Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-04-11
The Herefords.


In reply to correspondent as to the
character of the Hereford cattle, the
Western Rural says:
1.-The Herefords are an English breed
and of remote origin. 1t is no: definite
ly known exactly when their improve
ment began, but during the last century
they have been bred with great intelli-
gence and enthusiasm and it is no dis
paragement TO the other breeds to say
that there are no better breed of cattle
in the world to-day than the Herefords.
There is certainly not a harder breed
nor breed that will return more for
what it consumes, or that will do better
nor as well, with what we would call
Indifferent keep. Except in some par
ticulars we do not claim that the Here
ford is superior to ithe Shorthorn, and
in some respects we might be induced
to prefer the latter to the former. But
the Hereford has not suffered in breed
ing as many of the Shofthorns have, a
truth which we think all must admit.
The Shorthorn had the unquestionable
misfortune for years of not having any
competition, and the further misfortune
Of being borne upon q very high wave
of excitement. The things together
operated to cause an intense competi-
ton among the Shorthorns themselves
10 secure the most admiration. There
was but one way to do this, in view of
the excitement to which we have refer
red, and that was to breed and feed for
looks. Naturally fat makes handsome
animal, If there is any symmetry in its
frame, and hence fat Was the grand OBJ
ject to be obtained. The animal was
bred with q special view Of taking on
fat readily, was fattened until it could
scarcely carry more fat, was shown in
the ring, and was then used for breed
ing purposes. There is but one result
Of such course of breeding and feed
ing, and that is less constitutional Wig
or. We state again what we have stat
ed so many times, that we cannot make
a healthy animal, or perfectly vigor-
GUS breed; by forcing fat and starving
the bone and MUSCLE. We have before
expressed the opinion, and express it
again that many Of our Shorthorns have
suffered greatly from this incorrect sys-
tenn Of forcing. That does not mean.
however, that any family of Shorthorns
are permanently injured. They can be
brought back to their original vigor by
pursuing rational course with them,
and now that they are being brought in
to competition with the Herefords they
are being brought back. The Hereford
as rule has NOT suffered from this
cause. They are . strong; rugged, Wig
orous animal, fact which is attested
by their popularity on the plains. In a
section of country where there is the
best Of food and plenty of it, we do not
believe that the Hereford would prove
more profitabl6 than a good Shorthorn,
but we do believe that 1t would prove
equally as profitable. In sections where
there Is n0t the best Of food or plenti-
full supply, the Hereford is unquestion-
ably preferable.
To what we have said there Is little
to add, except TO say that the paul.
ityof Hereford beef is unexcelled. We
do not know that it would be safe to say
more, although is some cases Of com
petitive tests, the beef of the Hereford
has proved TO be superior. As mixers
Hereford cows give rich milk which
makes a very fine quality of butter.