 100 pounds of gain—live weight—with representatives of four different breeds:
Essex, - - 285 pounds to produce 100 pounds gain. Duroc-Jersey, = 296) “ “ ‘“ “ Poland-China, 300 “ “ “ “« Berkshire, - =e AS hy “ “ 6 “
The Duroc-Jerseys were not quite pure bred, having a strain of Poland-China in their veins; the Berskhires were placed at a disadvantage by reason of a slight indisposition so that really they should be thrown out of the experiment altogether, but the Essex—thoroughbreds—showed the high assimilating power of the breed in a very substantial manner. For the southern farmer, we cannot recommend a better hog than the Essex, unless the Duroc-Jerseys shall, as they promise, still further improve. An American-Essex Breeders Association has been lately organized, with W.M. Wiley of New Augusta, Ind., Secretary, and the following Scale of Points has been adopted:
Colona oo ote niece eck: 2 Forward rss \autscrsceniarets 49 1S 4: 1o Matyas aeeer irve len eel tre Eyer Sila acne 3) eM seis eo ee Oe On eee 12 ATS cic cate eiareteos cosh acre aneremensaepes rere. Laks 20 lane Sk hrateewentetceh nner: ae ayaa 2 oxida tne LO aco noe tate SLi igre aie eos vole ohane che seeenaeotene 12 1S Pye) Faieenie Bee teneni Sena rent ic Seopa OCR Se dualllane eeeee RR am Pee ce is ip 2 Shoulders): cice:gete isi eeen a esiess ates FT ua @ GTS! Seve cyt araentel Mevie Spegcee tae tene Teta RR meet 3 Girthwaround Mheattya prises =i Gin gears is rysicacie tke rermercteers J eharsinkel siehopere 3 BRAG ae ico akc hehe eee ous foie eaney steers Mico RD air ete etse cothene hale sate DAOC CRE eee SIGS Ganu mo Gace. co Coombe o.cmbme inn a GMuShpaMNSiGy posavooeoddusoscocs Saye el) TERSTIDS fave char tases was Seen Ra eee ce a lebiacts cane res ay Te A CHOM ee ae tats unieleslayeteval sucue oy renenemenenel +
NEAPOLITANS—ENGLISH, OR BLACK SUFFOLK. 249
CHAPTER LXV.
INCE AVE: Onl, LoeAGINES:.
The Neapolitan, although not bred at present in the United States (unless, per- haps, a few may be found in the vicinity of New York), deserves a place among the breeds now known in America, from the fact—if for no other reason—of its having taken so important a part in the foundation of the Essex breed. The Neapolitan is a native of Italy, and is supposed to be descended from eastern stock, brought in by the early Italian voyagers. Youatt (Youatt on “The Pig”) says of the Neapolitans, that they are “black, or rather brown, with no bristles, and consequently delicate when first introduced into our northern climate.” They resemble the modern Essex somewhat, but are almost destitute of hair, and the head and front parts are lighter and more bony. From the report of the National Swine Breeders’ Convention, Nov. 20th, 1872, we clip the following detailed
DESCRIPTION OF THE NEAPOLITAN:
“Head small; forehead bony and flat; face slightly dishing; snout rather long and very slender; ears small, thin, standing forward nearly horizontal, and quite lively; jowls very full; neck short, broad, and heavy above; trunk long, cylindrical and well ribbed back; back flat and ribs arching even in low flesh; belly horizontal on the lower line; hind quarters higher than the fore, but not very much so; legs very fine, the bones and joints being smaller than those of any other breed; hams and shoulders well developed and meaty ; tail fine, curled, flat at the extremity, and fringed with hair on each side; general color, slaty or bluish-plum color, with a cast of coppery red; skin soft and fine, nearly free from hair, which, when found upon the sides of the head and behind the fore-legs, is black, soft and rather long; flesh firm and elastic to the touch.”
They are considered too delicate for American farmers, and will probably never be extensively introduced, unless the breed should undergo an almost complete trans- formation.
CHAPTER LXVI.
ENGLISH, OR BLACK SUFFOLK.
In America, there is such a common impression that the Suffolk is a white hog, that it is necessary to treat of the two breeds under different heads. We have never seen a specimen of the pure Black Suffolk, but we give a description based upon that given by the best English authors of modern times. The origin of the breed is at
250 ENGLISH, OR BLACK SUFFOLK—AMERICAN, OR WHITE SUFFOLK.
best doubtful; probably the Neapolitans formed much of the basis of modern Suffolk excellence, and indeed some are of the opinion that the Essex, Black Dorset, and Black Suffolk are merely different strains of the same breed. According to descrip- tions and portraits, it would seem that the Dorset very closely resembles the Essex, but not so with the Black Suffolk, as will be seen from the following
DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS:
The head is short; snout turning up, not quite so much as in the Small Yorks, but yet showing much of similarity to that well-known breed. The body is deep with well sprung ribs dropping to flattened sides, and short, sm:ll boned legs from bulging quarters. Their characteristics may be summed up as follows: Early maturity; medium size, great aptitude to fatten, high dressing qualities, and a black color which withstands the effect of summer heat.
We are not aware that any of the Black or English Suffolks are bred in the United States. The breed might find some favor here, but their white namesakes have become so well known and so widely disseminated, that it would be well nigh impossible at this late day to change the nomenclature of the breed.
CHAPTER LXVII.
AMERICAN, OR WHITE SUFFOLK.
Is an undoubted descendant of the English York and Cumberland breeds, resem- bling the Small Yorkshire of to-day so closely in all points except size—Suffolks being
somewhat larger—as to preclude any necessity for further description. Many writers class the Suffolk and Cheshire together as representatives of the “ Middle White” breed of England. We believe, however, that Professor Long, in his “ Book of the Pig,” comes nearer the truth, when he states that the Suffolk as a white hog is only recog- nized in America, whereas in England—its supposed home—it has been absorbed into what he calls the “ English Small White Breed,’ of which the Small Yorkshire is the representative in America.
If we were to state any point of difference, other than noted above, between Suffolks and Small Yorks, it would be to compare faces. Yorkshire breeders have shortened in the face, and made a trifle sharper “dish” than is the case with the Suffolk. The latter is about the best type of the old Chinese hog that we now have, and displays such a tendency to extreme fat
“‘chufliness””—as to amount, with many, to a decided objection. From the report of the National Swine Breeders’ Conven-
119)
tion, 1872, we quote the following detailed
DESCRIPTION OF AMERICAN SUFFOLK:
“Head small, very short; cheeks prominent and full; face dished; snout small and very short; jowl fine; ears short, small, thia, upright, soft and silky; neck very short and thick, the head appear- ing almost as if set on front of shoulders, no arching of crest; chest wide and deep—elbows standing
AMERICAN, OR WHITE SUFFOLK—-HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE, ETC. 251
out; brisket wide but not deep; shoulders thick, rather upright, rounding outwards from top to elbow; crops wide and full; long ribs, well arched out from back; good length between shoulders and hams; flank well filled out, and coming well down at ham; back broad, level, straight from crest to tail, no falling off or down at tail; hams wide and full, well rounded out, twist very wide and full all the way down; legs small and very short, standing wide apart—in sows, just keeping belly from the ground; bone fine, feet small, hoofs rather spreading; tail small, long and tapering; skin thin, of a pinkish shade, free from color; hair fine and silky, not too thick; color of hair pale yellowish white, perfectly free from any spots or other color; size, small to medium.”
CHAPTER LXVIII.
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE.
The breeding and handling of swine is something of far more importance than is generally supposed by a great majority of our farmers—those who should be, really, best informed on the subject. The amount of pork that is consumed yearly in the United States is enormous, and gives something of an idea of the magnitude of the swine industry. Many seem to think that the breeding of swine requires only a little of the skill and foresight which is recognized as being of prime necessity in the hand- ling of any of the other races of domestic animals; but to such as have tried it we need not say the idea is a mistaken one. True it is, that not so much of close attention, and tender petting and care to keep them from the rugged blasts of winter, and the fierce, scalding heat of summer, is always given; but it may be stated as an axiom, that good care pays as well with hogs as it does with any other race of live stock. There is something fascinating about the feeding and handling of a yard full of swine —a sort of pleasurable excitement in, day by day, watching their growth, and noting their greedy appetites. Someway, the farmer always feels that an animal is gaining when it eats, and a hog that wont eat is not the one that makes the profit for his owner.
We may state it as an indisputable fact, that no other animal sustains such a close relation to the farmer’s profit and loss account, as does the hog, and the reason is obvious; there is always more or less waste—generally more—about a farm-house, that cannot be utilized in any other way than by feeding it to hogs. It matters not how careful the farmer’s wife may be, she cannot prevent this constant waste from the table, and the pig-pen is the natural and legitimate avenue through which it can be turned to account. Every gallon of house-slop has a certain definite value, and, although it is impossible to rate its worth in dollars and cents on account of the fact that there is great difference in richness of the portions thrown from different tables, yet we may say in a general way, every four to seven gallons of such waste is equiva- lent to one pound of pork when properly fed in connection with grain or other food
stuffs. Perhaps the most common mistake made by the average farmer, is to adopt one
252 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE.
of two extremes—either feed entirely on dry corn, all the animals will eat, or allow them to range freely on what is supposed to be good grass, and expect them to grow fat and contented without other food. In the first place, no hog can stand full feeding on dry corn alone for many weeks in succession; he may not become diseased, so far as appearance and action are concerned, but the fevered condition due to feeding corn exclusively is sure to be there, and only time is required to bring it out. Do not think that we would underrate the value of corn in fattening hogs—we are too well aware of its importance in swine feeding to make any statements that are not pretty strongly based on a good foundation—but we do question whether, as generally fed, there is not more loss than gain in its use. It is a mistake to suppose that when corn is cheap it can be fed at a profit, regardless of other conditions; the hog demands a variety, and will not give greatest return for time and food invested, unless this variety is given. More than this, the hog requires bulky food, not highly concentrated, and to provide this, something besides corn is necessary.
