The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-02-25
Tho Galloway Breed.

Tn0 GALLOWAY Breeus
Since time immemorial-long before
there is any record of cattle lifting"
or "blackmailing" in the southwest OF
Scotland-there existed In the province
of Galloway, Scotland, a breed OF har-
dy, black polled cattle renowned for
their good qualities as beef producers.
These cattle are indeed co-existent
with the history Of Galloway, which,
in ancient days, was a far greater dis
trict than at present. Galloway of to-
day is confined to the counties Of Kirk
cudbright and Wigton; many centuries
ago the term Galloway was applied to
the western half of that part of North
Britain which lies to the south of the
Firth of Forth; thus Dumfriesshire,
Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Ayr
shire were included in the province, as
well as the two counties which now
bear the name. Throughout this great
district and also in the northern parts
OF Cumberland, just across the Solway
in England, the ancient Galloway
Cot" was originally the sole repre-
sentative of the bovine race. Cattle
raising at that time was an important
Industry of the landowners, as regards
the low-lying portions of their farms,
but prior to the union of Scotland and
England, sheep were more generally
kept than cattle. After the union Gal
Ioways at once became famous and in
great demand for feeding purposes in
England, going in large numbers to
Norfolk and Suffolk, it being recorded
that from 10000 to 10000 three and
fo~ur-year-old cattle were thus sent out
of the Galloway country annually. AS
the Ayrshire COW came gradually into
vogue the Galloway beef cattle were
supplanted in Ayrshire, Renfrewshire
and L~anarkshire, and their numbers
lessened in Dumfriesshire and Wigton-
shire by the spread of dairying
throughout these counties. The breed
today is found in the largest numbers
In the district known as Galloway"
including Wigton and Kirkcudbright,
but is a far better animal than in
years gone by, for attention was given
to the improvement of the cattle after
1850 and has steadily continued. 1t is
claimed for this breed that while other
beef breeds were founded and i'm
proved by the admixture of the blood
of other breeds or varieties of cattle,
it has been kept pure, the improvement
being achieved by the selection and
coupling of the best animals within
the confines of the Galloway breed. To
this fact may be attributed the Won
derful prepotency of the Galloway
when crossed with other cattle, en-
abling it to stamp its features upon its
progeny no matter what the cross may
be and in at least ninety per cent of
the calves perpetuating it's hornless
characteristics. The ancient Galloway
cattle We're rather slow in maturing,
but that failing has been largely
changed and the representative cattle
OF the breed of today mature in short
time and produce an unexcelled quail
ity of beef when fattened off. The Gal
loWay when compared with the Aber-
deen-Angus appears smaller, but
weighs well considering it's size. It
is a big little" breed, so to speak,
and carries its weight near the ground
upon short, strong legs. 1t is wonder
FULLY hardy, for its lung powers are
great and its coat a magnificent robe
OF long, fine, curly black hair, which
has taken the place of the buffalo robe
in the markets of the world. 1t has a
fearless, independent mien, yet is a
docile animal and satisfactory to han
die by reason of its polled character,
Its robust health and good keeping
qualities. Its beef is excellent and al
ways commands a premium in the
market. Galloways won the CHAMPION
ship for carload lots at the Interna-
tional Live Stock Exposition last De-
cember and succeed grandly upon the
plains, while their breeders and
friends claim that the hide of one
good representative is worth as much
as the entire carcass of a scrub or
Texan steer. From what has been
said 1t is evident that the Galloway
will not down in this country. There
Is here a great field for the breed
It's prepotency is wanted; its beef is
wanted; its hides are wanted. II Is
needed for rough countries and culti-
waited fields alike. 1t is needed tn de-
horn grade butchers stock and it can
be<trusted to do this without produce
ing Objectionable "scurs." Lastly the
Galloway COW crossed with the white
Shorthorn bull produces the most IA
nous type of feeding steer known IN
the records of the business. We refer
to the "blue-gray" cross-bred which
usually tops the British markets and
is always looked for at a premium
price by feeders.-Farmers Review.