IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 Jlli 
 
 W Hi 2.2 
 
 1.4 
 
 IM 
 
 1.6 
 
 <^ 
 
 W 
 
 /} 
 
 /y 
 
 '^. 
 
 ^/ <^' 
 
 VI 
 
 ^>, 
 
 om. 
 
 /A 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 €^ 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 '^^ 
 
 j^ "' 
 
 6^ 
 
 ^1> f1> 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques 
 
 1980 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 ^ 
 
 7 Covers damaged/ 
 
 Couverture endommag6e 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 n 
 n 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes gdographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Reli6 avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distortion le long de la marge intdrieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es 
 iors d'une restaurttion apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas 6t6 fiSmdes. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires suppldmentaires: 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaite 
 qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exempiaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage 
 sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 □ Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommag6es 
 
 □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es 
 
 r~7] Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 
 D 
 
 Pages ddcolordes, tachet^es ou piqu^es 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages d^tach^es 
 
 □ Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Quality in^gale de I'imi 
 
 pression 
 
 □ includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du materiel supplementaire 
 
 □ Only edition available/ 
 Seule Edition disponibU 
 
 disponible 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partiellement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fapon d 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 Q 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est film^ au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 
 
 
 
 
 14X 
 
 
 
 
 18X 
 
 
 
 
 22X 
 
 
 
 
 26X 
 
 
 
 
 30X 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 /^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
The copy filmed here hes been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Douglas Library 
 Queen's University 
 
 L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grAce A la 
 gAnirositi de: 
 
 Douglas Library 
 Queen's University 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 Les images suivantes ont M reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettetA de l'exemplaire fiim6, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprimie sont film6s en commenpant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 derniire page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iilustration, soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont fiimds en commen^ant par la 
 premiere page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'iilustration et en terminant par 
 la derniAre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END "), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbols — ^- signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre 
 fiimis d des taux de reduction diffdrents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre 
 reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir 
 de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenent le nombre 
 d images nicessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la m6thode. 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
"1 
 
 T 
 
 . 
 
j^^ :^:-/i^^-^-<Ce^, .>^ T^F^ 
 
 EEPORT 
 
 OP 
 
 WILLIAM BEOWJSr, 
 
 PROFESSOR OF AGETCULTUEE, 
 
 (ONTARIO AOKIt'ULTUUAL COLLEGE, UUGLPhJ 
 
 OH 
 
 THE HERDS AND FLOCF 
 
 ::? 
 
 I 
 
 OF ONTARIO. 
 
 f riutrd til Order o( tb; %t^\mt |!i»'$mMy. 
 
 I 
 
 PRINTED BY HUNTER, ROSE fr CO , 25 WELLINGTON STREET. 
 
 J 
 
 
\ 
 
 
 \..„- 
 
 \ 
 
 
 .4 
 
 V^ 
 
 t 
 
 ■ V, , 
 
 ai 
 
 f^ 
 
 '^- 
 
 ^u 
 
 V--^.- 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 -■tf,-'>- 
 
 ■^^n* 
 
EEPORT 
 
 OK 
 
 THE HERDS AND FLOCKS OF ONTARIO. 
 
 s 
 
 
 .^ 
 
 To the Prrsident and Members of the Council of the Agricultural and Arts Ai^so- 
 ciation of Ontario. 
 
 Gkntlkmf.n', — In July last I had the honour of a conimnnication from Mr, 
 T)rury, asking if I would undertake to act as Live Stock Reporter to y(^ur Asso- 
 ciation. I took the offer as a high complement to our College and an honour to 
 myself, and accordingly agreed to report upon the cattle and sheep shown at the 
 Exhibition lield at Kingston, in Septend)er last. In addition to these, it was sug- 
 gested that I should also undertake a description of the breeds of horses ; but, 
 having doubts of my own exact knowledge — at least such a knowledge as should 
 alone be presented to our Province — I declined their representation meantime, 
 and would rather do better if possible to a smaller area in one year. 
 
 I proceeded to Kingston, and was occupied fuur days in examining, criticising 
 comparing, and in every sense judging the several breeds of cattle and sheep then 
 present. I did so alone, asking nobody's opinion — not even that of the oAvt'ers — 
 and thus what is advanced in these pages is chargeable for or against myself alone. 
 I am prepared for any form of criticism as, occupying the position I do, I am 
 untied to any breed or influence, and can give opinion fearlessly. I took no noto 
 of the decision of the regular judges, and had no communication with them what- 
 soever. I understood my work to be an independent leport upon the character- 
 istics and stan<ling of what I found within your grounds on that occasion. 
 
