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BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 231
Cow Echo. No. 121. H. H. B.
Cattle.—There are two principal purposes for which cattle are bred and used here: for beef and for dairy products. The number in use as working animals is so small as to be negligible. The two main classes are sub divided by the census into dairy cows; other cows, heifers, steers and bulls and calves. The comparative table given below shows the census figure of 1900 and 1910.
A change in the date of enumeration from June 1 at the twelfth census, to April 15 at the thirteenth census, would account largely for the decrease in the number of calves reported, since there were at least as many cows, and therefore had the enumeration been made as of June 1, there would have been twelve or thirteen million calves reported as born during 1910 or five or six million more than were actually reported on April 15 as born during that year (7,806,539). On the other hand a certain number—probably one
or two million—of the older cattle would have been slaughtered or otherwise eliminated be tween April 15 and June 1, so that the net addition to the total number of cattle on June 1 would have been perhaps four or five million. Instead, therefore, of a decrease in the total number of cattle from 67,719,000 on June 1, 1900, to 61,804,000 on April 15, 1910 (a de crease of 5,916,000 or 8.7 per cent), there would probably have been a decrease of not more than three million, and possibly not over one million, had the enumeration of 1910 been made as of June 1. Even a compara tively small decrease in the number of cattle, however, is significant when considered in connection with the increase of 21 per cent in population during the decade.
The number of dairy cows reported in 1910 was 20,625,000, and the number reported in 1900, 17,136,000, so that there was a nominal increase of 20.4 per cent.
Cows and heifers not kept for milk in creased nominally by 4 per cent during the decade, but in the absence of any change in the date of enumeration or the method of classification, some little decrease would pos sibly have appeared
The number of animals classed as steers and bulls declined from 16,535,000 in 1900 to 13,- 049,000 in 1910, or 21.1 per cent, and had there been no change in the date of enumeration or method of classification the decline would have been even greater.
Taken as a whole the census returns show that the dairy industry is increasing in im portance, whle the business of raising cattle for slaughter is declining.
The Dairy.—Although every animal kept for
232 THE FRIEND OF ALL.
dairy purposes is in the direct road to the sham bles, still the path is interesting and often long, and the milch-cow occupies a place in the public eye and thought, not to say stomach, not ac corded to the mere beef. The Census of the dairy interest for the same period is as follows, the number of milch-cows having already been given:
That is, in 1850 there were made about 13½ pounds of butter and nearly 4½ pounds of cheese for each person ; in 1880 there were made about 15½ pounds of butter and a shade over half a pound of cheese for each person. “ Milk sold” bears no appreciable proportion to milk used. In Butter production, New York led off in 1850 with 79,766,694 pounds, followed by Pennsylvania with 39,878,418 pounds; in i860 New York still led with 103,097,289 and followed again by Penn sylvania with 58,653,511 pounds; in 1870 the same two States remain at the head in the same order with 107,147,526 and 60,834,644 pounds respectively; and in 1880 our old friends are still there, New York at the head with 111,922,423 and Pennsylvania with 79,336,012 pounds. St. Lawrence was the banner Butter county of New York, showing in 1870, 8,419,695, and in 1880, 6,973,020 pounds. But as St. Lawrence has an area of 2900 square miles, her return in 1880 shows about 2405 pounds to the square mile, while Franklin County, Vt., returns in 1880 4,066,240, or an average of 6465 pounds to each of its 629 square miles.
THE HEREFORDS.
This breed is a great favorite in the United States, and especially in the West, for working oxen and for beef. The first importation of them was made by Henry Clay, in 1816 or 1817, who put two pair of them upon his farm at Ashland, Ky., where they were allowed to run out, Mr. Clay shortly afterwards becoming a breeder of Short-Horns.
The Importation of 1840.—L. F. Allen writes: " The largest known importation of Herefords into the United States was made about the year 1840, upward of 20 in number, by an English man, into the City of New York, and taken to Jefferson County, of that State. A year or two afterwards the bulk of the herd were removed to the farm of Mr. Erastus Corning, near Albany, N. Y., and some of them went into Vermont, where they were for some years bred, sold and scattered. While the stock were at his farm, Mr. Corning sent their importer out again to Eng
land to purchase more animals, which safely ar rived, and were added to the herd. They were then successfully bred for several years, many sales made into different and distant parts of the United States, and they acquired considerable popularity. The herd was subsequently divided,
Hereford Bull.
Mr. Corning retaining his share, and his partner taking his away, where they ran out. Mr. Corning retained his herd at his farm, where he has suc cessfully bred, and made sales from them since; and in the hands of his son, Mr. E. Corning, Jr., who is more an amateur than a professed cattle- breeder, added to by occasional importations from England, they remain fine specimens of their race.
“At different periods since 1840, importations have been made into both the United States and Canada, and scattered chiefly into the Western States and Territories for crossing on the native cows and rougher Texan ones for beef raising, as well as breeding in their pure blood. They com mand ready sales and good prices, are high in public favor, and add largely to the better quali ties of beef-production. They have a Herd-Book of their own, and have taken an established position in the broad grazing districts of the country.”
For Beef.—And Mr. Allen adds: “ It is doubtful
Hereford Cow.
whether in early maturity for the shambles they will equal the Short-Horns, now so universally prevalent, but as they are active in movement,
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 233
they may better suit localities where the lym phatic temperament of the Short Horns will not so well enable them to range over wide distances to gather their forage. Taken altogether, the Herefords are a good breed of cattle, and will undoubtedly maintain a high position among our bovine varieties.”
The Hereford Ox.—The Thompson Cyclopædia says: “As work oxen the Herefords are inferior to the Devons, when activity is wanted, but for heavy draft they have no superior, being muscular, steady and patient at the yoke. Their capacity for standing fatigue, and their constitu tional hardihood and resistance to cold, are in deed remarkable, and of late years they have become great favorites with the ranchmen in the far Western States and Territories.
“ The Hereford Cow.—The Hereford cow com pared with the ox is small and delicate, not always handsomely made, to the superficial ob server, and shows its relationship to the Devon. She carries but little flesh in breeding condition, and when breeding, should not be fed so as to accumulate much fat, for, in order that the young be superior, the dam should have plenty of room inside. With the Herefords, experience has shown that the dam may not be too large or coarse, but she should be roomy. Then the breeder will get, even from apparently inferior cows, large, handsome steers, that will fatten early and kindly, and to great weights. When the cow is done breeding, and ready for fatting, she will spread out, and accumulate flesh and fat, and this to a greater degree than if not allowed to breed.