Concerning the second practice, we may say: In a large section of the country, hogs are allowed to range on grass, and are fed corn to “harden the flesh,” and pre- pare the animal for market; such treatment is little better than the other extreme, for it is no longer a disputed point, that hogs, full-fed on proper diet, will make a much greater relative return for food consumed, than if the same food is given, but in smaller quantity. We cannot protest too strongly against the custom of allowing hogs to run wild the first year (stock-hogs), and feeding heavily for a short time just before plac- ing on the market; it is a waste in two directions: (1) loss of time, and consequent joss of interest on investment; and (2) a very great loss by reason of the constant exertion required to secure whatever sustenance they may from the grass at their com- mand; all exertion is work, and all work has a natural tendency to decrease the pro- duction of fat. It is urged in favor of this system, that while the hog is running at large, he is growing, and that if fed for early market, this growth will be lost; those who argue on this line forget that the object in raising stock of any kind, is to realize the greatest profit in the shortest possible space of time. There is only one reason (perhaps two) that should cause a farmer to carry over a stock of hogs to fatten the succeeding winter, and that is, market: we have always been of opinion that farmers are to blame, primarily, for the low prices at which their pork is sold; if they would get out of the old ruts, and pay off their debts in some other way than by sacrificing a crop at the lowest point of the market to do it, they would soon be in condition to bid defiance to the periodical depressions that affect the market; every farmer should study the maket as closely as he studies the weather, and when there is good promise of better prices in the future, it may be profitable to hold.
Another thing which is in favor of early and high feeding, is the fact that buyers
pay more per pound for shoats—say, eight to ten months old, and this class of hogs is always in demand when old and “short-fed” hogs can hardly be sold at any price. To the practice of growing and selling the hog crop between tax dates—defrauding Uncle Sam out of his dues—we cannot forbear calling attention. The plan may be of doubtful propriety, but so long as taxes are rendered at a certain date each year, the farmer can avoid taxes on his entire fat hog crop, as legitimately as can the banker by collecting all the greenbacks possible to have on hand the first day of January.
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The sows are bred about the middle to the last of September of each year, bringing their litters about the middle to the last of January following, and the pigs are fat- tened and sold at an age—anywhere from eight to eleven months, and out of the way before the next annual date for the rendition of taxes. It may shock some of the literal upholders of law to know that many farmers are actually doing this very thing, but such is the fact; the hog is to the farmer, what the greenback is to the money lender, and who shall dispute his equal right to use him in an equally legitimate way.
While speaking of the proper food for hogs, we may notice some very interest- ing experiments that have been carried on—first by Professor Sanborn of Mo., and
more recently by Professor Henry of Wis.—regarding the relative effects of fat and
carbhydrates as compared with albuminoids in the production of flesh and fat in the body. According to these experiments, and they are certainly accurate, it is found that a diet made up largely of protein (albuminoids), causes a very much larger pro- portion of lean meat; while a diet composed mainly of the starchy elements (carb- hydrates) and fat, gives a very large proportion of fat, which is scattered through the body in bunches. To sum up, in the words of Professor Henry, the experiments show that when there is an excessive proportion of carbhydrates in the food, or a cor- responding deficiency of protein:
“1st. That there is an excessive development of fat not only on the outside of the muscles and beneath the skin, but also among the muscles. :
“2nd. That the muscles of the body fail to develop to their normal size, especially some of the most important ones, as those along the back.
“3d. That an abnormally small amount of hair and thin skin results.
“4th. That while the brain, heart and lungs do not seem to gain in weight, the spleen, liver and kidneys are unusually small.
“5th. The amount of blood in the body is greatly reduced from the normal.
“6th. The strength of the bones may be reduced one-half.”
The practical value of these results, to the farmer, has been disputed, but they certainly teach a very important scientific truth. The farmer wants to know the exact ration that will give the greatest gain in live weight—be it muscle or fat—in proportion to food consumed, always keeping the animal in healthy condition; and it may be noted that, until buyers can be educated up to the point of appreciating the superior value of lean pork over fat, it will hardly pay to put any extra expense into hog feeding to obtain this large proportion of lean meat. The health of the animal is of prime importance, and we may be pardoned for saying that herein lies the great value to the farmer, of the lesson drawn from Professor Henry’s experiments; it is a fact, as stated above, that corn is not a good food-stuff for exclusive feeding, and the experiments by the Professor, seem to show the reason. Corn is deficient in protein, and is not, therefore, a good food unless supplemented by something richer in this element. The remarks by Mr. T. G. Terry, before the Indiana Swine Breeders’ Association, Indianapolis, Ind., January, 1888, illustrate very aptly the exact place filled by the results of these experiments, and we quote his statements in full as reported in the Breeders’ Gazette, of February Ist, 1888:
“JT have made a good many experiments in feeding, commencing back in 1869, and have tried
different plans, and last fall I made the most successful experiment in feeding for lean for my own pork. When I killed one of the pigs (a cross-bred Cheshire-Poland-China), it happened to be just
254 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE.
the time Professor Henry’s experiments were published, and I will say that taking the center cut of the ham it did not have fat enough to fry it. The pig was six months old, and dressed 135 lbs. I fed it on oats, bran and shorts, and nothing else (no milk), and the verdict of those who ate the pork was that it was the nicest and juiciest ever put into their mouths. I am feeding all my pigs intended for family pork in that way. It may cost more, but for our own eating we can afford it.”
This last statement contains the milk of the cocoanut. It may cost more, undoubtedly does cost more, to feed protein than to feed starch; the thinking, reason- ing, farmer will, therefore, feed just such proportion of this valuable ingredient as will bring highest returns in gross weight, and no more—since the buyer will pay no more for lean meat than for fat; but when it comes to feeding for the home barrel, we can afford to put a little extra expense into the feed in order to produce an extra amount of, that richest of all meats, lean pork.
We had no idea of writing an essay on the feeding of swine,—the reader can obtain more valuable information from the statements of actual methods pursued by such men as are represented in the letters given below, and we must beg pardon for thus wandering so far from our intention in the preceding discussion. We may, however, state briefly a few points, as an aid in the selection of breeding stock, and trust the reader will find something of interest, if not of profit, in their perusal.
The boar is by all odds the most important, if not the largest, half of the herd, and his selection should be made with the greatest care. We do not propose to give any advice as to breed from which he should be selected; there are a good many breeds, and, from the preceding Chapters under Part Fourth, the reader may obtain that which will aid in choosing a breed best suiting his own peculiar conditions—but it may be stated, that a boar should combine the best of the dominant characteristics of the breed to which he belongs. He should be close, compact, shorter than the model, rather than longer, and should be sprightly, active and vigorous—even bold— in appearance. If breeding to secure any particular result, the boar should be selected with reference to the particular characteristics desired; if breeding to sows too long
and straight in the face—a very common fault—he should have an unusually short, and sharply dished face; if bred to sows inclined to be peaked and narrow across the back, he should have especial width and fulness in these parts; if mated with sows that are inclined to lay on fat in bunches, he should be selected from a strain or breed that is noted for interlarding its fat and lean; in brief, select the boar with reference, always, to correcting whatever evils may exist in your herd, and you will obtain satis- factory results.
The sow is selected with a view to modifying the impress of the male on their combined offspring. She controls almost entirely the number of pigs in a litter, and exercises a very important influence on their strength and stamina at the time they are ushered into the world. The sow should always be selected from a family noted for its prolifity; it is a well known fact that the quality of bearing either large or small litters, is one which runs in families, and when a sow is selected for profitable breeding she should, by all means, be taken from one of these large bearing strains. The sow should be almost the opposite of the boar in many ways—instead of being short and close-coupled, she should be long and rangy in her make up, especi- ally wide and deep at the pelvis, and with at least twelve well developed, prominent,
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nipples. As a rule, better pigs, larger litters, and greater profits will be obtained from sows fully matured in all respects; those who practice breeding young sows—turning them off for the market after one, or at most two litters, cannot compete with equally skillful breeders who breed only from mature sows. The sow should not be selected before she has reached an age of at least four or five months; about this time changes occur, which might lead to quite a different choice from selections made when the pigs were only a few weeks old. Health and constitution are two prime factors in profitable pork raising, and to secure these, both sow and boar must have a large girth back of the fore legs, and be deep and wide in the chest. Clean skin; thin, soft, glossy hair; fine, delicate ears; short, neatly dished face; short neck, and fine- boned, trimly made legs, are sure indications, in either boar or sow, that the animal will be an easy keeper; while the reverse—long head, straight nose, and narrow or flat-sided body
almost always denotes a large appetite, and not always an equivalent return. A mean between these two types will, usually, be found more profitable, and there are many breeds now known that fill this middle ground to perfection.
