The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1873-03-07
NJ Doctor 1. D. More
Cattle Talk.

lne Thpiuitl WIN "hN" s'e '>'os"
horn or Durham breed Of cattle has
gained celebrity is quite remarkable.
Previous to the present century they bad
no reputation, even In Englacd, except .
local one.
Mr.. Charles Colling, one of the carli-
est Shorthorn breeders Of any note, took
Q bull calf. made him a steer, and fed
him until he was five years old for the
purpose Of exhibiting him and attracting
attention to the breed. Iu 1901 he sold
him to Mr.. Bulmer, to be taken around
the country in England for exhibition.
He was called the Durham Ok and
weighed 1924 pounds. Similar nam
moth oxen have Travelled in this country.
It was as late as 1915 that the FIRST Of
the breed was brought to this country.
to Rensselaer, county, New York--st
least the first to which the pedigrces
have been traced. In 1917, Colonel
Lewis Sanders, of Lexington, Kentucky.
i'm ported three bulls and three heifers
from England, and laid the foundation
for many excellent herds in that State
At this time the Short-horns have spread
throughout the country, fiom the Allan
tic to the Pacific, and probably greatly
outnumber all other foreign breeds put
together. They have recently been pur-
chased in New York, Illinois, and Ken
tucky, for expectation to Japan.
In the present condition of Shorthorn
popularity, or fashion. it may be well to
consider in what respects they excel other
breeds; to what localities they are adapt
ed; the causes of their popularity; the
evil effects of II; and the questions often
asked of late: Does the breeding Of
Short-horns psyi Is it likely to pay IN
the future!
The Short-borns excel Others chiefly
in size, magnificent proportions, beauii@
full lines, full round carcass. and giving
the largest quantity of choice flesh with
the least proportion of oiIal. In facs
there are other breeds-as the Devon
and Hereford-that very nearly equal
them in every respect except in size. and
some that are their superiors in having
flesh Of finer grain and teudarer qualify
and bearing . better price "a 3esx
markets.
The Short-horns are adapted to ~
grazing regions; luxurious feeding ~
must have, from early calfbood = ~
maturity, in order to attain their PERI
ton. Tho bluegrass region q Ko~
tucky. rich valleys or rich rolling prsi-
ries, gently undulating soils, with .
luxurious growth of grasses upon them,
make proper homes for Short-horns. The
high-bred Short-horn is too massive and
sluggish to wander over hills where the
grass is short and scanty to gather the
ample supply of food that he requires.
In magnificent size. great beauty, and
perfection as beef animals, tho Short
horns have no equal in this country.
For early maturity they are equal to the
best. These qualities, in connection
with the fact that they have been largely
in the hands of wealthy gentlemen who
have been unsparing in devotion to their
improvement and best development, have
gained for them their great popularity.
They have become very fashionable. and
the fashion is, in the West especially, to
breed for beef qualities exclusively.
With no other breed can so grand dis
play be made at the fairs. No Other
breed is so well suited to the purposes
and taste of gentlemsn breeders. who
breed cattle for fancy, for notoriety, or
for the interest which naturally attaches
to the rearing Of fine animals.
While the short-horn fincy has put
money into the pockets Of wealthy breed
ers, its effects have boon disastriously or
unsatisfactory in too many instances.
Farmers like to be in the fashion; they
are naturally ambitious TO inproye thell
cattle by means Of the magniaoent
Shorthorus. 80 much admired by every
one; they take in the fashionable ides
that they must have big cattle. If they
inquire "what improved breed Of cattle
shall geti" the chances are that will be
told SECT the Short-horns BY ali means
there Is nothing like them" In some
cases the advice is good; in more, it ID
bad. If the object is to raise cattle for
any other purpose than beef the Short
horn is not the best. II tho farmer il
: not willing or prepared to give them the
high feeding and careful attention tc
J which they have been accustomed. they
will dwindle. and he would do better tc
take cattle better fitted for shifting fol
themselves. If he lives in hilly OF
; mountainous region he will have indif
fersnt to bad success with Shorthorns ID
nine cases out Of ten. Elm, sycamore,
cottonwood and black walnut trees grow
: to magnificent proportions on rich bot
tom lands-their natural home; they ars
not natural To lean, hungry soils. ant
cannot be made to attain the same per
fection in them. Il is 50 with the ShoS'
, horns; to undertake 10 breed and real
. the mammoth framed cattle on poor soil
and steep hillsidss. Is to attempt wha'
Is contrary 20 patureand 6tnessof things