“The Herefords are a hardy, gentle race maturing early, and long-lived. The flesh is superior, handsomely marbled, heavy in the prime parts, and they fatten to weights fully as heavy as any known breed.
“Their massive strength, honesty and gentle ness make them the best working oxen known, and the potency of the bulls, when crossed upon the red or nearly red cows of the country, ren ders the steers easily matched in color, as also in general characteristics of the progeny.
“Points of the Hereford.—In judging the Here- fords as beef animals the same scale of points may be adopted as for Short Horns, except that the Herefords are, if anything, more placid, closer to the ground, heavier in appearance, and, as a rule, thicker-meated than the present fashionable Short-Horns.”
SHORTHORNS HERE.
A great stride in the improvement of Ameri can cattle was the importation of the Short- Horns. Various spasmodic attempts at their introduction had been made when in 1834 an
association of cattle-breeders in the Scioto Val ley, Ohio, sent an agent to England who pur chased the best animals he could find, imported nineteen into Philadelphia, and drove them to Ohio. Other importations were made by this association and others, and in 1837 to 1839 a great English breeder named Whittaker sent over more than a hundred Short-Horns, which he sold at auction at good prices. These animals went into Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. In 1850 the herd of Thomas Bates was sold, and the best of his choice stock fell into the hands of Lord Ducie, already the owner of a noble herd. He died, and in 1853 a peremptory sale of his stock was widely advertised. At this sale Samuel Thorne, of Dutchess County, N. Y., bought several of the best and highest-priced animals, and added to them other choice animals from other herds. These were brought over and bred here, and with other importations and constant and successful attempts at improvement, the United States turned the scale, and has repeat edly sold to Englishmen Short-Horn stock to go back.
The Campbell Sale. — Samuel Campbell, Esq., of New York Mills, Oneida County, N. Y., fur nishes another illustration of the adage that “ it is the busiest man who has time.” Although the manager of the great mills which give the place its name, he still had means, judgment, enterprise and enthusiasm to devote to the breed ing of choice Short-Horn cattle, and held at his place, September 10, 1873, a sale “of the entire herd of purebred Short-Horns” on the farm. This sale was the high-water mark of prices for that description of cattle. His catalogue occu pied fifty pages, and gave a long pedigree of each animal, some going back with twenty items. This catalogue was kept in type, and, after the sale, the name of each purchaser and the price paid were appended at the foot of the pedigree of each lot; and to all was prefixed a
SUMMARY OF THE SALE.
234 THE FRIEND OF ALL
Here is the Catalogue’s story of the animal that brought the highest price :
19 8th Duchess of Geneva, red and white ; calved July 28,1866;
got by 3d Lord Oxford (22200), Dam 1st Duchess of Geneva by 2d Grand Duke (12961),
— Duchess 71st by Duke of Glo‘ster (11382),
— Duchess 66th by 4th Duke of York (10167),
— Duchess 55th by 4th Duke of Northumberland (3649),
— Duchess 38th by Norfolk (2377),
— Duchess 33d by Belvedere (1706),
— Duchess 19th by 2d Hubback (1423), -— Duchess 12th by The Earl (646),
— Duchess 4th by Ketton 2d (710),
— Duchess 1st by Comet (155),
— Duchess by Favourite (252),—by Daisy Bull (186),-—by
Favourite (252),—by Hubback (319),—by J. Brown's Red Bull (97).
Bulled June 1, by 2d Duke of Oneida. R. Pavin Davies, England..............................$40,600
The total record of animals sold to go to Eng land was :
8th Duchess of Geneva................................. $40,600
10th Duchess of Geneva................................ 35,Ooo
12th Lady of Oxford................................. 7,000
1st Duchess of Oneida.................................. 30,600
Atlantic Gwynne....................................... 2,000
3d Duchess of Oneida.................................. 15,600
Lady Worcester........................................ 2,000
8th Duchess of Oneida................................. 15,3oo
9th Duchess of Oneida.................................. 10,000
Prince Alfred.......................................... 600
10 animals, averaging $15,870........................$158,700
As Dairy Animals.—For years the Short Horns held a high, perhaps the highest, place in public favor. But such superior dairy qualities have been
Short-Horn Bull.
tately developed in other breeds, that the Short- Horn has lost its lead for milk and butter. Sixty-six pounds of milk a day was a high yield for a Short-Horn,cow abundantly fed, and milked three times. But for beef, the Short-Horns still deservedly rank high. Youatt and Martin re late that these cattle first attracted general notice by the production of a Durham ox which at 5 years old weighed 3024 pounds, was carried around for years as a show, but dislocated his Lip at the age of 11 years, and was killed weigh ing 3780 pounds. And this weight, they say, was not chargeable to his superior size, but to " the excessive ripeness of his points.” Allen
says : “It is held, as a flesh-producing animal, that in early maturity, weight of meat, ripeness of points, and giving the most flesh in the best places, the great merit of the Short-Horn is found. He who feeds cattle for the general market wants the animal which makes the quick est and most profitable returns for the capital invested and the food consumed. The Short- Horn at three years, past, well fatted, is fit for slaughter, equally with the Devon or Hereford at the same age, or the Highland Scott or Galloway at four years, or the ‘ native ' at five or six years. He is claimed by many to be a less feeder for his weight. There may be truth in this, as he is less active, and more inclined to take his rest, than the lighter breeds, which are less sluggish in their habits.”
Proper Homes of the Short-Horns.—This very characteristic of quietness and tendency to slug-
Short-Horn Cow.
gishness, which so tells in their favor under cer tain conditions, is against them in certain others. They must have abundant feed and good pas turage. Broken lands, with short grasses, do not answer well with them. They need level or gently undulating soils, with luxuriant grasses upon them. On lean, hungry soils, with scanty herbage, other breeds, such as the Devon, High land and Galloway, will do better. A cold climate, in which they are well taken care of, does not seem to disagree with them. Latitudes from 400 to 450 north seem to suit them as well as warmer ones, provided they have good winter protection. The severe winters of the North are no bar to their success. Wherever the proper herbage will grow—blue grass, for instance—they may be successfully raised ; but they must be taken care of. The New York office of the Short-Horn Herd Book, and head quarters generally of that race of cattle, is at the store of R. H. Allen & Co., 191 Water St. The Secretary of the Club is Lewis F. Allen, Black Rock, N. Y.