In the following letters will be founda good many solid facts; “nothing succeeds like success,” and the breeders who have thus given us the benefit of their experience, are all men who have made a success of the business of raising hogs—we advise a careful perusal:
Berkshires.
“Haw HILL, SPRINGFIELD, ILt., Aug. 10th, 1888. * * * *
“ Whether pigs are to be reared and sold for breeding purposes, or to be grown and fattened for market, our general rule is to breed the sows as nearly as practicable during the second week in November, the pigs will then come about the 1st of March following.
“In this latitude, with the breed we handle, nine months is long enough to allow for the grow- ing and fattening of a hog; this brings the fattened hogs into market about the first of December. The first of March is also a good time to have pigs come that are to be reared and sold as breeders. Both they and those intended for pork have the summer on grass. Ail are thus more cheaply raised, are more healthy, make better pork product, and better breeding stock. We prefer a good boar from two to five years of age to one only eight to twelve months old, though the latter may give every promise of making a very superior animal when fully matured. A young boar, however, from an early spring litter, if properly taken care of through the summer, may be used with full grown sows in November, or better a month later. The pigs will hardly be inferior in size and vigor to those sired by an older boar, particularly if the sows bred to the old boar were young or not well matured. In fact, we keep two boars all the time, often three, and when we get one that is particu- larly to our liking we use him year after year, though not, except rarely, on his own get. At the time the boars are to be used in the fall, we wish them to be in good healthy condition; the young boar growing and the old one laying on flesh as fast as his restricted allowance of feed will permit— for he should not be fed all the rich food he can eat like a fattening hog, nor as much as a young and growing boar. After he has commenced service, he is fed more liberally, depending on the amount of service required of him; and so also with the young boar—his rations are increased, though only as needed, to keep him in good vigorous condition.
“The condition of the sows at the time they are served is also a matter of importance. Having summered on grass, and being only moderately fat, they are taken up in October and put on a diet of more or less grain, depending on the weather. They take, as it were, a new start in growth, if young, or in laying on flesh if old. When they do this, and come in season, it is the right time to breed them. They are more certain to hold if served this time than later, or after they become fat. One
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good service is all that is needed. The sow is placed in a pen or yard by herself until fully over her heat. She is then put with others that have been bred. It is best not to keep more than four or five in the same yard; two or three only would be still better, though it is more trouble to have so many small lots to feed, and mere expensive making so many shelters. Some regard is also had to divid- ing them according to size.
“The time of service is noted down, and time when due to farrow—counting sixteen weeks from date of service—is also noted. From the 18th to the 21st day the sow is noticed carefully, to see if she comes in heat again. If she does, she is served, and the new date recorded. About the middle of February, or two weeks before the pigs are due, each sow is put in a comfortable pen by herself, and well bedded. Here she is gentled by the feeder, to whom she soon becomes accustomed. Her feed during this time is such as will tend to keep the bowels open. Much use of dry corn is avoided. When she makes her bed, preparatory to farrowing, care is taken that she does not have too much straw or litter to work with. Better have a warm or well-sheltered pen and less bedding, for there is much danger of the pigs being over-laid when the bedding is too plentiful or coarse. The pigs usually come strong, and soon find their way to the teats. If they are weak and helpless, it seems hardly worth while spending time with them. Half of a litter may thus be lost, and sometimes all, but if any survive they are apt to do better, and make us more money, considering time and trouble saved, than to have saved all. We are inclined to think the career of the runt pig, as a runt, begins before it is born, and comes from not being as well nourished as his fellows before entering life on his own account. The early back-set thus given the pig may doubtless be overcome, in a measure at least, by special care and liberal feeding afterwards. In cases of scarcity of stock, the extra attention given runt pigs, or those weakly at birth, may be made to pay well.
“ After the pigs are farrowed, the sow is given all the warm drink she will take. This is made by scalding wheat bran and ship stuff with hot water, and then adding cold water and skimmed milk» if the latter is at hand, until reduced to the right temperature. If given her cold at this time of year, she will go to her bed chilled and uncomfortable, but if warm and palatable, she will lay down and be quiet, while the little pigs will suck, sleep and grow strong. It is surprising how fast a few good fillings with milk, and a few good sleeps will send them along.
“The feed of the sow is but little increased during the first week or ten days. By the time the pigs are three or four weeks old, if they have done well, they will have become a real burden to the sow, and she will begin to fall off in flesh rapidly, unless in the mean time her rations have been gradually increased in richness as well as in quantity. When four weeks old, the young pigs are offered feed in a trough by themselves, where it cannot be reached by the sow. They soon learn to eat, and with this help, they grow still faster. When they are eight or ten weeks old, the sow is taken from them, or they from the sow, as is most convenient at the time. Before weaning, however, they are all carefully marked, and the marks recorded, so that the parentage of each may always be known. About two weeks before weaning, the males that are intended for pork-making are castrated. In case any of these are not fully recovered or doing well, they are left with the sow a few days or a week longer than the others.
“A few weeks after weaning, all the young boars that are to be sold for breeding purposes are separated from the others, and placed out of sight, as well as they can be, of other pigs or hogs. They are kept until sold, on grass, so far as practicable, in the orchard or small pasture, and fed on almost anything that happens to be available, only they are given very little corn. We prefer oats, rye, vegetables, purslane, and wind fallen apples. When we buy feed, it is usually wheat bran, ship stuff and oil meal [linseed] for making into swill with skimmed milk.
“The sow pigs are kept and fed in much the same way, as are also the barrows and all intended for fattening for pork, except that these last are put on more of a corn diet, early in the fall. As soon as new corn is large enough, some is cut each day and thrown to the pigs, stalk and ear together, on the ground, while they are still in the pastures. Later, the feeding stock is separated from the breed- ing stock. We try to keep the latter in good growing condition during summer and fall, but from the 1st of September to the 1st of December the others are fed with a view to fattening as well as making growth. We aim to have them weigh from 225 to 260 pounds at nine months old, and to have them sold before winter sets in. The most of the breeders are also sold by this time, though
Cas Cyt -
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE.
some of the young sows are always reserved to be bred in the fall and then sold during the winter as sows due to farrow in the spring.
“Tn this hurried recital of our methods, little has been said of the kinds and quantities of feed given, simply because what can and should be used in our climate or locality, cannot perhaps, be had in another. The pig is as omniverous a feeder as is man, and can about as readily adapt himself to the circumstances of feed and surroundings as can his keeper. For similar reasons, nothing has been said of the construction of pens and shelters. Here, hogs do well with open sheds facing to the south. With a good and dry floor, thereby insuring to the hog a dry bed, he will not suffer much in winter if reasonably well fed. If warmer quarters are provided, less feed may be required, but it is hard to draw the line between, or explain in a few words the dangers or risks of warm and poorly ventilated hog houses, as compared with the advantages and safety of less expensive and more airy quarters.
Pui. THRIFTON.”
The writer of the above needs no introduction to the reading public. The “Haw Hill” breeder is a Berkshire man all over, and one who has done much to advance the breed in popular favor. His methods are clearly outlined, and will furn- ish an excellent guide for breeders of any class of swine.
Duroc- Ferseys.
“PINEWOOD, TENN., Aug. 6th, 1888. * * * *
“We couple our sows early in November, which brings the farrowing time to the latter part of February or first of March. Pigs farrowed at this time will be ten weeks old by the middle of May, at which age they will have been weaned and ready for shipment, enabling us to get them off to their new homes before the hot weather of spring comeson. If bred for pork, we prefer that the farrow- ing should be a couple of weeks later, as the grass will, by that time, be a little further advanced, thus enabling the sows to suckle better. After the sows are bred we separate them from the herd and keep them in lots or pastures in which there is plenty of good water. We feed them so as to keep in thrifty condition, using the best variety of food that we can command. We usually feed corn, oats and cut sorghum. Sorghum we value very highly; it supplies the place of grass, as it is very sweet and juicy, and tends to keep the sows from becoming feverish, as they frequently do if fed on dry food all the time. We keep the vermin off by greasing the sows with any waste grease in which we put a little coal oil. We keep within their reach a mixture of
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“ A couple of weeks before farrowing time we remove the sow to a lot in which is a movable house 8x10, open on one side, which faces the south, the roof sloping toward the north. Into this house we throw a lot of hay out of which the sow makes her bed. The sow should be noticed a week before farrowing, and if her bowels are not open she should be fed warm bran slops which will generally open her bowels and prevent that feverish condition that is so often seen at farrowing time, and which causes so many sows to eat their pigs, or kill them by being restless, and lying on them. At farrowing time it is best to leave the sow to herself, as frequently sows are excited by the presence of some well-wisher, and in their efforts to drive off the intruder, kill the little pigs. After the farrowing is well over, and while the sow is quiet, remove any dead pigs and the afterbirth, as sometimes sows are caused to kill and eat their pigs by getting a taste of those that may be left dead in the bed. For the first day or so warm bran slops will be sufficient food to give her, after which the feed may be gradually increased until the pigs are two weeks old, by which time she should have all she will eat of as great a variety of feed as can be given her. When the pigs area little over two weeks old they will begin to eat a little slop, which should be given them in troughs about three inches deep; warm kitchen slops will be most acceptable to them, after which cornmeal, made into a thin mush and well cooked, is much relished by them. Atamonth old we give them
258 HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE.
meal raw, mixed in kitchen slops or cold water, in which a little salt is put; we sometimes give corn soaked in water for twenty-four hours, again dry corn, changing the feed to keep the appetite sharp. Care has to be exercised in feeding, as sometimes heavy feeding causes indigestion and scours which sets the pigs back several weeks, if it does not kill them. At the age of ten weeks the pigs are weaned and such as are suitable we ship or reserve for breeders; the others we castrate and spay, and place with the herd that is being handled for pork. Sometimes the pigs when a few days old are troubled by their tails and ears becoming sore. If not attended to promptly the tails fre- quently come off near the body. At the first appearance of the sores we wash the tails and ears with castile soap and anoint them with lard, in which a little carbolic acid and sulphur have been incorporated. Occasionally sows are observed to lie on their bellies and refuse to let the pigs suck; this is because the pigs bite the teats with the sharp, briery tusks; remove them with a pair of nippers, and the trouble will be removed and the pigs will be none the worse for the operation. Whether pigs are being bred for breeders or for pork the sows should be kept separate from the pork hogs, nor should many sows be allowed to carry their pigs in the same lot, for the reason that the oldest and strongest pigs will whip the smaller ones and appropriate their share of the milk as well as theirown. Pigs that are destined to be killed for pork we place in the clover fields and give them daily a feed of dry corn to keep them gentle and to push them forward. Pigs farrowed in March should, if properly handled, average 200 to 250 Ibs. by the middle of November. Those that come later are carried through the winter and killed the following winter or fattened and sold in June. S. L. Grauam & Son.”
