The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1870-02-23
Cattle.

THE idea that man can secure for any amount
Of current gold and silver an animal equally good
in the stall and. on the pasture as dairy COW
and as q meat-producing animal, is now recognized
as Utopian vision. The nearest approach to
TO such happy state Of things is to be found in
suiting the stock TO the farm on which they are
to be kept Thus, In rich, alluvial bottoms.
where deep pasture is to be found for the greater
part of the year. and where root crops are easily
raised there is no description of stock more gen
orally profitable than the aristocratic short horn.
On light soils, under genial sky, where the
grasses are nutritious, yet less succulent than in
river sheds and deltas, the Channel Island cattle
are what ought to be kept. Again in colder lat
itudes on rocky land, such as the limestone cliffs
of the West OF ireland and the stony hills Of
Southwestern Scotland, the Ayreshirss are pre-
eminently suited These three breeds are dis
tinctvely and Individually the three great sources
Of wealth from which the farmer may hope to
draw an inexhaustbe supply. Although the
pure bred short horn is race formed by aitif-
cal means, it now exhibits all the iDdividualities
Of a distinct family. The fineness Of the horn,
the peculiar softness of the brindled coat the ele
gance Of the head and also of the general outline
Of the animal together with the early develop
ment of growth, and consequent value as meat
producer, thereby saving time and bringing in
higher percentage on given sum in giving time,
and still more the good and abundant milk yielded
by the cows, all contribute TO render short horns
the best stock under favorable circumstances
where the dairy and the market are both regarded
as a means of profit. On the other hand, the Ay-
reshire will thrive where the short horn will Ian
guish The COWS are still better mixers and the
males as beef cattle come up in just as prime
order, although they never attain the same weight
as the short horn and, also, if they consume less,
in a twelvemouth, they do not develop SO quick
ly as the other breed. The Channel Island cat
tie are entirely suited for small and fancy farming
In quantity and quality their milk is unsurpassed
1t yields more butter than the milk of any other
breed of horned cattle, and these cows are of
such gentle, domestic nature, that they thrive
alone all they require is human friendship. They
will remain cOntentedly tethered singly on lawn,
or will range IN the open glades Of a park. GER
tain to be homewsrd bound at their usual milking
hours. To speak ofthese cattle as meat produc-
ers, would appear out of place. They are essent-
tally intended for the dairy. They prosper on
light soil and in warm attitudes. The many
other varieties of horned cattle next claim short
notice. OF these we will place the Devons and
Herefords side by side. The sheeted Devon,
with her spreading horns is nobe-looking beast.
She deserves all the care lavshed on her IN her
native country, where she is regarded as the
queen Of the homestead. If her milk is not SO
abundant or fully so rich as that of the Channel
Island cattle. it surely is only second. Devon
shire cotted cream is Of worid-wi notoriety.
As meat producer these cattle stand WELL The
Herefords and Durhams are profitable stock, but
hey cannot stand as high as their lordly offshoot,
he short horns in that they are slower of devel-
,pment, and though they are less delicate, are
lot 10 any way more profitable to the careful
tockowner. The cattle raised in the Highlands
# Scotland are of several distinct breeds They
ire rugged and hardy and most picturesque. At
tx years old Highland steer. in prime order for
he butcher, is Just as good beef as it is possible
o procure. These varied breeds all possess the
ame hardy attributes and thrive more on rocky
,asture, where the heritage is short and sweet,
han on richer and more succulent pastures.
Passing from the British Isles into Central Eu-
ope, we find other varieties of horned cattle.
france owes much to English blood. so we pass
yer the somewhat mongrel breeds Of Ia grdnde
dtion and hasten to take glance at the stately
FEATURES that stl do the greater part of the work
ssigned in other lands to the horse and to the
team engine. In sunny Italy, beyond the Alps,
nd at the foot Of the Apennines, are a breed Of
gray colored cattle, worthy Of the
encil of Rosa Bopheur. They are so gentle, so
lately, and witha so useful, that the love hl Ow
upon them by the peasant farmers Of 1raly is
OF TO be wondered at. These cattle have in
ONE parts of the peninsula hard time enough.
o work and not to lounge is their lot. Even the
ows pillow and do carting work. while the steers,
checked with roses and ribbons, draw carts as
nde as those used in the days Of Imperial Rome,
al of laughing country girls and their dark-eyed
,vers. Four of these huge ceaturers plod along
he dusty highway, caressed and screamed at al
ernately by their drivers. Certainly the pace
not ruinous yet the little necessary to be
one is somehow got through. and under that
,vely italian sky deep drink at the first foun-
ain and bed on natures carpet, with scanty
1pply of wholesome provender, sufices for life
When those animals grow too old for farm work
hey are allowed 20 range the pastures, and af-
sr a few months of idleness are said to be fat
nd are slaughtered. The beef is never really |
God, still it is eatabe and wholesome.
The milk of the cattle grazed in Lombardy and
'iedmont is rich ard toIerably abundant. 1t
akes the finest CHEESE in Europe, and the but
,r bearing the Milan brand commands a high |
rice in all southern markets. This same race o
lttIe are also found on the Roman Campagna,
here in heightened single file they pillow the rich
orn land more by the breaking of the earth by
leir own weight than by means Of the antique
OGDEN implement that they drag after them
Ta,r Yo,.L Times