Rationale of Short Horns.—Prof. Hengerveld says, in writing of the Dutch Frisian cattle: “It is even supposed that the shortness of the horns has a great deal to do with the fineness of
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 235
the shape. Though it may not be true in every respect, yet the exquisiteness of form and quality depends much upon the network of the horns and the fineness of the hair. It may be shown on physiological grounds that long horns take away nutritive matter, especially azotic sub stances, to the great disadvantage of the bodily development, and consequently to the production of beef and milk. Breeders are therefore quite right in paying particular attention to the short ness of the horns.”
THE AYRSHIRES.
Allen says of these: “Their trial here has been successful. They are hardy, healthy, well fitted to our climate and pastures, and prove good milkers both in the imported originals and their progeny. Their flow of milk is good in
quantity and fair in quality; yet in this country they do not yield so much in quantity as it is alleged they have produced in Scotland. The chief reason for this is obvious. Ayrshire has a moist climate, an almost continuous drizzle of rains or moisture pervading it, making fresh, green pastures; a cooler and more equable tem perature in summer, and warmer in winter than ours. Our American climate is liable to ex tremes of cold in winter, heat in summer, and protracted droughts, for weeks, drying up the herbage. These differences alone account for a diminished quantity in the yield of milk from the Scotch to the American Ayrshires.” And he adds : “ We have little doubt that the Ayr- shires owe their chief qualities, both in milk as well as in form and color, to their Short-Horn progenitors on one side.”
Their Claims in America.—Mr. T. S. Gold, of West Cornwall, Conn.: “ For the ability of Ayrshires to thrive on scanty pasturage, to pick a living, for soununess of constitution and freedom from an) hereditary taints, for strength of blood,—i.e., when graded upon other stock the powers of imparting to the progeny in large degree their own characteristics,—they have no superiors among neat stock of any breed or of no breed. Of compact form, fine in bone, and in all parts
of which the body is composed, there is no waste of horn or bone, or superfluous flesh, to build up, and maintain ; but these parts are all balanced, forming a symmetrical whole that at once commends itself to the lover of good cattle, and even when his vision is dimmed and per verted by always looking for the fine red of the Devon or the imposing form of the Durham, he still sees in the Ayrshire a very fine animal, if it only had a good color, or if it was not lacking in size.
“ A word about the Ayrshires as workers. But few in this State have been broken to the yoke; but whenever this has been done, as far as my ex perience goes, they show great spirit as workers, great endurance, all those qualities which we esteem in working oxen. I have a pair of Ayr shire stags, six years old, that for three years have been in the yoke almost every working day, and that for their weight will out-pull anything I have ever owned, I think I am safe in saying that I have ever seen.”
Some of their Milk Records.—J. D. W. French, North Andover, Mass., reports for nine years:
He describes Roxanna as “one of the largest producers, having yielded in one year more than
8ooo pounds, and in five years 17 tons, of milk. The feed was moderate, intended to keep the animals in good breeding condition rather than to force a large milk record.” “In summer the feed has been pasturage; sometimes, in addition, green fodder or shorts, on account of shortness of feed from drought. In winter, the daily ration was hay, eight quarts mangolds and four quarts grain,”
236 THE FRIEND OF ALL.
C. M. Winslow, Brandon, Vt., reports a herd of 13 cows, summed up thus:
or about 6030 pounds. He also reports single year‘s records, of Queen of Ayr an average of 9404½ pounds for six consecutive years after she was ten years old; Lily Dale, 8984 pounds in 366 days; and two own sisters of Prince of Ayr, of 10,426 and 10,801 pounds.
Much larger yields of milk are reported from Scotland than in the United States, a single cow belonging to the Duke of Athol having produced 13,456 pounds, or 1305 gallons.
But public interest attaches now especially to two great leading classes. One of these is that from the Channel Islands, at the head the Jerseys, and affiliated with these, the Alderneys and the Guernseys. The other comprises the breeds from high latitudes in Western Europe, where they are divided as Highland and Lowland, the latter even as far north as Labrador, and known here as Dutch Frisian and as Holstein.
The Secretary and Editor of the Association of Ayrshire Breeders, is C. M. Winslow, Brandon, Vermont.
POLLED CATTLE.
Allen says that in 1837 he saw a very fine black, polled Galloway cow, at the General Hos pital, Philadelphia, but could not ascertain how she came there. He goes on to tell how they have become established in the United States:
“About the year 1850, some enterprising Scotch farmers made the first importations of Galloways into the vicinity of Toronto, in Canada West. They already had the Short-Horns there, of high quality, imported many years before, and some of them were kept and much liked by the same farmers who brought out the Galloways. But the latter were the cattle of their native land, and they longed for, and sought, the cattle of their native hills and heather. There must have been several different importations, for in the year 1857 we saw upwards of forty of them ex hibited by competing owners at a Provincial agricultural show, at Brantford, and have since met them in equal numbers at other shows in the Province.
“ They were fine cattle—full, round, and comely in form ; robust in appearance; showing a ready aptitude to take on flesh ; elastic to the touch ; a good skin, with long, thick, wavy hair; of placid look, and apparently kindly temper. In addition to these good qualities, some of their owners declared them to be ‘good milkers.’ But their indications in that line did not show it, al
though, in practice, there may have been excep tions to what we thought indicated an opposite tendency. Their colors were black, generally, although we found one or two dull reds, or duns, and a brindle (black and red mixed), among them —which colors, according to Youatt, are admis sible. Taken altogether, the cattle fully answered his description.
“ Within the last few years several importations of the improved Galloway (now more usually called Angus, and Aberdeen Polled, as they have
Galloway Bull.
been for many years bred and improved in Aber- deenshire and other eastern counties of Scotland) have been made into the United States. The first importation of particular note was made by a Scottish gentleman, Mr. Grant, into Kansas, who bred them with spirit and intelligence in considerable numbers, and where they still re main in the hands of his successors. Crossed on the native cows of that region, they have
Galloway Cow.
achieved a deserved reputation as beef-producers, and are extending in demand for the broad ranches of the West.
“Their main excellence is in beef production. They are of full average size with our largest common cattle, mature as early as the Herefords, and in the absence of horns are by some preferred as safer in transportation on the railroads to distant city markets. The bulls have a remark able prepotency, like other distinct breeds, to impress their characteristics on the miscellaneous- bred native cows upon which they are used—a
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 237
single cross making an individuality of appear ance and quality every way favorable to their use. The cows do not excel as milk-producers, and will not be sought for dairy purposes. Their milk, however, is rich in cream, and according to the quantity yielded gives a satisfactory amount of butter and cheese. They have established a permanent reputation among the various breeds which will be maintained in our future beef pro duction.”
