and have contributed not a little to a prejudice which exists, in some parts of our country, against the short-horns.

At what exact period the cross was obtained, which has secured the present improved short-horn, is not very definitely known. One thing is certain, however, that the bull "Hubback" is considered as a starting point, from which most of our superior full-bred animals trace their descent.

This animal has been the subject of much controversy, especially as it regards the purity of his blood. It is quite probable that on one side, his sire, he possessed imported blood. The owner of his dam is said to have been a poor man, who used to graze his cow in the highway. The calf attracted the attention of some gentlemen who frequently saw him-and he was purchased by a Mr. Waistell, for eight pounds sterling, which was then considered a very high price for a calf less than a year old. He subsequently became the property of Mr. Coding, who confined the use of him to his own stock. The quality of his flesh, hide and hair, are said to have been very superior, and seldom equalled. As he was much smaller than the old Durhams, and a cross from him was found to be vastly superior to the original stock, and this followed up by further judicious crosses, ultimately secured the choice. breed we now have in such perfection, in this country, as well as in England.

While their superiority as milkers is in very many instances preserved, their aptitude to take on flesh at early maturity, and on the most desirable points is also secured; and they have a combination of superior qualities which no other breed possess, so far as my information extends. Wherever a cross has been obtained from a pure short horn of the desired qualities, the superiority is manifest in every respect. Their milking qualities are such as to induce those who have choice native milkers to select a cross from this breed-and when their excellence shall be more generally known, the practice will undoubtedly be far more extensively adopted than it is at present.

To me it is apparent that a cross from the short-horn with our best native stock, will secure to us a better breed of cattle than can be obtained from any other. Their superior excellence for the dairy and for the market, points them out as the breed which will be the most useful and profitable for us to encourage in this country. They take on flesh faster than the great majority of our native cattle, and it is believed with less feed. Those who have had experience on this subject are certainly best prépared to give an opinion, and so far as my information extends, [Assembly, No. 100.]

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they, almost without an exception, give the preference to the full-bred short-horns.

I would not be understood as confining the breed to a single crossbut would continue to pursue the crosses from full-bred male animals, as far as desirable; and I believe a breed can be secured from our own best native cows, that, in a few years, will give us as fine a stock as can be found, and certainly far superior to any other we now have. It has been objected to the short-horns that they are great consumers: it may be true that they are greater consumers than some of the smaller breeds; but, so far as my experience and observation extends, they are very hardy, easily kept on coarse food, and, taking into consideration their superior productiveness, are the cheapest animals a farmer can raise.

The alteration which may be made in the breed of animals, by selection and judicious crossing, can hardly be conceived by those who are not familiar with the subject. Great care is necessary in selecting animals for breeding; and the race should be examined, and their qualities ascertained, if possible, so that we may be sure they possess the qualities which are esteemed most desirable. It is of the highest importance to our farmers, that in the selection of animals from which to breed, they should secure those best calculated, on their native stock, to perfect a breed which may equal any other. That this can be done by a cross with the pure short-horn, I most fully believe: There is already evidence, in some portions of our own State, that ought to satisfy the most credulous. At many of our county fairs, animals have been exhibited, which would do no discredit to any breeder of full-bred animals; and the time is not far distant when they will successfully compete for the prizes which are awarded at our annual fairs. When this shall be the case, farmers will begin to look around, and while they may regret that they have so long delayed, they will endeavor to make up for this delay, by a careful and judicious attention to the subject for the future.

It seems to me that a great error is committed among our farmers, in not properly adapting the breeds of cattle to the soil, climate and purposes for which they are required. This or that particular breed, it is frequently said, "is the best for this country." But if we consider the great variety of soils, and the great variety of the vegetable productions of our vast domain, as well as the great diversity of climate embraced in a territory extending from 28 to about 48 degrees of latitude, it will appear obvious that the different sections require very different varieties of animals.

If we look at Great Britain as an example, we shall see none of this warring against nature by attempts to substitute one breed for all others; but in each section, that variety is chosen which is best suited to it. It is known that the cattle which graze the rich vales of the Tees and Humber, would die if placed on the bleak hills and mountains of Wales and Scotland.

