Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-12-27
CATTLE HussANoRv.
BEEF BREEDS AND THEIR VALUE.

At a recent meeting Of the Maritime
Cattle Breeders association Mr.. John
Hobson OF Guelph, Ontario, read paper
in which he said: 1.-The fairly remun-
erstive prices obtained Of late years for
dairy products as compared with the
low prices for beef have caused =
wonderful expansion Of the dairy in
dustry. Dairy herds have taken the
place of animals Of the beef breeds all
over the country, and even many long
established breeders OF pure-breed cat
tie have felt compelled TO follow the
current fashion. The inevitable result
Is now beginning 10 take place. Beef has
already appreciated in value and those
breeders OF beef cattle who persistently
held on the even tenor Of their ways
throughout, the depression are now COM
mencing TO reap the fruits of their wis
dom, while, as regards dairying, the
prospects are that the output OF cheese
has come pretty well up To the demands
OF the consumer and that any great iu-
crease OF IL will result In prices too small
TO remunerste the dAirymsn for his
trouble. The butter export trade, how
ever, should show some expansion, but
the increase of ereameries all over the
Dominion and the consequent greater
butter production will probably be an
effectusl bar 10 very satisfactory prices
The prospects for beef, on the other
hand. are excellent.
First and foremost come the world
re nowned Shorthorns, fsmilsrly known
as the red, white and rosns. As beef
cattle they are surpassed by none, while
their records st the pail are also good
enough to place them at the head of the
list Of genersl-porpose cows. In Great
Britain many dsiries keep only Short
horn cattle, some OF the cows being
great milk producers. In Canada the
tendency has been TO breed Shorthorns
production; but, nevertheless, we have
some good mixers among the thorough
breds, while grade Shorthorns are To be
found all over the country that can till =
pail aud raise a good calf as well. When
an suimal possessing Shorthorn blood
can do this aud also keep in fair condi-
ton, feeding up quickly when IL has TO
be sent 10 the butcher, the breed 10
which such an animal belongs Is certain
~ n useful one TO keep. IL IL loss OF
time 10 try to put flesh on dairy cattle
that have been rsared especially for
dairy purposes, and not oaly a wsste of
time but OF good food as well. short
horns have proved OF untold value 10
improving the beef cattle Of this country,
and will probably always be- the largest
factor In so doing. IL is safe 10 say that
out Of every one hundred cattle market
ed for beef uinety-nine st least are OF
more or less Seorthorn blood, convinc-
iug argument as TO the fitness OF the
breed for moulding the cattle OF the
country into beef type.
Next 20 Shorthorns come Herefords.
The white faces have well-earned
reputation as grszers. They put on flesh
rapidly on grass, and their beef Is OF a
high order OF merit. A cross between
the Shorthorn and the Hereford general
Iy results in sn animal that will do well,
obtaining, as il does, from the Shorthorn
some hat larger size aud improved con-
formation, and from the Herefords the
ability TO do we'll Its stsll-feeding
qualities will also be better. The Here
ford COW will a. q rule not be a large
milk producer, but raises her calf In
good shape"