The Polled Angus.—These cattle have much of the Galloway form, and they might be mistaken,
Aberdeen-Angus Bull.
one for the other, by an unaccustomed eye. But the Angus are larger, longer in the leg, thin ner in the shoulder, and flatter in the side. They are generally black or with a few white spots, but often yellow, either brindled, dark red or silver-colored yellow. That they are taking firm root in this country, may be seen, among other
Aberdeen Angus Cow.
indications, from a sale in Kansas City, Mo.,
April ii, 1883, where
10 Aberdeen or Angus cows sold for $6300.
average, $630. 32 Aberdeen or Angus bulls sold for $15,955;
average, $498.59. 6 Aberdeen or Angus cows sold for $4560;
average, $760. 5 Aberdeen or Angus bulls sold for $2860.
average, $572. 19 Galloway cows and heifers sold for $10,370;
average, $545.79. 54 Galloway bulls sold for $27,440; average,
$508.14.
Some grade yearling polled bulls sold for $180 each; and grade polled cows for $150 to $250.
At another three days’ sale at the same place, later in the same month, 14 Aberdeen-Angus cows and heifers sold for
$9260; an average of $661.42. 26 Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold for $11,325; aver age, $435-57. 11 Aberdeen-Angus cows and heifers sold for
$10,505; average, $955. 47 Aberdeen-Angus bulls sold for $28,000; aver.
age, $595.74. 60 Galloway cows and heifers sold for $24,100; average, $401.66. 5 Galloway bulls sold for $2440; average, $488. These figures we copy from two numbers of the Breeder s Gazette, Chicago, Ill. An examination of one number of that paper, and especially of its advertising columns, will well repay any person interested in the present and future of cattle, horses, sheep and swine.
THE JERSEYS.
The pre-eminence of these cattle lies in the amount and especially in the quality of the milk yielded by their cows. Their breeders, while willing sometimes to admit that other cows may approach them in amount of milk, claim that in the richness of their milk, the Jerseys are unsur passed. And here the reports seem to leave the Alderneys and the Guernseys far behind the cows of their sister-island. The best record of a Guernsey cow that has reached the writer is that of Mr. Ledyard‘s cow Elegante, who is credited with about 60 pounds of milk in a day, and 19 to 19½ pounds of butter in a week, with other cows producing 16 to 18 pounds of butter in a week.
Echo Farm.—This most interesting and attrac tive dairy-farm was the subject of an instructive article in Harper's Magazine for Oct. 1878. It was originated by F. R. Starr, “a gentleman of education, intelligence and wealth,” who bought a farm in Litchfield, Conn., about 1869 as a sum mer home, became interested in choice stock, and Echo Farm was the outcome, devoted to Jerseys as dairy stock; and the investment became, per haps unexpectedly to the owner, a profitable one. Since that article was written, the business has greatly increased, the farm and number of animals enlarged, new buildings added, and the enterprise is in the hands of the “ Echo Farm Company, Full-Blooded Jersey stock, entered in the ‘American Jersey Cattle Club Herd Register,’ a Specialty.” They deliver milk at ten cents a quart and butter at one dollar a pound, to cus tomers in New York and Brooklyn daily, and find ready sale for what they make. From this farm comes the best accessible report of a yearly yield of milk from Jersey cows, namely, Starr's
238
THE FRIEND OF ALL.
Locust, 9528 pounds. This is a comparatively insignificant yearly milk record. But as there are “ deacons and deacons,” so there is milk and milk. When the question comes up, What cows will produce the most butter? the Jerseys make a magnificent showing. Conrad Wilson, in Harper s Magazine, Jan. 1883, gives a list of the
uter yield for one year of 10 Jersey cows, the
ghest with a record of 778 pounds, and the lowest with 500, the aggregate of the 10 adding 5965 pounds of butter, or 596½ pounds per cow, nearly 11½ pounds per week.
Greatest Yield of Butter in One Week.—June 28, 1883, a seven days’ test of the Jersey cow, Value 2d, No. 6844, owned by Watts & Seth, of Balti more, Md., was completed by a committee of the Maryland Improved Live-Stock Breeders’ Asso ciation, and Col. C. M. Weld, of New York, on the part of the American Jersey Cattle Club. The cow was milked at intervals of eight hours, yield ing 327 pounds of milk, from which was produced 25 pounds and 211/12 ounces of butter. The cow was bred in New Jersey, and was purchased last fall by her present owners for $2000. She is pronounced the best butter-producing cow in the United States.
Even with this showing, it is claimed that June 23, by the opening of a faucet, exactly 2 pounds of milk were lost, which would have added 22/3 ounces of butter, bringing the week‘s product to 25 pounds 57/12 ounces. The weight of the week‘s milk was 327 pounds, or 425/7 pounds per day; and there was a pound of butter to show for nearly 13 pounds of milk. Mr. Seth writes: “As neither accurate weights nor mea sures were used, I am unable to say what amount of food was given her. Of grain, she had corn chop, bran, cottonseed meal and linseed meal. She was fed three times a day; morning and evening corn, bran and cottonseed, and at noon a small quantity of linseed meal was substituted in the place of the cottonseed. For three nights after the last milking she had a small quantity of oatmeal gruel, made of, say, ½ pound of dry meal. Her green food consisted of cut clover and orchard grass mixed, and oats and peas mixed, on alternate days; besides, she had the run in the morning of about one acre of old pasture that had been completely grazed off this season. At night, she was put into another lot of about one acre, mostly wood, with a little orchard grass outside of the wood, on which three cows, herself included, had been running for three weeks. These runs were given her for air, shade and water principally. Of pasturage, strictly speaking, I have none, as I soil my cattle entirely, and for the whole period she was fed with reference to the preservation of good health, hoping for as good a yield as was
consistent therewith.” The weight of “Value 2d,” was, at the time of this trial, 955 pounds.
The Jerseys Today.—The American Encyclo paedia of Agriculture says of them : “ The butter from the cows is very rich in cream and deep yellow in color, so much so that a few cows in a herd will decidedly change the color of the butter of the whole herd. The percentage of cream to milk varies from 18 to 25 per cent., and the pro portion of butter to cream varies from 3.70 to 8.07 in 100 parts. Twenty-six quarts per day has been recorded as the product of an individual cow, and 14 pounds of butter per week. Sixteen quarts per day may be regarded as a good yield, and when we take into consideration the light
Jersey Bull.
weight of the cow, and the fact that the milk will yield from one sixth to one quarter of the richest cream, we need not wonder that those gentle and deer-like cattle have become universal favorites as family cows.