The Messrs. Graham have our thanks for their methods in detail. The anti- septic mixture (wood ashes, charcoal, salt and sulphur) which they use, is of much more importance than many suppose; hogs fed liberally on green stuff, and given free access to simple preventives of this kind, are the last ones to succumb to attacks of cholera and other dread diseases to which the hog tribe is subject. The plan of changing food at frequent intervals, to keep the appetite sharp, should be emphasized; too many expect a hog to thrive on one particular kind of diet, and think all that is necessary is to give them plenty of it.
Small Yorkshires and Berkshires.
: “ BERMUDA PARK PLACE, GRISWOLDVILLE, GA., Aug. 14th, 1888.
“We have had some experience both at the North and in the South in breeding, and find that this section—Middle Georgia—offers the same advantages for hog raising that is found at the North. It is true that some kinds of feed, such as corn, are more expensive, but as a compensation, so much is not needed. The pastures or fields furnish more or less sustenance at all seasons of the year, and are peculiarly rich in the fall, just before the fattening season; this lightens the expense of corn feeding.
“We have made a specialty of Berkshires and Small Yorkshires. Other breeds would doubt- less do as well. In the Berkshire, we have size and weight, in the Yorkshire a compact form and quick growth. They make a good cross for fattening purposes. We keep such numbers only as the farm will support. We have the sour milk from a dairy, and can manage five hogs and pigs to each cow in milk. This gives us the coarse slops for the larger hogs, and pure milk for the pigs, which are fed separately. We feed little grain in the summer, only enough to keep the stock growing.
“We breed for two purposes—for sale as breeders and for use on the plantation. We donot breed nor dress for the shows. We have registered hogs that will go into the tub this winter. It is easier and cheaper to raise and fatten a thoroughbred Yorkshire than any grade krown to us. In order to secure health, we have the hog lots on a hill side, with pens and sheds at the upper end, and an abund- ance of pure spring water at the other. We never pen our hogs except for fattening. We never clean them except to wash pigs infected with scab or some skin disease. Hogs clean themselves in the wallow as chickens do in the dust. It is safe to keep 50 or 100 hogs and pigs together, but beyond
HINTS ON SELECTION, CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF SWINE. 259
that, remember, the danger of disease is increased. The males are changed every year or two. A good plan is for neighbors to exchange males frequently, thus insuring both health and vigor. N. G. Burr.” Mr. Buff is a breeder who has had success with white hogs in the South, but he
is located in a section that will compare favorably—as he says—with more northern
localities in this respect. In other and less fayored spots—as to water, pasture and elevation—the reports are pretty uniformly against white hogs in general, unless
handled with great care.
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Quotations in Italics.
PAGE Ea, ON ahs Ganae poncunoaaadmsantolepeag auc 54 Isfecpuaral IES) Se oedigoue sonednoo sano abo Ie 48 Bedford Swine ie iaiciave/oicletsietei=Geivisin sieistaleye seein ieee 235 Beef Breeds........ DOA BOR COOOL, 79 Is{e(eis Hsia) (Xol9 (0S 9h 0} are no Dobermann 167, 168 Belevany DO ratterectaia\islelbiehyeres ABO OK 15-17 BellewHama limits cree cs «clswrss resis > sl orleoveivae 52 Bellfounder, Imported..............-. 44, 48, 54
Belmont (American Trotter).........45, 56, 58
pr) hg (Ea 1) idadooe ppsbed aBbenocoesaareyy) IBEEKSHINES Neen raat ieee isieeivtatoriernnaits 226-229 BEES Va ALON Casters tl salalcbatatst-votarals| lactate fetetaleneiersye 38 Lyshiy7 Unda folelsly Soorignn ny ddenad Sao cdc osO nN) Bip Chinas; GS MeIME)|-/-/<jol='sVelalenlela cleletalatajeiaialaiss 229 lssreaspolenKasl((S\ip6C2)) Gonoohoncue: Goeoe oascce 229 Bishop’s Hambletonian................-....-50 Black Faced Heath Breed (Sheep) .......... 195 Blacihawike elite asects ott veielay ols ie oacrcistore sia bfelere 48 Pa atkaS LO) Kove tatatetcvelayeiaatetovets)erevaierss lelareysyaiets 249 HEC NI) TI Ksh.sdoe op od copwenan obo CouE 189 Black-( Op MerinOsnitacs-eies etelerei-i2 -\elat- ere 188-191 PR Gh- DOPE E Da SLC Pa ialetaln el clateleiafatet sia) )=1 atelcieteints 190 LAZO Bate ees coin oe, acaich trae Mieia/si ohare ote geatteratah 34, 42 ES ITTEMES Oh feyate fete a: sre vst steyatoicl chctetcatlstesetes <i s'eice/s\ che laiears 50 BIMEMES lle sadh C4 a chy ora crema rel Norse octeimiehienetanmetee 48 BO Ans Car eiOh eieieis ain a1-Vetailslefelelelereisieisi-ieie <P OOS COG ISO NAVE VICKS HOSOME Sage code UUB Soba UNG dows 115 1sforpiolts IMI Clo Aes Se rrocucocadomacbasauobe 46 IBALL. So dene dods Hasse sd boudosqes so 157 SOS iP MUMMIES !a-/sraierciele/alale tel- reer tolacs alsyelolerals 137 Teia1S WAITS... Sona SHO SG DODORO SON Ga eb AcooT dade 157 ES OULONIAAIS wopetet eta -a)aare Avictaleletctoleinia\atsiel =tarelat etal 7 Bowman, J. H. & W. R., Methods of......... 76 Brahiming atthe nce: rs cisisvsteteisentete stslcyatetels 157-160 BrahminiGrou perce sce sree ae 159 Breaking Coltemenstece rite \i/telieenrteals 75, 76, 77 Brilliant (Percheron stallion)...............- 9 BrittanyaDalecos- coder nae er 109 LaditGinhy CU tese secon sogecd ose taccegouoe: 109 IES rit LATO SPS apatite siete letetalslslciedot Pane so code 108-110 Bro warellallrsersracrarcteenvoleussis ec eiel ere ter erie) one. 54
264
INDEX.
