The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-05-08 00:00:00

SPANISH CATTLE.

Within the last ten years there has been exhibited
at our cattle markets some grand animals from Spain.
At first, when they made their appearance on our
shores, they were half-starved looking creatures, a
perfect " ruckle of banes," as the Scotch—who were
mainly the importers at that time, and still are—called
them. Now they have risen to a perfection in form
which is scarcely to be equalled by any of our native
breeds. The cattle imported from Corunna and Oporto
are some of the most symmetrical in form that can be
found. The quality of flesh is certainly inferior to the
Aberdeenshire, but not in the case of the best more
than from 4d. to 6d. per stone of 8 lbs. These cattle
have never yet been settled in the United Kingdom,
but we think it might be worth while to try them. If
they could be properly reared they would certainly
be almost as fine an animated feature in a gentle-
man's park as Highlanders, and one great thing in
their favour is that they would not be nearly so
dangerous. And in gentlemen's parks, as we all know,
picturesqueness is subsidiary is some degree at least to
profit.

The history of the Queens of Spain now living is
given briefly as follows : —Queen Christina, born April 26th,
1806 -; married Ferdinand VII., December 11th, 1829; widow,
Soptbmber 29th, 1833. Queen Isabella IL, daughter of Fer-
dinand VII. and Princess Christina of the two Sicilies. born
October 10th, 1830: succeeded to the throne on the death of
her father; deposed, September 29th, 1868. Queen Mar-
guerite, wife of Amadeus I. Duke of Aosta, who accepted
the Spanish crown October 20th, 1870, and abdicated Feb-
ruary 11th, 1873. Queen Maria, married, February 6th, 1847,
to his "Most Sacred Majesty' Charles VIL (Don Carlos).
And if Alphonso marries, his wife will be Queen No. 6.

EMIGRATION TO MINNESOTA.

Mr. A. Waters writes to The Times, from Ongai, Essex
"There are so many English gentlemen of liberal
education but of limited means who are looking about
for some occupation either in the Colonies or else-
where, by which they can not only obtain a living but
materially improve their circumstances, that 1 con-
sider my own experience abroad may not be without
its use to those who entertain the idea of emigration.
Two years ago I intended emigrating to New Zealand,
and anxiously inquired the probabilities of
success in that distant Colony, and I found
that without a larger amount of capital than
I could command there were delays and diffi-
culties which I was not prepared to encounter. My
attention was then called to Minnesota, United States,
and from the very favourable report of the nature of
the large and immediate profits to be realized,
determined to purchase some land and try my luck
in that State. Early in May, 3874, I and my wife
started from Liverpool, and in fourteen days arrived at
our destination. We found a most charming country,
a most enjoyable climate, and what was more to my
purpose, a soil of rich black loam, fertile even beyond
my expectations. Last year was a bad year for farming
operations in those parts, on account of the plague of
grasshoppers which exceptionally visited this State, bn t
notwithstanding this drawback, experience teaches
me, and this is confirmed by the settlers who have
located themselves in Minnesota, that taking one year
with another 100 per cent. per annum profit can be
realized on outlay in the purchase and occupation and
cultivation of the land. To a sporting man too,
Minnesota offers special advantages, which can hardly
be surpassed in any country to which English-
men emigrate. Prairie-chickens, rabbits, and witd
fowl of all sorts and descriptions are to be found
in abundance, giving constant sport and an
excellent supply for the table. I could, indeed,
mention many other advantages and luxuries which
are to be found in this delightful country, which can-
not be had by men of limited means in any part of
Europe, nor, I believe, in most of our colonies. But'
fearing to trespass too much on your space, I will only
say in one word that I cannot believe any country will
afford so profitable investments of small capital, such
cheap living, and such sound advantages as Minnesota.
Family circumstances will keep me in England until
next spring, and in the meantime I shall be glad to
give every information to any intending emigrant."