Description.—Lewis F. Allen, the leading editor of the Short-Horn Herd-Book, and probably not unduly prejudiced in favor of any other breed: “ Beginning with the head, the most char acteristic feature, the muzzle, is fine; the nose either dark brown or black, and occasionally a yellowish shade, with a peculiar mealy, light- colored hair, running up the face into a smoky hue, when it gradually takes the general color of the body. The face is slightly dishing, clean of flesh, mild and gentle in expression ; the eye clear and full, and encircled with a distinct ring of the color of the nose; the forehead bold ; the horn short, curving inward, and waxy in color, with black tips ; the ear sizable, thin, and quick in movement. The whole head is original, and blood-like in appearance—more so than in any other of the cattle race—reminding one strongly of the head of our American elk. The neck is somewhat depressed — would be called ewe- necked by some—but clean in the throat, with moderate or little dewlap; the shoulders are wide and somewhat ragged, with promi nent points, running down to a delicate arm,
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 239
and slender legs beneath. The ribs are fat, yet giving sufficient play for good lungs; the back depressed and somewhat hollow; the belly deep and large ; the hips tolerably wide; the rump and tail high; the loin and quarter medium in length; the thigh thin and deep; the twist wide, to accommodate a clean, good- sized udder; the flanks medium ; the hocks, or gambrel-joints, crooked ; the hind legs small; the udder capacious, square, set well forward, and covered with soft, silky hair; the teats fine, stand ing well apart and nicely tapering; the milk- veins prominent. On the whole she is a homely, blood-like, gentle, useful little housekeeping body, with a most kindly temper, loving to be petted, and, like a pony with the children, readily be comes a great favorite with those who have her about them, either in pasture, paddock, stable or the lawn. The colors are usually light red or fawn, occasionally smoky gray, and sometimes black, mixed or splashed more or less with white.”
A Milk, not a Dairy Cow.—The American Farmer's Pictorial Cyclopædia of Live Stock sums up the
Jersey Cow. matter: “In the strict sense of the word the Jersey is not a dairy cow. She is essentially the cow for rich milk, but not a cheese-maker; she lacks size to give quantity in this respect. The butter globules are not only larger than in other breeds, but the covering, the film enveloping the fat globules, is weaker. Hence the globules give up the butter easily in churning. The cream is also high-colored from the excess of yellow pig ment it contains.
“ For the family requiring milk rich in cream and butter, the Jerseys will always be desirable, and, since they have taken kindly to our climate in nearly every section of the Union, and even in Canada, they have, from their docile and trac table dispositions, become universal favorites where kindly treated. The bulls are not always good-tempered, and hence require not only a firm hand but careful management; and the cow, if abused, will by no means fail to resent the brutal treatment.”
Points.—The following scale was prepared for the guidance of judges at agricultural fairs by the American Jersey Cattle Club, adopted April I, 1875:
Points. Counts.
1. Head small, lean and rather long........................ 2
2. Face dished, broad between the eyes and narrow be
tween the horns...................................... 1
3. Muzzle dark, and encircled by a light color.............. 1
4. Eyes full and placid................................... 1
5. Horns small, crumpled and amber-color................. 3
6. Ears small and thin..................................... 1
7. Neck straight, thin, rather long, with clean throat, and
not heavy at the shoulders............................ 4
8. Shoulders sloping and lean; withers thin; breast neither
deficient nor beefy ................................... 3
9. Back level to the setting on of tail, and broad across
the loin............................................. 4
10. Barrel hooped, broad and deep at the flank............. 8
11. Hips wide apart, and fine in the bone; rump long and
broad............................................. 4
12. Thighs long, thin and wide apart; with legs standing
square ; and not to cross in walking.................. 4
13. Legs short, small below the knees, with small hoof...... 3
14. Tail fine, reaching the hocks, with good switch......... 3
15. Hide thin and mellow, with fine soft hair ............... 4
16. Color of hide where the hair is, white; on udder and
inside of ears, yellow____........................... 5
17. Fore udder full in form, and running well forward..... 8
18. Hind udder full in form, and well up behind............ 8
19. Udder free from long hair, and not fleshy.............. 5
20. Teats rather large, wide apart and squarely placed...... 6
21. Milk-veins prominent.................................. 5
22. Escutcheon high and broad, and full on thighs.......... 8
23. Disposition quiet and good-natured..................... 3
24. General appearance rather bony than fleshy............. 6
Perfection...........................................100
In judging heifers, omit Nos. 17, 18 and 21.
The same scale of points shall be used in judging bulls, omit ting Nos. 17, 18, 19 and 21, and making moderate allowance for masculinity.
Note.—It is recommended that judges at fairs do not award prizes to animals falling below the following minimum stan dard, viz.: cows, 70 counts; heifers, 55 counts; bulls, 50 counts.
Comparative Value of Points.—The gist of the advice of the Jersey Herd-Book : The highest excellence of any milking cow lies in the udder. This must not only be full in form, that is in line with the belly, but it must not be cut off square in front, like that of a goat. It should be rounded, full, presenting great breadth behind, and carried well up between the thighs. The milk-veins should be full and carried well for ward toward the forelegs. If knotted and with curves so much the better.
The tail is another essential point. Whatever its size at the root, it must be large and tapering, and have a good switch of hair.
The chest should be broad and deep: this shows good respiration, essential to feeding and health. But in the dairy cow, especially when viewed from before, there will be no appearance of massiveness. On the contrary, she will give an appearance of delicate fineness, and will look large behind, swelling gradually from behind the shoulders. She may not be closely ribbed, in [ fact should not be close, only comparatively so.
240 THE FRIEND OF ALL,
The best milkers, everywhere, will be found to be rather loosely put together between the last rib and the hips, and good milkers must be roomy in the flank.
The hind quarters must be long from the point of the rump to the hock, and well filled up; yet this does not mean rounded and massive in flesh ; on the contrary, the best milkers will be rather lean and perhaps high-boned. Neverthe less the same animal, when out of milk and fat, may fill up ; and perhaps present a fully rounded contour, while yet possessing all the delicacy of points characteristic of the high-bred dairy cow.
A cow may have large and heavy ears; her back may not be fully straight from the withers to the top of the hips; her rump may be sloping; her tail may not reach the hocks;—all these are defects, the latter a serious one, yet if the milk ing organs are super-excellent it will outweigh all these.
The office of the American Jersey Cattle Club is at 49 Cedar Street, New York; Thomas J. Hand, Secretary. Headquarters of Guernsey Cattle Club are at Farmington, Conn.; Edward Norton, Secretary.