PAGE. PAGE. Brown, Prof. Wm., Report of ........... 127,128 Cyclone (Hampshire ram)................. 2038
BLOWS WaASSicwtes oe cten ier asics creteneee eaters 105, 108 Brown SWiSs COW scrote = crests eens LOM Se DaicysBreedsiectmierelieltemeie eee cee 79 Buchoun) (Brahimins))--)s)-lele- lorena eels 157 Daisy 2nd (Cheshire sow)......-.......... 944 Buckden (English Shire stallion) ........... 28 Dandy (Davis’ Victoria boar)............-. 241 lsjeyieelkey (Ghhds masaariaood pads bse0 sooGoddaas Daay Danie lMUambertiatererretc te) teripeustt trees revaeentere 48 Bullsi@arel of... 168 W69 Onde Oede eo) ee Danieluamiberts, aber cia cy-centeitetetytebtercienet 48 Bulle ushipovavetstaevsisvere Settlers tere imate roster ome: ASW DarleypAtralbiannieetellelsiisste ets taster 8, 34, 42 IBULtOnARe nD sy LeetteraccO terse teasteiemaretere DAOEOd8) Davis Hen Wie wleettem Enon -eeieietlermiee ieee 244 Babe AN opon Woo opmaoDEdocoDococomonaSe BLE DEMIS Na@ikoeesn anodes ospauosooadct 240-242 BATS el(Siypae) aacoososennecennaddcceos note 230 ee chornin pyar oteteetctt ct 120, 122, 146, 150, 171 Delaine: ewes 2. cc. ascents eine 192 (Orc bay Oar re te Ect e Goo nitLneatos POLED O arora ADA ADSI ES HE INASINS patooeoobond soondooeis 191-193 GalvessiGare of. 168.1 GON TOS iene. lion 49. sm elainenWiOOlt city erideirciet-ista le kas ctr teieeereeiont Cally inoprerscteteereeie testator tie TGS NGOS TOW 2a ee eriissan Oy arartatatalteselets = ieee cereal t te ere ieeeeee 30 Campbell, Jno. R. Jr., Methods of...... 220 =e 21s DEVON DUM erty) loc inners ice oi reer 125 Cannock HeathySheepe-nee cones ZOOS 202 MD evionsrrsessraxs etree Prsmerteeicset eieiercleioeistorane 124-128 Canadiana? onlyar seme anttaiionl teeta sterstontie syste GO) ss iDexteng ei ct lei steye sce ite ee athe cet GArEvELorse: taco eos Maree eae 193-22) Dexter Strain of Kernies. 25.52. s-5-- eee eee Cattle, Selection, Care and Management Dickinsomiewess....-ssh.-ce. oe ee errr 187 Oda cininte is leseiatteeoetictatiais sehen tenets pels 166-174 Dickinson Metinos.........--.--»=-« 186-188 Cattle, Summary of Part Second............ 79 Dictator (American Trotter)......... 49, 50, 56 Casen ol. ettenminomcyteetlenler sce sieve H2-eDictatorss-Mhne rele prerettateielonstetsiencic Seer ean rerene 48 CaDdon Ear lofi Wiles ir LOO MD 11 On Wlae vase bt er il Oller eters ertetctetayeteteteee Lets (Clnevihyns WN > dacanbansy osoonsooouse cans AS wDiomed imported tier stein teins 44 @hreshinestaretterelelseieirecys sees Meer eee D404 Ai Dippin esis tare/elobafelclaceye svosetrciare araloee este ele eters 221 @hesteniWihitesmreeist-ctterelttatsc vert 230-200e aD Obroy shinsta eters rita rice e eee 64. COTO EAVES bos coainds pocoot cnddeade aon LOGI OAD Ocking cia eeseieeielelacteeiienl hon elven ener 223 Cheviots.................2......-.+---195-197 Dolly Varden (Hereford cow) .......-.-.-- 141 Chicago FLOVSM@n..\-/e\.\er. 2 -\21 t= aisle l= HOS Gis IDYoXoh bol Ajo tans) Gosouddu bodd boDe AGH ose6 Sc 36 ChinesepS wine. cite eerie PPL PY, Dore S\N oo gd o0d1 090 oboe bosom adC 193-195 jets (ev Sigrminsoadoopoosw boon wT oa3G sbenRE BOE MDorsetisSwine merece aeticiee cis siecle eee 250 Clavier bh erisericleisieeteisieeeer en ceterreter AGNAS) | Draft IBreedse-mic ss sreciel cle cierto ott eit if GlevelandiiB aly sieterstts -telolisiereletashe)=felege fei Bi-30" Drafts Selection) fOr jis yee .cita\-n-ssi- --len=ielsiae tes 72 Clingstone 2nd (Atwood Ram)............ 182. Duchess Family of Shorthorns......... 115, 118 Clothilde (Holstein-Friesian cow) ....... 83,85 Duchess of Smithfield (Ayrshire cow) ...... 96 Clydesdal esprit yet eth i reir teteeeee EOE VOLIECID cinnn Goon Sono JOA dnaruSceIONI OOS] S206 8 Clydesdale Stud Bookie weet cya ashe Hae 19) SD UTM AITS seheie/stelere ololsisres sto ie cle eee 113 CoffinijointhWamenessi cere erric-ariccene tr ULL ADK RSS ce noo ond soba ASAIO Gb 905C 36, 44, 232 Coltss\Carevobar: sec eles em nye cleyeie 75, 76,77 Duroe-Jersey Group .......-...-----.066: 233. Clon Reo Baa cash ie SAO R HOSE GALS 1b) Duroc-Sersey Record jee.) a te eee Conklinjs @Atbd alll alerverrrtsapnte erate eee ie GLEN DIE OLe| (OC AAAIG ABmoddoacsscnepacmon soon 282-285 @ontracted Meet iene raters ener tier PAO Abbie Shiabolsig da weclogar onmcwaboncde boat cose 232 Copper-bottoms; sbhevamemeiser een rt eee DO Dutch Belted! Gattlejaecm ere cee 98-101 Gorn hh aes eae Soledad tinea 73 Dutch-Belted Cattle Herd Book .:..........+.98 Cots wolMWE wes eons eect ree Pill! SD utch-Priesianssscha-c cs eeaecl seen 80 (CUNO, Ke po od sooo dda shoo Gagne doue QOS= 21s WD ntchamanesir ceteris ole sutart heresies 22
Cows, Care of... .168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174 Crawford Belle (Todd’s Improved Chester Earlys Mambsy-.iscicenies eh coca cee 221 SOW) yorerecm rece ett ote tetera na ororete olsiotene Dicky Iabhseenogvoocnsodsosr a coohorsacecd 34, 35, 44 (Gy iid CREO Wecees. 5 Mgt, eee tos mien Prey ie enray US Sie By air 74 — -Edward) Everetts, (Phe Saaec ces ee - eens 48 Gurtis) Victorias sens bison ote 239-240 Edward The Great (Dutch-Belted Bull)..... 99 (SU Gino Soinsuhcuds osaboa bese onedescnan case iN AVENE ac50 dobbodod onobooUnpOhE se Sede poo «54
INDEX. 265 PAGE, PAGE Elaine of Abelour (Aberdeen-Angus cow) GeorgenNeeatcheuerntermisisielletsiyloe = orsisia elsistets 48 MANOR OM Remarks soe tet te cleitia)e einict? NBT S (Georpe Wallkessc(reisiay ater steldiciel> vcore +) sisineieieisje 50 Bilectloneer icc c5/i0 sia 2. ace 52, 54,,55,'68; 62, George Wilkeses, The)... ..25...--00ces------ 48 MVIECTONCEES: LLG sy co heala Ain elac ce tttec ares Mintel a:alelerers ASS German Merinbeewcnietaiicme seelas cs etl 177, 178 BM OC a cra cr as cxch steiarntaocioheye hers iemslace wala caterers nays 86 Gestation in cows, Period of....... .... 157, 172 Emperor of Norfolk (American Thorough- Gestation in mares, Period of................ 69 YEO) aati tle ciel Wels OS o5 40) Gestationin sheep heriod\of -.<)- 12. +1)» - «ts 223 OVA op Pranibadedocdade.. Gan aodaagreseaare 42 Gestation in swine, Period of...........255, 257 DFU SITIES ocho dad doomanodddasoag0de 22-25 Gilderoy (Cl; desdale stallion) .............. 18 English (or Black) Suffolk ...........-. 229-200) \Gimeracki ics wee «a)ele ssc obiohwecloraapszar 44 English Thoroughbred, Degeneracy of ....... 385 Godolphin Barb (Arabian).............8, 34, 42 Escurial Family Merinos............... are oaks t ia Erol ls Mohbl aan omit n miAnty SoM TGC OCT eE Bite 48 Debi eCoVl Sonmdotadnyocwbocei0 A000 HoURoS LOMS S\Goldemith Matdl rn wees cspsaleeietics 2 ties erste 52 IDEAS eoag eo oa heedoade GogcOObooe on tens QA 248 (GOSS pits: cts | sletestorel jefe syolert sisietaer cries arate cbeees 54 ISS OXA SOW: ceictcucrassfis clsisto delegates velspioltiatie Siare’ara DEM AGothland sneer cicsjoisivia teres celeme Nes corset siee 239 BB yfbrairy eA] Crave aie at creteratics stern cus fo, ctetreveicleieeiar aha ates ws ASres Grand Bashawircces o.cltenecisereeite arise 46, 48 BD anwA lens wilh erracisi ttatcata shy ahatsts fiecicrar 48 Grass Breed (Swine)........ Pacnudooconesc nwt BiWesn Canciones: fos spe os. 220, 221,.222, 228 Graves, C. A., Methods of................76, 17 EIxmOOKs PONIES is etur terrae atssVele eigtaje [oss sue. shavere Giga GreentsmBashawertias acters eect na et 48 Greeny Mountainy Maid\.5.). -..\c1s2 20 ee: 52, 54 Fareeur (French Draft stallion)............. 