 Shortly after receipt of this commission, and on taking in the bearings of the 
 whole subject, it occurred to me that much greater interest and value would ac- 
 company my report were it, in si me respects, made applicable to the whole Prov- 
 ince. Your exhibition cannot po.^sibly represent all sections, though possibly all 
 the breeds, and in order therefore to give the work a truly Provincial ring, I ob- 
 tained from Mr. Wade, your secretary, the : • mes and addresses of over one thous- 
 and eight hundred breeders of cattle and sheep — obtained by him, I have no 
 doubt, from the oldest as well as the most recent reliable records. I wished to know 
 as exactly as possible the number of herds and flocks in our Province, when they 
 were established, in what manner they were established, or rather from whom 
 each received its start, thus checking its genuineness as regards purity of source, 
 for many would give a return as possessing so many head of, say, Cotswold Sheej) 
 and Shorthorn Cattle without reference to pure breeding ; indeed, not a few of 
 those received by me have not given this required n^ference, and consequently 
 cannot get a place in this report. Still further to obtain the greatest possible 
 exactness on the important point of breeders of pure breeds of cattle, I roqtnred 
 the registered name and number of the bull in use with each of the herds ; the 
 same could not so well apply to sheep, but the breeder of the stock ram then in 
 use for the flock, having been received, should help us to check purity. 
 
 In this manner I think we have obtained material of a valuable character 
 such as, if properly handled, should stand of some national reference in future, 
 
 • t. 
 
 ^Jki 
 
when, let us say, the political economist of the year 1900 will compare and build 
 upon past history. 1 cannot take the blame for any omissions, and I have no 
 doubt some exist 
 
 I shall handle the whole subject under the following heads : 
 
 A. — The Herds of ^Ontario. 
 
 I. — Breeds : 
 
 * 1. Their localities and numbers. 
 
 2. Their origin and present standing. 
 
 II. — The chaiactcristics of Broods. 
 
 B.— The Flocks of Ontario. 
 
 I. — Breeds : localities, numbers, origin and present standing. 
 II. — The characteristics of Breeds. 
 III. — Herds and Flocks unrepresented at Kingston. 
 
 C. — Present Position of Ontario, in regard to thoroughbred Cattle and Sheep. 
 
 A. — The IIkrds of Ontario. 
 
 A Herd, by the practice of most Agricultural Societies, consists of one male 
 and five females. My first ploa.sant duty is to congratulate the Province on the 
 average number of animals in her herds ; there are as many as SoO herds of pure 
 bred cattle of all classes in all hei area, and the average number in each herd is 
 lOJ cows or cow kind, and exactly three bulls. The first idea here may be a 
 disappointing one as regards the number of herds — only 350 in such a Province as 
 Ontario, with all her age comparatively, her wealth and enterprise. True, we 
 say, and very creditable also, because other countries — according to age and 
 wealth — cannot equal such an exhibit. England, with all her age and gold, is said 
 to possess but 500 breeders of thoroughbred cattle, but no doubt the average 
 number per herd there must be much larger than here. I am prepared to show 
 that were all our farmers up to time in the live stock interest and took advantage 
 of the sources of purity at their own doors, thei-e is material enough to make On- 
 tario what she is not at present — a grower of tiesh as much as she ought to be, ax 
 well as a grower of grain. The very fact of numbers per herd is evidence of cen- 
 tralization, of non-distribution, and of grain-growing more than beef, I copsider 
 ten pure-bred females a very large average over seven different breeds of cattle ; 
 it means that some have fifty and more, and in this item I do not take advantage 
 of the unusual Bow Park circumstance. Our breeders, therefore, are evidently 
 such in profeanon, more than possessing, only one bull and one cow to keep up, 
 their own thorougli-breds solely for their own use. In one sense they are ahead of 
 their day: they are practically waiting until their neighbours feel their places 
 their duty, as well as their self-interest. Ontario, then, has no cause to blush for 
 meagre herds or in numbers per herd. 
 
/. — Breeds of Cattle in Ontario. 
 