THE HOLSTEINS.
Their Introduction Here.—Holstein cattle were brought into this country about 1625 by the “ West India Company.” In 1810 a bull and two cows were brought over by William Jarvis, and put on his farm in Weathersfield, Vermont. Al though they did well, they were allowed to mix with other breeds, and to run out. Various im portations were made, beginning in 1852 with a single cow. The extraordinary good qualities of that cow led, in 1857, to the further importation of a bull and two cows, and in 1859 to that of four more cows. Other importations were made from time to time. But the start of the breed acquired here may be said to date from the bringing over in 1861, by Winthrop W. Chenery, of a bull and four cows, and their establishment on the Highland Stock Farm, Belmont, Mass., and form the basis of our present Holstein stock. The animals came from the vicinity of Beemster and Purmerend, in North Holland, and formed the groundwork of the present Holstein stock in this country. From that time repeated im portations have taken place, Americans con stantly scrutinizing the original habitat of the - breed, and bringing over the best cows and bulls. Here is a summary of a Catalogue of imported heifers in quarantine till December 12, 1883, on the farm of the Unadilla Valley Herd, S. Hoxie, Whitestown, N. Y., giving the number of the im portation, name, time of calving, and the milk rate of the mother with this calf for one day and for ten days:
The average largest daily yield of the 29 cows was 66 pounds; and the average largest yield for 10 days for the 28 (the dam of No. 10 not given), 6343 pounds. Nos. 3, 11 and 19 are each given a daily record of 83.6. Of these No. 3 has the largest for 10 days; and here is her description in the Catalogue:
No. 3. Lady Seffinga, 2d, bred by W. Seffinga, Mars- sum, Friesland ; calved March 19, 1882; sire, Willem ; dam, Lady Seffinga.
Black predominating; shield; white upon the nose, over shoulders and over hips; white belly, legs and lower half of tail. Milk record of dam at six years of age, after dropping this calf, on grass alone, two milkings per day; largest yield, 83.6 lb.; Ten days, 796.4 lb. Earmark 126.
Other milk records of imported cows: Maid of Twisk, 15,9605/8 lb. in 336 days. Jacoba Hertog, two years old, 10,430 lb. This
cow in 1881 weighed 1120 lb., and gave in 16
days 1185 lb., or 65 lb. more than her live
weight. Cjristji Bleeker, 14,220 lb.
Performance in the United States.—This is of course the point of the deepest interest: not what have they done in North Holland, but what are they doing here ? The Holstein Herd-Book, Vol. 5, will help answer this question.
Smith & Powell, Syracuse, N. Y., report 22 cows, of which 13 were milked 365 days, with an aggregate result of 246,927 lb., or an average of 11,223 lb. The largest yield in a single day was 84 lb., and the smallest 34 lb. The largest yield for 30 consecutive days was 2309 lb., and the
* The “ earmark” is a small piece of flattened steel wire, stamped with number or name, or both, inserted in the ear as a lady wears her ear-rings.
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
241
smallest 931. The oldest cow was 7 years and the youngest 2 years 10 mo. at the end of the year. Cow Jannek, whose average weekly record of milk was about 250 lb., made in one week 19 lb. 15 oz., and in 10 days 28 lb. 3½ oz.
T. C. Maxwell & Bro., Geneva, N. Y., report 17 cows, of which 4 were milked the 365 days, with an aggregate result of 9178+ lb. The largest yield in a single day was 73 lb., and the smallest 29 lb. The largest yield for 30 consecutive days was 2067¾ lb., and the smallest 839. The oldest cow was 6 years and the youngest 2 ye. 7 mo. at the end of the year. Cow Eltona made 17 lb. 14 oz. of butter in 7 days and 35 lb. 3 oz. in 14 days, her milk-yield during the same being from 59 to 63 lb. per day.
T. G. Yeomans and Sons, Walworth, N. Y., re port 18 cows, none of which were in milk for a full year, the 18 cows aggregating 1775 days, or an average of a little over 98 days each, the whole record beginning some as early as Jan. 20, and all ending June 14, 1881. The entire yield was 77,643 lb. 10 oz., or an average of 4313+ lb. each for the time. The largest yield in a single day was 78 lb. 12 oz., and the smallest 40 lb. 12 oz. The largest yield for 30 consecutive days was 2130 lb. 8 oz., and the smallest 1067 lb. 11 oz. The oldest cow at the end of record was 8 ye. 6 mo.; 2 ye. 5 mo. Lady Walworth made 19 lb. of butter in 1 week, 37 lb. 6oz. in 2 weeks; Ophelia
HOLSTEIN COW, AAGGIE 2D, OWNED BY T, G. YEOMANS &
Sons, Walworth, N. Y.
(two years) made 13 lb. 5 oz., and Georgie (two years) 12 lb. 2 oz. of butter in a week.
John Mitchell, Meadowbrook Farm, Orange County, N. Y., reports among other cows, Frieda in one day 77 lb.; one month 2232 lb.; six months 10,190 lb.; and in one year 16,076 lb.
Carey R. Smith, Iowa City, Iowa: of the cow Mink: “Her yield is as follows: for ten days, when on trial for butter, 815 lb. of milk, from the cream of which was made 29 lb. 6 oz. of butter; best consecutive ten days, 849 lb. of milk; best daily yield, 91 lb.; monthlv yield, 2490½ lb.; yearly yield, 16,628½ lb.” 16
Gerrit S. Miller, Peterboro, N. Y.: “Johanna produced 12,264 lb. of milk in 11 months; was milked twice daily, except during a few days in August when, with three milkings she reached 98 lb. per day. Nanny Smit (two years old), dur ing her first 30 days, in milk, gave 1293 lb.; lar gest yield in one day, 50 lb. During the present season we have given three cows of our herd a month's test, with the following results : On
Holstein Bull, Billy Boelyn, owned by G. S. Miller,
Peterboro, N. Y.
the 21st day of May, Ondine, No. 828, completed a thirty-one days’ trial; total yield of milk, 2545¼ lb.; average per day, 82 lb. 1 oz. ; best 10 consecutive days, 847¼ lb.; average per day for best 10 consecutive days, 86 lb. 3 oz. It was du ring these 6 days that she reached her best daily yield, 90½ lb.; her three milkings on that day were 31, 31 and 29½ lb.; of 27 consecutive milk- ings, 23 ranged from 28 to 31 lb. each. Her food consisted of long dry hay and a mixture of grain (wheat bran being the largest portion), fed dry in varying quantity; the total amount would be about equal to 18 qts. daily; no slop or liquid, except water, was given. Empress, No. 539 (ten years old, and a cripple, having nearly lost the use of one hind leg from injuries received on shipboard), and Johanna, No. 344, were turned int a lot where the feed was good ; they had grain when they would take it; some days they re fused it. During the month of August Empress gave 2276½ lb. ; largest amount in one day, 81 lb.; average per day, 73½ lb. Johanna was sold during the latter part of the month at her best flow of milk, and the trial ended. During the last 31 days she was in my possession, she gave 2407t lb.; average per day, 77¾ lb.; average for last 23 days, 80 lb.; best yield in one day, 88 lb.
