Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/138

 130 CATTLE ing the cattle is by the lasso or the bolas, and when thus caught the wildest are soon reduced to submission. Those which are retained for dairy and other domestic purposes are kept in Long-Horned Brazilian Ox. staked enclosures, capable of holding thousands of head, and called estancias. The lactiferous qualities of the cows of this breed are far be- low those of European and American domesti- cated cattle, but the milk is exceedingly rich, and particularly adapted to cheese making. Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, and the Argen- tine Republic are the great cattle-raising coun- tries of South America. In Ecuador, Chili, Peru, and Bolivia the cattle are domesticated. For many years cattle raising was almost the only pursuit of Culitbrnians, and it is still the calling of a large number of the people. In California, and also in Texas, the cattle of 20 or 50 owners roam over the pastures of all, every animal bearing on the left hip the brand, or " iron r as it is termed, of its owner ; and the keepers or herders of these cattle are as expert as the South Americans with the las- so. (See BOLAS, and LASSO.) The Portuguese took cattle to Newfoundland about 1553, but no trace of them now exists. Norman cattle were brought to Canada about 1600. In 1611 Sir Thomas Gates brought from Devonshire and Hertfordshire 100 head to Jamestown. In 1624 Francis Winslow brought three heifers and a bull to Massachusetts. At this period no fixed breeds, as such, were known in Eng- land. In the United States there is now a class of native cattle, arising from a mixture of va- rious breeds imported by the early settlers, who, for the want of barns, and from habits establish- ed in a milder climate, allowed their cattle to suffer severely; many perished, the survivors degenerating in size and quality. As agricul- ture advanced and settlers became more pros- perous, the cattle were improved ; and there are to be found in different districts native cat- tle varying with the richness of soil, salubrity of climate, and care of breeders. The English breeds, gaining celebrity, attracted the atten- tion of enterprising breeders here, who com- menced importing the Durhams, Devons, Ayr- shires, Hereford?, and Alderneys, with a few Galloways and some long-horns, and occasion- ally a few Scotch cattle. These cattle, import- ed at great cost, and not inured to our climate and rough treatment, prospered only in the best situations, and for a long period attracted little attention from ordinary farmers. At pres- ent there are many places where the pure breeds are propagated, each having its advo- cates; while farmers who make money from milk, butter, and cheese, stoutly maintain the value of native cattle and their crosses with the best breeds. There are, however, few neigh- borhoods where traces of imported blood may not be found; indeed, the high prices for cattle and their products which have prevailed since 1850 have done much to stimulate breeders to improvement. The short-horn or Durham is becoming the favorite breed in the West. The model of this breed forms a solid rectangle, or parallelepiped, when the head and legs are re- Short-Horn Durham Bull. moved, leaving no unfilled space and much solid meat with little offal. Of this breed " Al- len's American Short-Horn Herd Book " says : u They are, as a race, good milkers, remarkable in the richness of its quality, and the quantity is frequently surprising. For beef, they are unrivalled. Their capacity to accumulate flesh is enormous, and they feed with a kindliness and thrift never witnessed in our native breeds. In milk, instances have been frequent in which they have given 24 to 36 quarts a day, on grass pasture only, for weeks together; yielding 10 to 15 Ibs. of butter per week. Cows have slaughtered 1,200 to 1,500 Ibs. neat weight, with extraordinary proof; and bullocks upward of 2,500 Ibs." The short-horn crosses with na- tive stock are much prized, forming good milk- ers, easy keepers, and profitable animals for beef, and in the hands of ordinary farmers prove better than the pure breed of short-horns. About 1835 some Ayrshires were imported, and this breed has ever since borne in the United States a high character for milk, yoke, and