14 Green Mountain Morgan, Hale’s............. 48 INEM a] NOT Go tise ba or do poGe ben SnoGG OF 48 Guadaloupe Family Merinos ............... 183 GAL eC lontereierseekerctetimraiets sists ise) serelcuntel ets Pil Py) (CGI Sacaroessen soghhe pep becsme 6084 91-93 eeding for Matior Wean vr ejs..n. | 0-08 Zip Yel: 6 Cth yan ae Soe C ODS DOG OO CURE eR UECECS SUAS 56 Fields, Wm. M. & Bro., Methods of.......... TOS Grose WipllseS occ dg ope caase dqogendumadoosus 54 INNO, MUN! Reoon oer oses coon CODEe jeOUnr 44 EMME TAZ lees ces sl ape a vhsisllo) craeiniete ware atahe cea lesoee 86,/38 | Hambletonian, Bishop’si10..1.--. - ce ceeere = ae 50 BMS LAVIN Srp ULL y PTOI ceo src fe lal cre/eisceveyereuctelene 108 Hambletonian, Rysdyk’s ....44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 MlanderssOratte Horse). sacle eles Sql byaltisel Owe Hambletonianss shhesesssene ecg oaeseene 48 eM Orsterersreter erator sre siete testnsislctiransfepetaneve sins (ole 52 H-a-m-i-]-t-o-n-i-a-n .................22..---50 Mian NE eadotaeeacbousadsadeddbecdae eb ane 64: oe Hamilin:scAllmon tsi) Acatect-sistacivisteisiaisisivier ciesenye 2 lOraBem Plels spices aeursateteuie see ies a ae 50 Hammond, Edwin, Certificate of............ 184 UKE verstionye mela Na raccsseys insitamiee a eect eis soto: {83 LRT OiGooomns odade oeduece oe -..-205 Bilyiney Childers so, .51+) ssn seicieleia isl elects BAN SOs AO EMMEL AIM PSHILES! «5 513) 2.s)ssiere <yeuu ste lsiese aie svar ehotoes 203-206 Forest Breed (Cattle).......... Uo ple Ss ulSo plots Lap hazards. isn shale ciasseteie eile isptacsacive estate 44 @UNs onpnamhbaras-aosaerodoonnndpoeT oben U3) lnleyyoy7 WWleehited Gaebino oouaon odosSedde beaasor 50 Frances (Brown Swiss cow)..... Sue L0G) eHappyaMediuras, The: i)... eel eee ee 48 Freeland (Oxford ram) ............... ...207 Harold (American Trotter) .......... 47, 52, 56 IGEN Cy San aC iarier re Mierctebstistrtel aleve cceiersttay sae 46 Havering Nonpareil 2nd (Shorthorn cow)....117 renchsGoacht ee vcr --e cattee efuietseiele ier ave 30-838 Heat, Recurrence of, in Mares............... q7 BrencheD ratty omit scicmeietacriccre aici <rs Ib ebleavive Carnacer Breeds y «ciceccs ne -ctavnic etter 7 BirenchyMlerin OSycsp.joi2\s! arc taisis eheretsuctsistave teste tetas i e@hoy 926 Thon ec cpp abbbmeGer pc bo Ondeerae 44, 46 IRKOSEy JemVieye le tebe tro nna ctettado velar ers LO ORopELe ritiys Clay ier rererterarerey tic .0)s,5 sta cleralselslaly leis taeaereas 48 Lvl Steet Gober Bye AUPE ao ow aid aos Cane Em eee D4) entry, PY Ofe Wise, LREPOTE Off «/a.0.t 2 = = eae 253 Fuyard (French Coach stallion)............ Oe} IRIE orld Gugd ucts dodoocnndae. ...-137-144 FLerodeleine (ELOLSES) joc (alee erases as inlets tcl <s seers iets 34 (Galle ohilg ce snttoguducecsb odgacesseeanoceocddr SpemEMAtOpass snes celciscsc aisles utsiaie celeritete hrmealotets 48 Galloway King (Galloway bull)........... NASP HOldernessise crises pk eccrine oes 102 SUN ERIS bao Gbon ance oHoendoe Se css euc 144-148 Holstein-Friesians ....................... 80-86 Garfit (English Shire stallion) .............. 24 Horned Dorset Group..................-- 194 (GOIN $3 Gas pRe NBEO AESOP BOO SR CON STIaRe dbopeeon 54 Horned Dorsets(Sheep)......./......... 193-195 GeneraliKino xt se. tcjacdcer asa meerlaneteiae 48 Horses, Selection, Careand Management of, 72-77 General Purpose Breeds (Cattle)............. 79 Horses, Summary of Part First............... 7
266 INDEX PAGE. PAGE. IE(BIS SENS) Aco ood copoaa Sones Sek seer 115 Lord Derby (Cleveland Bay stallion)........ 29 Huguenot (English Thoroughbred). ...... 40a Wochly ochimaresi.cmicsinct\orier anvils titer 19 IL NVI NS oe o5 Gung Acpse moos ooa Ano we 128-180 Mm=breedingydefinediiy . s-liitetele eisai titers 115 Longhorn steers...................-.---- 129 HGH EO ERO Dioronnsttcnbce doe cia oaur 70) Long Island) Blackhawk <-)c5 ce. cece decline 48 TndianwROnIeS cree cnikeyarasr tees lelclerolerstenerte COSI, Lona IPR Ofa FAS vs Newlenirieniaine ee nee One sImeoU Infantado ‘amily Merinos .............177, 183 Long-wool Breeds..:...........-..-.++-+- 175 Irish) Grazier Swine sss iat oer 229, 280 Lord Preston (Lincoln ram) .............- 218 Anis HUB OM NOLS Meratebeiateleyal- cleus kel elekerelerta arate 128 Low, Prof. David....22, 27, 35, 66, 93, 126,
( 46, 49, 50,
Jay-Eye-See (American Trotter) ) Sen oReyl D2) ey oG,
dKreChy [HD Son dusseddocndbecancobhoscace 4 87 AGRA PGI RUN Nonsenencoson es quanooecody sath) IGS ERY spond sdacacwcsteecsotossnodoano 232 IGEAMe coco crechacok sonra obr 86-91 WONG ES Modlacio tho ooo noua cacao Abas mee 54 [eirasorn soonatashcs gndseccansmocangonicos aoc 54 Joker (American Merino ram)............. 179 Jolie 2nd (Guernsey cow)..........+-..-+5- 92 Fournal Royal Agricultural Society..........200
Nustine Morgane ae rmislefeter=cilotlerelnke
Lb ae aon ondoacdeDe be oopboson ponyodas 46 eembrre ky beni CO sstetesetaa (eters ete taretetatereysterel state 56 U<Gigel esse dacs coocoapaocanseadno0e 4hac 110-1138 IO PEN odod.eder nosbodsontessantcn ote 111 Shas Gols bon nso odoudBacoddudd cobmad Godse Spore Ini anapapeeococpoonGsnonue ocd led 48 LSpeeseadon nnaodaapoecnuadoonn coco aa bos 160 Lady Aldine (Dutch-Belted cow) .......... 101 Lady Rose 2nd (Todd’s Improved Chester IWiINIEEISOW) eraratsncleleictersl nals lereh torsion otoncts 237 Wakentieldi@atel ecicretr ete mranietre tect erreiais 98 Wambss:Careiofa ascents 221, 222, 223 ILA MNS odowmnomon odds. SeoobAdaddeodnacbEe 73 TeANIGSCEL Sp HAUC Ya ts lelelehalebetateie eeietegehel el erator re 90 Marge Breeds) (Swine) sei cltette eel seiele ele = 225 WebedUBirstsnn. cmc + soils soe tte 64 Mei CeSteMe Wiernes ese meer ste ostata le 214 Leicester Group. scree rhe ieee 213 Wejcesterstecyqs 1 tere ae eset 212-215 Leiston (Suffolk Punch stallion)............ 26 IW seinttyatoy saan oumococns chou Sougdadpogae 36 ISSO haSIKON apo dao boooDe DUDBSO OH ODEOOSOENC 36, 40 Lincoln Group (Sheep) .............--..-. 217 MincolnvHorse; eave net ace erie necesito 19, 22 Tincolns) (SHEEP) meireetacice ene ertae ee 215, 218 Lem Gey Hil Bo Gampoe booAD Seon ConD Rauote 48 LEON N Miso Aersnadco soon ntwers cos pees 54 TeittlevMiacks,sericctyciseirecrachsaetate sistemas 54 GPS IY DEN Rodeo Hoghoon conto ontoneuada ae 36
160, 164, 176, 193, 195, 197, 198
WbEZN EV ABUTS Ee mrveyel yee eter elaceta teva hetale teuesolerereiaets 64 ILS eG euanobOSNUnUOGOATS cone Udon aonS Abosbe 54 IMatehie mis iets sie.s o's ayesstew vice are elerelere erelereteheeee 42 METIS Aieeane soncosbenoany Heepylesontoac 230 Maonai@harrta i \1s eriaserstovale waleleralal aelenanene areas 48
Main Register, Conditions for admission to. . .82