“There are now 18 cows (over two years old) in milk in the Kriemhild herd, and the average of the best day's yield of 10 of them is 68 lb.”
And Mr. Miller adds it as his “belief that se lected cows of this breed will make as much, if not more, butter than those of any other breed.”
From sources outside the Herd-Book : Smith and Powell report, in Breeder s Gazeite, May 10, 1883: Clothilde, three years old, gave in one
242 THE FRIEND OF ALL.
year 15,622 lb. 2 oz. Addie, three years old, in 11½ months, 13,521 lb. 2 oz.
Cow Echo, 121.—(For portrait, see page 241.) This cow has furnished the largest year's product of milk yet reported in the United States. She belongs to F. C. Stevens, Esq., Maplewood Stock Farm, Attica, N. Y. Mr. Stevens writes : “ On March 11, 1882, she gave birth to a heifer calf, which ran with her until the 20th, when we be gan to milk her. On the 20th of May she was turned out to pasture. During the season she had the same care as the rest of my stock, and no more. In September she was taken to the Western New York Fair, at Rochester, and was away from home one week. The last week in December, for the first time during the year, I figured up the milk records of my herd; and finding Echo's so large, I thought something might be done with her; so I instructed my men to feed her three pailfuls of bran per day (just double what she had been having since she came from pasture). When in the stable she had fifty-five pounds of corn ensilage, six pounds of hay, or twelve of cut straw, with the amount of bran named. The following is the record by months:
“ From March 20 until June 5 she was milked twice a day. From June 5 until August 4 she was milked three times a day. The rest of the year only twice a day.”
Echo was bred by Mr. Miller, of Peterboro, al ready referred to, and sold by him as a three- year-old. He also bred and sold Ægis No. 69, who has made a year‘s record of 16,823 lb. 10 oz.
Milk Sold.—Here is one instance: S. N. Wright, South Elgin, Ill.: “I send you the milk record of my dairy of twenty-seven grade Holstein cows for the year 1882, as follows: 219,900 lb. milk, bringing me net $2638.80, averaging 8107 lb. of milk per head, netting $97.73 per head. I en deavor to have my cows go dry at least sixty days, which shows the cows were in milk on an average of 303 days, and that the twenty-seven cows gave me an average of a little over 26½ lb. of milk per day. This milk was taken to the butter and cheese factory, owned and operated
by the Elgin Co-operative Creamery Association. The cows are nearly all of my own raising, using always the best full-blood Holstein bulls I can get, and selecting the best heifer calves.”
One Instance of Fattening.—T. B. Wales, Iowa City, Iowa: “I would like to hear of a Short- Horn, Hereford, Polled Angus or any animal of any breed that can equal the gain in weight made by one of my calves, Jaap 4th, 1337, calved Aug. 30, 1882, as per statement below. It is not im possible that this little fellow, when of age, may get away with some of the fat-stock-show sweep stakes premiums. The weighings have been made by disinterested parties who are ready to take oath to their truth. The sire of this calf, Jaap (451), and his dam Tietje 2d (726), were both members of the first-prize herd at St. Louis last fall. Feb. 9, 1883, weighed 550 lb., March 8 weighed 674 lb.; gain in twenty-seven days, 124 lb.; April 7 weighed 834 lb.; gain in thirty days, 160 lbs. May 8 weighed 954 lb.; gain in thirty- one days, 120 lb. It will be seen that from March 8 to April 7, thirty days, the gain was five and one third pounds per day, and at eight months and nine days he weighed 954 pounds.”
Comparisons. — Conrad Wilson made several comparative statements in the article already referred to. He makes the milk-yield of 9 Hol- steins 144,137 lb., to which add Echo's 18,120, and we have the milk-yield of 10, 162,257 lb., or an average of 16,225+ lb. Taking the best speci men he can find of the Short-Horns, theDevons, the Ayrshires, the Jerseys, and natives, he gets 56,966 lb., or 11,400 lb. each cow, an average of 4825 below the Holsteins. But when he comes to butter he finds an average of 596½ lb. per cow for 10 Jersey cows; and the highest specimen he can get from each of the same five classes, in which he gives 509 lb. to the Holstein, only brings the average to “473 lb. per cow, being 120 lb. less than the average of 10 Jerseys, and 300 lb. less than the product of the best Jersey,” which is 778 lb. for Darling‘s Eurotas. He gives four daily yields higher than Miller‘s Ondine 90½ lb. But, as the highest of all is Miller‘s Empress, 108 lb., and that is not claimed as a record she has made here, but one made in Holland before she was imported, it leaves the head of the class rather misty.
Their Status.—Different breeders and dairymen will continue to differ in opinion; and the Short- Horn, the Hereford, the Ayrshire, the Jersey, the Holstein and others will continue each to be regarded by its friends as the best breed. Cer tainly the Holsteins are ranking, if not at the head, at least very near it; and there is none likelier to stand in 1900 at the top for work, for beef, for milk and for butter.
The Secretary of the “ Holstein Breeders’ As-
BREEDS OF CATTLE IN THE UNITED STATES. 243
sociation of America” is Thomas B. Wales, Jr., Iowa City, Iowa; Editor, Gerrit S. Miller, Peter- boro, N. Y. For the Dutch Frisian, H. Lang- worthy, West Edmeston, N. Y., is Corresponding Secretary and Agent; and animals are kept for exhibition and sale by Mr. S. Hoxie, Whites- town, N. Y.
Holstein Points.—
BULLS—HEAD MODERATELY LONG, FINE AND CLEAN-CUT.