 Tt would bo an interostinf* enquiry to make out what led to the clioiceof par- 
 ticular breed;^ of cattle on the part of certain indivifluals in our Province. In all 
 countries cattle have preceded horses in helping man to make a living, to reclaim 
 land and to cultivate. Ontario was no exception in this, and is now as much so as 
 ever. Shall we say, then, that Englishmen as such, not Scotchmen or Irishmen 
 so much, broiight with them the old knowledge of Devon cattle as superior work- 
 ers and acted upon such facts? It is true that Devon history g< s far back in 
 Ontario breeding, both as direct importations and as parchases from the United 
 States : the want of oxen in clearing the forest had to be largely sujtplied from 
 our neighbours who, fifty years ago, wore older than we are now. 
 
 Possibly the second idea on the part of our pioneers was a household want — 
 the necessity for nulk in all its value — and thus, in addition to labour, the parti- 
 cular breed would ba chosen for this purpose. Why not the Devon here also ? 
 Then, again, the great lumbering interest would call for working cattle, a market 
 which tlie settler would attend to through a particular breed, and the Devon more 
 than any other would get a preference. • 
 
 But, in addition to these intluences, it is clear that choice of breed ha.s been 
 very nmch a matter " bred in the hone." Why is it that Jardines from Ayrshire, 
 Scotland, are breeders of Ayrshire cattle ; that McC-raes from Galloway, Scotland, 
 arc eminent here as breeders of the soufh of Scotland Polls of that name ; that the 
 Rudds from the south of England still lead the Province in Devon breeding ; that 
 the Stones from Gloucester, England, still bow to no one in value of Shorthorn and 
 Hereford cattle ; and to he more modern, why is it, as a nde that Scotchmen won't 
 look at Jerseys, nor Englishmen at Aberdeen Polls? Naturally, then, men follow 
 very much as th(\y are taught, according to what they, know — not always even 
 according to self-interest. 
 
 Practically, however, since the year 1876, men have imported and bred to meet 
 the growing demand for four things : (1) Cattle to fatten in Ontario conditions — 
 stall feeding; (2) Cows to make the Dairy in Ontario; (S) Cows to suit wealthy 
 private families and creameries ; ami (4) Cattle to fill the American and Canadian 
 demand for extensive ranch grazing. Thus, then, we find the following classification: 
 
 • 
 
 1. — Ontario Stall feeding S):orthorn8. 
 
 2. — Ontario Dairy Ayrshire and Shorthorn, , 
 
 8. — Ontario Creameries and families of wealth. . Jenseys. 
 
 4 — American and Canadian Ranch Grazing Hereford, Aberdeen Poll, 
 
 and Galloway. 
 
 1. The Localities and Numbers of Pure-Bred Cattle in Ontario, 
 
 No truer guide to the enterprise of a country can be used than exiating 
 evidence of what in any profession is the acknowledged line of wealth. In thi.s, 
 legitimate speculation is necessarily a part, as it is always a part of vigorous enter- 
 prise ; but irrespective of any such motive, and keeping to the stciidy tenor of 
 agricultural progress, it should be to every Canadian a most interesting subject to 
 study the existing centres of breeds of live stock, what have regulated euch local- 
 ization and what retards the spread of the circles. 
 
 As a help to such a .sketch, I beg to submit a skeleton map of the Province, 
 showing counties, cities, towns and principal villages, and well-known parts, 
 whereon I have outlined four breeds of cattle according to what is statisticallj 
 known as " great centres," — that is, the coming and going of an enclosing ring &b 
 
6 
 
 regulated l)y nuniliers from a given centre, tliat centre being also estjibli.she<l by a 
 given average obtained from the actual tigurcs sent to the compiler. This i.s now 
 my .subject with cattle. 
 