Mla brinO)svee reece eek eee Was eee 42, 48 Mami brinoy (Atm erica) eerie. s-tertarelelerersieneteiae 48 Mamibninoi@hiefia. secre eeeeese 48, 50, 52, 54 Mam brinomPatche nbn cver <ieleteieyssoei-tetelsteleteetiers 50 MamibrinoPaymasterir cr ctetsetiat- elite ies 48 MamibrinosyeRhemestersetcietsecetclatac in iete inter -48 Mian Zant tartar tatatereta rats snvaisloleltereletaretevalsteyaneiseete 54 Marion 5th, of Castlemilk (Galloway cow) 147 Marius (Shorthorn bull)................-.. 116 Mares; brood) Gareiofr: oa. ccc.k «ss ssisie 75, 76 MAP SRALL i orcs Settee eke ee Oe 120 Miarske tee crge ray ciatatas crsvathia altace ireteted vane Meyats leerek chests 35 Massena) eertetscisiciceecaeisaletore ote etc eenaeesienaeate 90 Mla tild aati vacysrkctcjaraiavetsiavetetoualstersncncheletsre a aeebatans 90 IMatieyEDunterisrestoratsiexcioraetateforeieicinisteleicletekeiee 54 Maud Sieiraus aconeanteaerat 46, 47, 50, 52, 56, 59 IMaxey\ CODD ac arielatelenate etele tear et Where niet 50 MENDON ea aoa noosobocuAAoeos cbeocoon Geen 54 WAI OBA Geo Spp Od Ob UO DA ON OOM ONGAG Ob e107 186 Medley, imported ip rr-ajeie ate reisieriele teeta 4H Meg Dods (Clydesdale mare) ............... 20 Merinosssozrsthen ina sissies Qaleeemeetchsione 176-193 Merritt COnsuliss a dactncckecierl kasernee eee 216 IVIESSER Ser NTOCH tse cra tlelel slater atee eter ee 44, 54 Miessenger-Durocs, “hey sas aoe ees 48 Messenger, Imported .......... 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 Mexican Pony Group..........-.......-.-- 68 MexicaniPoniestarciaan seiner tae ltateticiete 67-69 MidG@lesBreeds| (Swine) scare \cie/etateleneaelsbereienete 225 Middle White Breed (Swine) ....... ....... 250 Middle“ Wool Breeds its: Siicoi 10% casita icceeepane 175 MCh AES occmbascnoddoo GHbUnaAD padeSO ooo: 52 Milk Mirror wsactie er ersten etareievees ores teretanaee 167 hil kaWied pers aris ataceettinneter etal crete rier nineties 167 Mills; Coes Miethodsiobretctyn sles cle sta ieters 223 IW ISS SEL eny.Ciyaeer ise risee tees emcee iaxcierec tenets 44
INDEX. 267
PAGE WEIR SORTIGSE] isin tats iniveieiainte rip cls incatarn de isfatcieis: isis 52 HOUR VAG Aiea yas -ycnoe door co cgnaoguaat 48 Monarque (Belgian Draft stallion) .........- 16 Montarco Family Merinos ...,.......-- 178, 1838 Montgomery, W. B., Letter from........... 110 INOOTE Swine man sean cicisivateterem nopiale eicitss te 230 Morfe ComimoanSheepeip nc lrsinv cc sie sisvelerai 200 NTOr Sansa LUSti Misia ainlcnere steietstsas'elsis! e's ciaietr eks 46, 48 INLOL SATIS) UE parce ta aiatalbis telteiGieRaeivi-veseya = 5) shel 9) 15 48 NMOrril gaslth ener. eereme i tane ise ieieteisiess 2/s7eherniste 48 AVES Cer OB yeretarertetaiata nana svateio harrier erelaisiere Gier otstele ni: 67 CONROY SME -DLOOGSUd telclelereiesciejaiefelsisiehcterstels cele 17 National Live Stock Fournal..........+. 112, 140 IME UIA ISN IAG 1 ALON OUND E BED ACOE DO CREO ROC eML WAVICHL ALM OISCABEY arereptasiete cyetsitis ieficions ioretates ete 74 INIT YOLEN Sensi on dole dou Fone eo Coe aoa a0 249 Negretti Family Merinos.......... 177, 178, 183
Netherland Prince (Holstein-Friesian bull). .81
INGELLERINONTOM secssttererae ais cia ieeoie a eseitiel eleceteretetats 36 INO Alne steer chertares perros os oeaoes see tavernr cpa an seta 54 Norfolkeiietescce Syotae eee OD cataheters Saisie cake 40 Norfolk Reds (Cattle). mPaLettNe (eke a ENGL hel - 120 Norfolk bing Rand sjejcyeyercts sstlgpevteretenaiaeate icine 237 INIT roadie: pean OG ORAL COUR C POD emo nOne 12 IVOVMIAMMIS) DUM serials che cists e ucrtvaensvesl<r~ 131 INOLINANCIE’ COW: caine cre eclieaistaleisisleimoraeisineys 182 NNIOEINANGIES) tas tansvelsicutctaielate/olsiesealeis aieretansic 130-133 INDEED PDE VON entice cides cies tiem heisceelsisis 124 North Wales Black Cattle.............. 133-136 INI litepererat sicicie cestattechistelelevaloneleletshcteistelsierd suernitis 54 Olivette (American Trotter) and Foal...... 43 Orient Maud (Berkshire sow) ............. 229 Ovo iro tterbicterccieiete eiceeweetersoleceneee ee er 64 @xfordshines oth. wet ee eeeiee clea rat 206-208 ACI EES OOM nereatven sp sterstey cto, c eres ere claves teter= 48, 50, 54 J WTA TIT R hel e (BES e ICO DIE CODA GRO OOD ACAD 137 Ral ORAL CO 55s eect cic netatnte cusiarsis seiaveron eee aie 54 IBANGCOASEN ya, saierarcierayie cate teisise cae ome relereee cvaveR 50 arOle tere aierpierciecra tte eer etelere oie olciolacaleys eieauecets 36 Pant Minst OUIIAny Ofeieiarsre ric leetaiceleiasnienticres 7 Part SeconG summary, Olin mclels\cjer-)-)si-late <1 s 79 Part Lhird;poumimanya OL acie oleic» aka oe = 175 Part Fourth, Summary of.................- 225 EPACOMI, i crotntoleds gatas cia arctan oteryererte Gets stele ss) Siersyele 50 Patton Stocks nt) cies chyimecine sieveeir eres siener 115 anlar, MerinOs s.r cisiscuteleleisterese re ate eiateta 183-186 Paulina (Red Polled cow) ................ 12: 1 LF Lote RCN RAR Oey COMES CHAT ees a Cee aa 46 Pedigrees:
SEL ribet iter wticse tates cits MRRNS weet eee 58
Pedigrees— Continued: MIE CHOMECIs ate ete ictahe siete viele ciety ste(-+ ci OS
Emperor of Nonble Tao iy, POAC)
AVERY C= ECT eretete cetera Paletstetalia’ei aloes fovarale oleiie 61
IVE STAs shade eictute clade laters fuptatscaevcG ataaiee OO
STING atts et teva sisimiesaietelcipistore Gl eieisrpie ete rials 63
Pa llae) evecare ttetar tee oie ate ie ie oletearoeie ee sieve 60
Whe Bard oso vce se stisreie dhetavevelecie’s re divers. + 86 Pembrokes
Pennant (American Trotter).........
Perchero-Norman ee gee bignain donate 10, 12 Percherons .2.... okaavontSnnen pork or 8-12 Percheron Stud Boe Seen ak ele) Hoes ea ee 8 Perfection (Chester-White boar) ......... 235 Peter Piper (Red Polled bull) ............ 121 Peters, Richard, Letter from........... 158, 247 Phallas (American Trotter)...... 50, 51, 56, 60 PACE NI potsra tec enatcicistacrsieks acs atotonaisvelete Srecniereioie 115 InGiGnye Pil Genntaccase senueotoner apenas ac 85 Bigs Caren Ober cot rie cfeseve cis atane Waals laters 256, 257 UO ties x ter eval rs ey ahi tadahofeiohs: ic arsine Se teretevenee Create 46 il Ote ipa serepetevescke ol stats s/ajer< ayers scales 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 RilatssRhe we Mar nys ros, ccersicle akoteetat yn heteee hlaee 48 Points for Rejection (Horses)................ 3 Poland-China Group ..................... 231 moland=Chinasiaretstate erste crsahietie eee 229-232 Polkanphanste apse cicice sneer cneirhc esis ee 64 OMe apAT PMG onryetenert sels aiae ike mneneele ae 148 Rolled’ Dynhanasaree crete. t a telclateieeeroniets 120 leteyahie 1idasfelnoooan an asaepo som yous moa cocueT 7 Potomac Mare ip tenner ettine Settles ctor 38 Prince Bismark (Paular Merino ram)...... 184 WANITIC EDS able elena ncrteatass orci aiaisteretarete 52 IPTIN GOSS: Syacresntee seh ere lebesereinaa’sl sie e seere mererete waits 50 Princess Family Shorthorns................118 Prince William (Shorthorn bull).......... 114 FEMIOLESSpeleyes soa csc. sh eleicterie isos © efstermele eltte nis as steve 36 IRL AVes OLY ULELEIS) of hoon Ana omcene diane pea oOod 177 Rains CAreObs/i 2). enetns os atiaes 221, 222, 223 RUA Gua ctepnahs ce cl state ether yetuae eee eee ae 52, 54 Rayan) AOe ies aC hEGK) SEOT stein tetete(cystate are ats 183-186 RedprolledeG@attle sit. acta ae cs werent 120-123 FRC QUIS tere eteiniare cole tereriseats erataseleteder ton cartes 42 Reversion Gasel Git. icc sats tastiest nine aie eee 146 ISDS we aeac ober ban EAS Db OCCbs Sapo coos 54 Rich hamiuliya lertnos wenn seiciaiiescieisieette 184 ISU) oo 0o\8 Roo opchob oounod cc hore Snkado nro 74 Rivers’ Wim, Wetter from es cteneieieaeieeie ete 215 Robinson Family Merinos......... 179, 181, 185 ER OU g ON eterele tate ature) amie einrenel tnetapeittone ae tets 54 RoyaliGeorees thei. ansleemeriereisiislsies erste 48
Royal Granite (Berkshire boar) ........... 228