Forehead broad between eyes and slightly dishing.......... 1
Face tapering, muzzle medium.............................. 1
Cheek small................................................ 2
Nostrils prominent and open................................ 1
Horns short, moderately fine, curving forward.............. 2
Ears fine and moderate in size............................. 1
Eyes large, bright and round................................ 2
Neck clean-cut at throat, arched, long, strongly set on shoulders, carrying the head on or above a line with the
back................................................... 3
Shoulders broad and flat on top, same height with hips..... 5
Chest very broad, deep and full ............................ 10
Chine level with shoulder-blades and straight............... 2
Crops full and even with shoulders.......................... 8
Barrel well rounded, well ribbed up to hips, broad and
deep, of good length and deep flank ................... 6
Back straight from shoulders to setting on of tail, broad and
flat..................................................... 4
H ips broad and flat, level with back........................ 3
Rump long, straight, broad and flat, carrying width well
back................ ................................... 6
Quarters long, straight, deep, with thighs well rounded out side ..................................................... 6
Legs short, strong and straight, tapering, fine bone, broad
forearm, in position firm and wide apart................ 6
Tail starting at a level with back, tapering, long and fine,
heavy switch............................................ 2
Hide, skin soft, loose, mellow, of medium thickness, and
covered with a yellowish dandruff...................... 8
Hair soft, fine and velvety.................................. 4
Escutcheon first-class, first order............................ 8
Teats, four well-developed teats, set well apart............. 2
Size, medium to large...................................... 3
General appearance and symmetry.......................... 4
Color distinctly black and white............................ o
Perfection..............................................100
COWS—HEAD MODERATELY LONG, FINE AND CLEAN-CUT.
Forehead broad between eyes and slightly dishing.......... 1
Face tapering, muzzle medium.................. ........... 2
Cheek small................................................. 1
Nostrils prominent.......................................... 1
Horns moderately fine, curving forward.................... 2
Ears fine and moderate in size.............................. 1
Eyes large, full, bright and mild............................ 2
Neck clean-cut and fine at throat, rather long, rather slim,
well set on shoulders, carrying head on or above the line
of back.................................................. 4
Chest broad, full and moderately deep...................... 5
Shoulders lower than hips and moderately thick............ 3
Chine level with shoulders and straight.................... 1
Crops full and level with shoulders.......................... 5
Barrel well rounded, well ribbed back, deep, good length,
increasing in size towards hips___ ..................... 5
Back straight, broad and flat, with distinct depressions be-
tweed the vetebræ at the junction with chine............ 3
Hips broad and flat, level with back........................ 3
Rump long, broad, roomy and nearly level, carrying breadth
of hips well back....... ............................... 5
Quarters straight, long, deep, well developed, with thighs
full and round outside, but open and roomy for udder... 3 Legs short, clean, tapering, with fine bone, strong arm, in
position firm and wide apart, with feet of medium size,
round; solid and deep................................... 4
Tail set on level with back, long, slim, tapering, heavy
switch.................................................... 2
Hide, skin soft, loose, mellow, of medium thickness, and
covered with yellowish dandruff........................ 6
Hair soft, fine and velvety.................................. 3
Escutcheon first-class, first order.......................... 7
Udder carried high, extending well forward, well up be hind, with even quarters, large but not fleshy, covered
with soft, short and fine hair............................ 14
Teats convenient size, squarely placed and wide apart...... 3
Milk-veins very prominent, great length, branching, termi nating in large, clearly defined orifices.................. 5
Size, medium to large....................................... 6
General appearance and symmetry.......................... 3
Color distinctly black and white in any proportion.......... o
Perfection.............................................100
In females, before first calf, the fourteen points given to udder are not considered, and perfection is denoted by eighty- six points.
Uncertainty of Records.—There is so apt to be in all reports an element of variance with the real fact! Dr. Johnson actually saw the Cock- lane ghost, although there was no ghost for the doctor to see. On the track under the rules of the National Association, records are not always implicitly accepted. How much less when the checks and guards there maintained, are absent! The writer quoted to an agriculturist a certain record, at which he smiled incredulously, and re plied : “ Would you bet on a race where the other man drove his horse and held the watch?” But, for all the croakings of pessimists, the rogues are in the minority; and the returns of milk and butter from different animals are in the main reliable, and need discounting as little as the record of any other class of facts. One man will weigh a little more buttermilk and salt with his butter than another.
The “Paster.”—Experience seems to be teach ing that the pasturing of cattle, except where land is very cheap and fertile, is too expensive a way of feeding. A herd of fine cattle, dotting a spacious expanse of verdure, each head bent low to earth and cropping succulence to be afterward elaborated into muscle, milk or fat, affords a pic turesque sight, one always dear to the artist and the poet. But if, as seems proved, an acre of good land, properly cultivated, will keep two cows in the stable, the stable will win. Every farmer and dairyman has his own theory, and don‘t care to accept that of another; and the appetites of cattle are not alike or uniform with them selves, any more than the appetites of men and women. The race of lean and ill-favored kine that eat up seven fat ones and then don‘t show it, will still remain, though careful breeding will reduce their number and their gauntness. The use of Ensilage, which the reader will find treated under Farming, opens a new and promising field, and bids fair to inaugurate results not yet anywhere obtained.
244
THE FRIEND OF ALL.
The Naming of Cattle.—Queen Victoria is lately reported as opposing a proposed railroad, because a part of its line must be visible from her chosen retreat. Sometimes it seems as if one must pre- ier the picturesque to the useful. East and West 23d or 50th Street seem so common place by the side of the beautiful names these avenues might have borne; and the mathematical regularity of Philadelphia, useful and convenient as it is, excites a momentary longing for the more natural irregularities of Old New York, Brooklyn and Boston. So in naming animals. Why should a cow which can be auctioned off for more than $40,000 be called the “8th Duchess of Geneva,” with such a pedigree as is printed on page 244? The Dutch names on page 250, un couth and hard to pronounce as so many of them are, seem to have an individuality and charm
that the others lack. If the prosaic numbers must go in, they must; but let them be fastened to an attractive surname. How pleasant these names sound and read, from a single week‘s sale at Kansas City in April 1883: Waterside Ida, Mirth, Beauty 11th, Nightingale 15th, Carpie, Dorianne, Fermillian, Lochnagar, Barbarian, Re mus, Blackthorn, Bluebeard 7th, Falstaff (we hope this buH‘s performance may be better than his prototype's, though his dispositions couldn‘t be), Scotch Lassie, Lady Phyllis, Idlewild, etc. etc. One English nobleman famous on the turf — Palmerston, was it?—named his horses from Homer's Iliad. Do, if you can, select for your cow or your bull a name whose sound and sight shall attract and not repel. Some men would prefer Ondine, with a pound a day less at the pail, to Bungtown 16th, with a pound more.
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