 The Shorthorns — I wish people would go back to the fine old name, Durham 
 — in Ontario are nine-tenth.s of all the jmre-bred bulls, and six-sevt'nths of all the 
 pure-bred cows; their great centre is a point near Elora, in the County of Wel- 
 lington, from which the radiation is comparatively regular — very unifoiin indeed 
 when c'ouii>ared with the isolation of other breeds of cattle. Starting from 
 Hamilton as the nearest point on the southern boinularv of the Shorthorns, the 
 lake shore is followed eastwards to WhitKy in the County of Ontario ; from that 
 the line takes a north-easterly direction'through Ontario eountyand eml>nieing the 
 niost of it, striking Victoria county at \\'oo(lvilIe, running along the boundary 
 line between the.se counties, partly into the Township of Mara, thence to Orillia 
 and Tay into the village of Stayner. This is the only part of the Georgian Bay 
 touched liy our Shoi'thoi-n circle, as from Stayner it strikes westwards, bending 
 sliglitly .southwards through the counties of (Jrey and liruec to Southampton ; from 
 Southamptiiii the .shore of Lake Huron is followed all the way to Landtton ; thenco 
 between MiddU'scx and Lamliton to the .shore of Lake Krie ; fmni this latter 
 ])oint an almost straight line is maintained eastwards ihiough the counties of 
 Elgin, 0<f()i'd, }]rant and Wentwoiih to Hamilton. 
 
 This is the present warm ground of the Shorthorn — all outside this boundary 
 is weak in the .same thing; not that there are not .seveial heids, and good ones, 
 but nuiidiers are .so few as to be unable to diaw the line aside tVom the stronger 
 average of others. "J'ake an example or two : The counties of Essex, Kent and 
 Lambton are outside of this circle, because Kent is particularly a non-Shorthoni 
 section, as it is, by-the-way, in any othei- class of cattle ; but Landtton and Essex 
 stand fairly well on the average, and would be entitled to rejtnsentation were 
 Middlesi'X not .so strong. Middlesex is so strong that but a slight divergence of 
 the boundary is allowed into Lambton, and Essex is, by its jtosition, cut oli" by 
 Kent. TiKMi, again, take a southern example of weakness in Shovthurns, as lepre- 
 sented by the counties of Welland, Simcoe, jiart Wentworth, Haldimand, part 
 Brapt, ^<orfolk, part Oxford .ind part Elgin. Meither Elgin, Lincoln, Norfolk, 
 nor Welland aie up to the average— are very weak, indeed — and thus |)ull dcjwn 
 the Ktauding of all that district of country, which, but for Brant, Wentworth and 
 Oxford, would be still more con,s])icuous in its isolation, In this i must except 
 Haldimand to .some extent, for it, of itself, stands well. 
 
 ]n this manner nuieh more could be said of Shorthorn centralization, l)ut the 
 map will guide tlie enipiirer better than any elaborate description. Ls it not a .sad 
 blot on our escutcheon that the greatest beefing cattle of the world are practically 
 unrej)re.sented -east of the County Ontario ? iV'o fewer than fifteen of the.se counties 
 cannot ask lor even a j)assing notice, but a good deal could be .saidof Durham, North- 
 umberland and Victoria, as taken together they would equal York county iu this 
 regard, thouyh not sufhcientl}^ stiong to draw the line east of Ontario. 
 
 The great central district of Shorthorns is Wellington, second is Brant, \diich 
 may thank the Bow Bark Herd, third is Middlesex, fourth Waterloo, fifth Ontario, 
 sixth Perth, seventh York, eight Oxford, ninth Bothwell, tenth Simcoe, eleventh 
 Huron, and Bruce 12th in order of merit by numbers. 
 
 Another point demanding notice in such a public report as this, is the relative 
 influence, apparently, of certain herds upon the cattle of the neighbourhood. One 
 or two marked examples only : How is it that no fewer than five counties imme- 
 diatedly south of the finest herd of Shorthoins on the American Continent are 
 practically non -patron izers of the breed ? It must be want of interest in the 
 special line, because, taking it for gi-anted that Bow Park prices aie on an average 
 
 tl 
 
 o| 
 
 i' 
 
blislied by a 
 Tills i.s now 
 
 me, Durham 
 
 hs of all the 
 iiity of Wel- 
 ifuini iinleej 
 ait in-,' from 
 )rtli()rn.s, the 
 ; from tliat 
 iil»racin<j[ the 
 10 bouii«hiiy 
 '6 to Orillia 
 L'ov^Mjm Bay 
 (Is, l)t'ii(ling 
 iiptoii ; from 
 tt>n ; tlienco 
 til is latter 
 counties of 
 
 is boundary 
 1 <:ou(l ones, 
 ;lie stroiitjer 
 :, Kent and 
 i-Siiorthoni 
 I and Essex 
 hition were 
 vei^jence of 
 cut oft" by 
 s, as rej Ire- 
 land, ]'art 
 , Norfolk, 
 nil down 
 vorth and 
 ust except 
 