268 INDEX PAGE, PAGE Royalty (Cleveland Bay stallion)............ ZS SPE wSCLECLONILON eterereteielalstetetaleteiofefateistsistetetae 72 FRA SAS KE] As ietetcrsteyate)steleteyete e/a sisrerehereter ste ranererar= iS MS HIGHER gb ooSaayo UUUE Gb OMMen a doCuRUd cUC bar 35 iRGwyavavbayes IKON AISY Se ooubonosvodDacocoGDoOSoUNT Gb} Syolibelt ae Shon sbonocddaaodcodocoqGoda choo pce 74 Rysdyk’s Hambletonian..... AA AG, 48510051025) 04 eet PEIN PDOK ee cisteyare ate) ele voicteepetefetor= of>ieieledetsveren-velere 36 Stallions, Careoimace-sineccrecets 74, 75, 76, 77 Salerro cnctivstatetetstotrreraysle Sroka apetertarel emt 54 Standard (Cotswold ram)...............-- 209 SablesWilkesi cise oc eo ccc oi eeeine pote eecrebeeisiotes Days Standard bred defined’. cmicie cele esters 54, 56 Sampson 535.20 2cis 00 551s stein cyticler se ote onspeeeers BARADE Se Stn G laine stetpacsls aot toreisieverersrsarelcrererstareiteeartO pO Sanborn, H. B:, Methods of .......=-<+.-..- VAN Deon Stenicker Rage. Lethodsiobactetieciast erence 75 SUES 38 1é (iearaoconado leaden ssocesscs 6 Si PSLELUAT LL CRIN Matar elclnt haters ciate! “ippateietererstel 176, 178 SH yel NMS AOS odwoohaceocoUdscks adacd0Gc WEES Stes | Cmsocs dasadasadp oe dan sooo obs dau 52, 54 Scandanavian sElonsess. race eee Qi GAe nS tela whenGerinty.ce cieclepevese eleitererte ost okey 44, 46 Scotty He iB: Weetten trom ra.cene terete IIS} SOROS Awe wows eSpoouo comp oOo sae o0pRooC 202 Select (Guernsey cow) actin isemeieie 91 Sueeess (Hereford Bull)............-..6.5- 143 Selection fone Beeheye senna er 167,168 Suecess 2nd (Small York boar)............ 245 Selection for Orattias. sree yeaa 72 Suffolk, Black (Swine). ...............:...- 249 Sele chonstorm Mi kerysrer misty ethernet 167) eis uttolkiColor (ELOKses) eer etetsels eis secs) os) tare 25 Selectionitfor Speed werason cits acters Te) shinee oakes sodemeeogbocoao00sd 3c 25-27 Shattuck, EE, Methodsiofieeicicsiasfieeeener 2220 Suitolks Reds ((Cattle)ie cite ctejie ciate ieee 120 SUGAII SoocouposeoondoocdodsGane 221, 222, 223 Suffolk, White (Swine).................--- 250 Sheep, Selection, Care and Management of, pith (0) be i ao nnoa dca rindocing neyo Osan 56 219-223 Superbe (French Coach stallion) ............ 31 Sheep, Summary of Part Third............. 175 ~=Suprenant (French Draft stallion).......... 13 henmiantsrsracreacicsiellvcciecteln re chetsiore elersiereer sre AST SSsexs CAtt le veralale las tlstertsteleiatetl-teltita 152-154 Shetland’G@roup) cc cs sce cls oe creiissieie nici G5 Sussex Group essecssse sae eres ertr 1538 Shetlandsierememceriecteetat sete seer G4=66 eS weenmyary-crelsielaeieielsieitel.leteiis siete) oie) totais totaal 73 SOMA connoaboooundihoba aancooeo se LLS=120)” VS wine; Heedingyoteen estes lejeleietel lel l= 252-254 HOKE WOOl DLeedseerreeciociciciscieisn eeeeee 175 Swine, Selection, Care and Management Shropshire Group .....................5- 201 OP oper eee et sinter ac tcisis stele el sleleee 251-259 Shropshire Record ..........+..++++++++++.+-202 Swine, Summary of Part Fourth........... 225 Shropshires!csccecccl-eiecerheiteisee eee 200-203 Silesian WMlerinosmecmmicie sels ee eee renin ie Be Pam worthy Swine erntl-iteicteciecieleiierinenine 232 Sinumentihalu Cattle eons leise rt telaeclecte iets 141 P a barentine: Sheep rect scimer ier tlelesieteteteteletteterst 176 Simmenthal Group .-..--........25..5-.. l5boeMelesraphy vataeeceee tee aceite kee eee 54 Simplicity (Shorthorn heifer).............. L197. Wen Broecky. cts actaseecs Seiece ce seo 36 Sir Charles (Hereford bull)............ il $9) Menray Cotta sean rine erence Renmei 36 SirsHugh\(Ayrshirejbulll)i-. 52sec: 94S Perry odie Gwar tine etenale slave aac eo De SOAS? Fea doomanoosuGme nibs 00 oclaaoononeer AAS Nexas\ Cathleurrmvaticentn cierci ck seac 164-166 Sleep ya Morales eyalerstacinictere ete etek ales ae 5A Mexas S teerins ccc ccc ole ayer ioeneesarie 165 SinallBreeds\(Swite) ko. veecemeeeie eee 225 The Bard (American Thoroughbred)..36, 37, 40 Small forks bines ariel isnt ttl 244-246) he Rrotting, Gattis cr.) jelere -!is eteierriet-le\clnlcieyetetel= 73 I MLetAn Kaye. teas cceeeh aees ra tahoe Seana 8564— > shhorouphbredydefimed njstar teueaicyner eee 38-84 Smiths, Powell & Lamb, Methods of....168-169 Thoroughbreds...................+-+-+-: 33-41 SolidiColordefinedie cs: eiepeieteee eee S87 horouphpingee tect seri ls cere ee eee 74 SMAap ects hatsere ee etait eer eel eae ee ee 34 Thrifton, Phil., Methods of............ 255-257 Sol Tel (Brown Swiss bull)................ 106 = =Todd’s Improved Chester-White Record ...... 237 Soprel Dante eerste sear eee eee ee 54 Todd’s Improved Chester-Whites. ......287-238 Sources of Trotting Blood......... AD NAG AO WAS pee dormblallUiys mrsteresalLereieeiatetelcrcresTe\ste)alefetter tere 48 Southdown Group ................-.....- 199 eee Momi Ochiltree wr scr ttiet scete ieee 36 SOUtHGO WISE ose oie ote ieee ee oe 197-200 Topsman 2nd (Clydesdale stallion).......... 20 Bionic Chit Onde noaaoodes cdqdoad Pit io, Co Wdetlane A hoa gobmaensebobauouus be pesatnosos 52 Spamish™ Cattler ayes citerefelecmeciiiersietaertesiels 164)8 edrottinewB reeds emcees eet err 7 PA vatsere cetote a crore ets cereale eratorarna scare TAS Dr VemB Triton sre heats eset siete eine 48
INDEX.
PAGE “NY a ec A OOC! 6 GHC OC RAO ORE ROOS eS Toco ORO OCING 42 TTY PALIT HEIR LL GOO AA IOS OOS ORC OO 36, 52 WOE ho nndhokagnGarbcason tron houppoooce pe 44 Wiermont Blackhawk) ac. s0.. -vlelelle se 48, 52, 54 Victoria (North Wales Black cow)........- 135 MilctoriagmGurtisimuite erecient aera aterciny 239-240 WiGtOrias el) avis eetcrcentertteitciale ickexces inte 240-242 Molitnteers plier srrcteterects tates ee inictatels sais/elel eve 48, 52 VonSchluembach, Letter from ......... 154-156 WVilcani (Cheshire! boar) lise =1- + alee = 243 Warren County S wins cccsretciss «isle» == 229 Wrarkensn) sib nslaettexmno tm rerarreas) cise \-t rae otejecr 136 EOS NZ conb Bo Odes So ndds buR bd SamL Re adeoON 4: AW Wistar alnenie aetertevcia) satcretovel sielaely oseiacelete nie) scleicte 56 Wille hi (ROmtes scree a; o,<verote evcests Sis ts wtelsvarcfeisheiens coe 66 West Highland Bull .................-... 161 West Highland Cow and Calf............ 16: WWGEPISUEIN ECS 5 ggoaudinbtdpeenas dor 160-164
269
WER EmOK th valet) aavetaleteicivicisiele seiereiessima ences s s1e'e OS White & Conover, Letter from ...........-. 239 Nii bens hO I Meteestettatavaceiniaerels ol sle) «sists! eisversucieteys 250 White arose craytiasate tet in ccisieleleetrsienin'a'e te OS Wil Gale Breeton aiaterstatet ctetsieleysis cls\<ieie) Inet pie'etetese 48 WV ARUN ESCO UN s torarat eters? slate) ovatdiwuc al cists ia caleininl (arn 48 Willd dowmeruem neietrtere ce ete efenpiniarelstcreictersisietars > =O Wild Forest Breed............ 112, 124, 133, 137 UR IOI Von a6 SUB COUS ODO ONE OOD NOS GO 130 Windfall (Guernsey Cow)...........-...... 9: IWVSQOG DUN erctete pat atatatetel stele cles vista) -lelel=\elet=(ci-lalatotal> 48 Wioodtord Mambrino) secs cls «so cl sieieiete sie OF Wood, Jas;, Wetter from...) - 6. ce cis miele 204 Wood’s Hambletonians, The................. 48
Wrinkly Queen (American Merino ewe) ...181
Youatt, William.............22, 24, 176, 212, 249 WGihys BAGIEN Coonadunncoge CbnosbdaSoEe 46, 48 BeEpuiGattl evetrstearersren vsleets sates a aenciaaaiats 157
ERRATA.
5(—Fourth line from top of page should read as follows: “ mares by Pilot Jr.” &c. « 138 —In the column of prices for Hereford oxen sold by Mr. Westcar,
the sign “$” should be “ £.”
Page
« 210——In its proper place, but is wrongly numbered 110.
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