Individuals certainly deserve much credit for their endeavors to improve our cattle by the introduction of breeds from abroad; and for

certain sections and certain purposes, there is no doubt that they are highly valuable. But is there not a large section of the country, for which none of the races we now have, are as well adapted as some which might be introduced? The practice of grazing cattle on the extensive prairie ranges of the west, for the purpose of beef, is becoming every year more common; and it is certainly an important desideratum to procure that variety which will yield the greatest amount of profit.

For the purpose mentioned, an active, vigorous animal is required— one that can bear the exertion necessary to support itself on those wide ranges, and whose hardiness of constitution will enable it to withstand the severest weather of that climate without shelter.

The West Highland cattle of Scotland, from the best knowledge I am able to get of them, I think would be best adapted to the object and purposes here mentioned, of any which could be obtained. They are a variety which may be said to be indigenous to the country where they are found, and in true natural characteristics, and genuine purity of blood, are unsurpassed by any race of animals now subject to the dominion of man.

Surrounded by the ocean, and formerly vulnerable at many points, Britain was in early times often subjected to the inroads of invading enemies. The property of the natives, in those days, consisted principally of their cattle; and as the encroachments of the conquerors forced them to retire to the mountain fastnesses, they naturally took as many of their animals as they could along with them. In their places of refuge, "retaining all their prejudices and customs, they were, jea"lous of the strict preservation of that which principally reminded them "of the happier days of their native country, before it had yielded to "a foreign yoke.

*

"In this manner, probably, was preserved the ancient breed of Bri"tish cattle." "As for Scotland, it in a manner set its in"vaders at defiance; or its inhabitants retreated for a while, and soon "returned on their pursuers. They were proud of their country, and "proud of their cattle as their choicest possession, and these were the "cattle preserved unmixed and undegenerated!" It thence resulted, that in Scotland, Wales, and certain districts of the West of England, the cattle have been the same for ages; while in all the eastern districts, the breed lost its original character-" it consisted of animals "brought from every neighboring and some remote districts, mingled "in every possible variety."

* British Cattle, page 10.

The characteristics of the West Highland cattle correspond, in a great degree, with the wild cattle of Chillingham Park. The principal dffierence is in their color-that of the wild cattle being white, and that of the Highlands mostly black; though it is said that it was not uncommon, till within a comparatively few years, to find animals of a dusky white color both among the Scotch and Welch breeds-a circumstance indicative of their affinity and common origin. The hides of the Highlanders are thick and mellow, covered with very long hair, closely set, which seems to have been designed as a protection against the severity of the climate under which they are bred.

The territory of Scotland lies mostly between 55 and 58 degrees of latitude, yet such is the astonishing hardiness of these cattle, that they subsist summer and winter on their native mountain ranges, without shelter, and generally without food of any kind but what the pastures of those wild regions afford. In winter, they browse on the heather, or paw away the snow with their feet, and crop the scanty grass from the mountain's side. Thus they live and thrive where other cattle would utterly starve. Such is their tendency to fatten, that when removed to favorable situations, it is said they will, with good feeding, frequently gain a third to a fourth of their weight in six months. Their proportion of offal is not greater than in most improved larger breedsthey lay their flesh and fat equally in the best parts; and when fat, the beef is fine in the grain, highly flavored, and so well mixed or marbled, that it commands the highest price in every market.

The best of the West Highland cattle are those belonging to the county of Argyle, and to the isle of Skye. The Argyle breed is the largest, and is said to retain fully the fine form and quality of the smaller breed of Skye. The former are generally preferred for the best grazing districts, and the latter for those less fertile and more exposed. The nett weight of the fat bullocks, at four or five years old, is said to be from 500 to 800 pounds, the four quarters-though the weight of the larger Argyle sort is sometimes considerably greater.

In the work on British Cattle, page 78, it is said, "there is no part of the highlands where the soil and climate are better adapted to the perfection of the breed than in Argyle, or where we oftener see the true characteristics of the best Highland cattle-short and somewhat strong in the shank, round in the body, straight in the back, well haired, and with a well-turned and rather small horn. There is no district in which the farmer so superstitiously, and yet we will say properly, refrains from foreign admixture. That fundamental principle is generally adopted