Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-01-26
North Devon Cattle.

North Devon Cattle.
THE head should be small lean and bony,
the forehead wide fat, or from fullness of the
frontal bone over the eyes, somewhat dishing;
the face straight; the muzzle fine; the nOstrils
open the lips thin and rather flat.
The nose Of light, delicate orange color.
The eye should be bright, prominent, and
clear, but mild and gentle in It's expression, as
indicative of that spirited but tractable DISPOSE
ton so necessary to cattle that must bear the
yoke beautiful orange cOlOred ring should
invariably surround the eye.
The ear thin, Of rich orange color within,
of medium size, with quick and ready move
ment, expressive of attention.
The horns light, tapering, Of a waXy color
toward the extremity, and gaily as well as
symmetrieally placed on the head; the occipi
tai bone narrow, thus bringing the base Of the
horns nearer together
The neck of medium length, somewhat light
in substance, very clean, and well set upon the
shoulder.
The chest deep and round carrying its full
ness well back Of the elbows, thus atfording, by
the aid of l.springing rib, abundant internal
room for Il 9 1tiOn of the thOTacic viscera, the
heart and lungs and that too without an ertreme
width forward, and between the points Of the
shoulders, which might interfere with the ac
lion of the animal.
The brisket-it being assumed that it adds
nothing to the internal capacity of the chest
must not overload the breast, but be sufficiently
developed to guarantee feeding property, at
tended with full proportion of fatty secretion.
The shoulder is, in this breed, a very beauti-
full and important point and should, in n degree,
approximate in form to that of the horse. 1t
should take more sloping position than is found
in most other breeds, with its points less pro
ecting and angular and the blade bone more
curved thus blending with and forming a fine
wither, rising little above the level line of the
back.
The crops full and even forming true line
with the somewhat rising shoulder and level
back, without either drop or hollow.
Back, lOin and hips, broad and wide, running
on a level with the setting on of the tail.
The rumps lying broad apart, high and well
covered.
The pelvs wide.
The twist full and broad.
The quarters long and thoroughly filed up
between the hooks, or hip bones, and the rumpS,
with good muscular development down the
thigh to the hooks
The flank moderately deep, full and mellow
in proportion to condition.
The legs not too short, and standing as
square and straight behind as may be compati-
BILE with activity. The bone quite small be-
low the hook and knee; the sinewS large and
clean, with the fore arm we'll developed.
The carcass round and straight its pOSterior
ribs almost circular, extending well back, and
springing nearly horizontally from the vertebra
giving, in fact, much greater capacity than
would at first appear
The tail, at its junction, level with the back
long very slender in its cord, and finishing with
a tassel of white hair.
The color, in its shades and degrees, is more
or less governed by fashion but in the Devon is
always red. Formerly rich bloOd-red was
the fVorite color, and test of purity and now
a somewhat lighter color is in vogue approach
ing rather nearer to that of the South Devon
which is a larger coarSer, stronger animal In
all cases the color grows lighter round the muz-
zle, while dark mahogany color, verging al
most to black, and growing yet darker about
the head, always was very questionable color
for true North Devon, more especially when
accompanied by dark nose.
The hair should be short, thick and fine and
if showing on its surface a fine curl or ripple, it
looks richer in color and is supposed to indicate
a harder and more thrifty animal.
The udder should be such as will afford the
best promise of capacity and product.
Carriage-thc DevOns having, from their eX-
cellence in theyoke, another destiny beside that
of the butchers block, it is all important that
the animals carriage should indicate as much /;
but to obtain this, something of the heavy inert,
squarely moulded frame of the merely beeiing
animal must be relinquished for lighter and
more active frame.
Qauiity-on this the thritneSs, the feeding
properties and the value of the animal depends ;
and upon the touch of this quality rests in a
good measure, the grazer's and the butchers
Judgment. If the touch " be good some def
cheney of form may be excused but fit be hard
and stitf nothing can compensate for so unprO-
missing feature. In raising the skin from the
body, between the thumb and finger, it should
have soft, flexible and substantial feel, and
when beneath the Outspread hand, it should
move easily with it and under it, as though
resting on a SOFT elastic, cellular substance
which, however, becomes tirmer as the animal
"ripens" a thin papery skin is Objectionable,
more especially in a cold climate.
As regards the male animal, it is only ne
cessary to remark that the points desirable in
the female are generally so in the male, but
must of course, be attended by that masculine
character, which is inseparable from strong,
vigorous constitution. Even a certain degree
10 coarseness is admissible, but then it rust be
so exclusively of masculine description rs
never TO be discovered in the females of his get
In cOntra-distinction to the cows, the head
Of the bull may be shorter, the frontal bone
broader, and the occipital fiat and stronger,
that it may receive and sustain the horn and
this latter may be excused if a little heavy at
the base, so its upward form, its quality and
color be right. Neither is the loOseneSS Of the
skin attached to and depending from the under
Jaw to be deemed other than feature ofthe sex,
provided it is not extended beyond the bone,
but leaves the gullet and throat clean and free
from dewlap
The upper portion of the neck should be full
and muscular for it is an indication of strength,
power and constitution. The spine should he
strong the bones Of the loin long and broad,
and the whole muscular system wide and thor
oughly developed over the entire frame.
The above description of the North Devon is
very explicit, and fully covers every point Of
excellence of this noble, and justly celebrated
animal, which is rapidly gaining public favor.
We have before expressed the opinion that
the Devon COW, would be found a valuable ac-
QUESTION to the herds of the South, and further
observation, conyinces us in that opinion, and
we are grateful to learn that a number of gen
tlemen are calculating to import few choice
animals into Tennessee, during the coming
Spring.
MAINE.-We have received cops Of the Mes.
sage OF Gov Hamlin 10 the Le,i,Ature Of Maine
Nearly half of il j. devoted % The dscu sion of
the suhect Of the late pra.iI.,ti.I .tios and II