 >n, V)ut the 
 not a sad 
 )iaetica]ly 
 counties 
 mi, Novth- 
 ity in this 
 
 ,nt, w4iich 
 
 1 Ontario, 
 
 eleventh 
 
 .' relative 
 lod. One 
 ies innue- 
 ^inent are 
 st in the 
 1 average 
 
 too much for the average farni'T, the other sources — and cheaper — are not too far 
 otf fur them ; neither can it be explained for want of time, as Nir. William Dougl is, 
 of Caledonia, began as a breeder of Shorthorns in iM.j.'). If the county of Vork 
 bo taken as a centre for disLiibution and iiilbience, what is the matter with Peel ? 
 Low-lying, heavy land is just as suitable for Shorthorns as any other bretd, umler 
 proper management, and grain growing is very intimately aasoeiatud with their 
 iiistory in all countries. 
 
 In order of numbers we notice next the Ayrshircs. There are two prominent 
 districts of these in Ontario. That having York (Jounty as a centre, and (unliracing 
 part of Ontario, Simcoe, Peel, Halton, and Wentworth ; and the second including 
 parts of Frontenae, Lanark, tJarleton, UusseH, and Prescott, This division into 
 two centres is regulated by Wentworth and Ontario Counties on the one hand, and 
 by Lanark and Carleton (jn the other. Outside of either of these rings, no other 
 county can talk Ayrshire excepting to some extent Oxford and Northumberland, 
 but certainly no where else, ami this is somewhat remarkable for the western 
 part of the I'lovince where (hiirying is so prominent. One hundred bulls and 
 three hundred cows limit this breed all over. 
 
 The Herefords are represented in eight counties, and, we may safely say no- 
 where else. Wellington holds onedialf of the whole, Cornwall is second, Simcoe 
 third, Mu.skoka next, then Middlesex, Victoria, Ontario, and Brant in order of 
 numbers. Seventy bulls and two hundred cows in all. 
 
 The Devtm is limited to six counties, and about twenty bulls and forty cows. 
 The counties of Simcoe, Ontario and Wellington, with a touch in York, Grey, and 
 Elgin. 
 
 The Aberdeen Polls, by a recent fever, are somewhat ahead of the Galloways 
 in number. They are to be found in Middlesex, Wellington, and Victoria. 
 
 The Galloways, so far as 1 can ascertain, are yet confined to Wellington — 
 having an advocate there of undaunteil pluck, and who is now recaiving a corres- 
 ponding reward. 
 
 The Jerseys are scattering, and are found in the counties of Wentworth, 
 Lincoln, Peel, Wellington, with a few in Hastings and Halton. 
 
 2. The Origin and Present Standing of Cattle in Ontario. 
 
 In a duty of this kind, it is one of the ditftcultios to trace most things to their 
 beginnings, and as it is best to sul mit to no speculations, but hold to actual 
 facts, I shall simply record what lias been sent me from various breeders. 
 
 The five oldest herds of Shorthorns in Ontario are : 
 
 F. W. Stone, Wellington County 1853 
 
 John Snell it Sons, Peel County 1854 
 
 James J. Wright, Wellington ( 'ounty 1854 
 
 James Cowan, Waterloo (Jounty 1855 
 
 Wm. Douglas, Brant County 1855 
 
 Just thirty years ago, when even the present older towMishios were seventy 
 per cent, bush, roads of a very scratchy character, lake navigation somewhat 
 primitive, and any trade with the United States of a corresponding irregularity, 
 the idea of importing valuable cattle from England could have been heM only by 
 the more bold and enterprising — such as F. W. Stone, of Guelph. His imagina- 
 tion must have seen Oivtirio of 1882, in order to back up his jiresent herds. I 
 have no authority from him, nor any other, for saying that at the lowest compu- 
 tation his Shorthorn and Herefoi'd interest cannot be less than $100,000. He be- 
 gan importing Shorthorns in 1S53, and Herefords in 18G0. I cannot leave this 
 
brief notice of one of our oMost herds, witliout tlio remark tliivt during,' all tha 
 years from IHdO to IMT'), Mr. Stone was actually liiuf^'lKMl at \>y very miiny be- 
 cause of his mailness in having aiiytliiii^f to do witli Htnefords : Wiio laughs now ? 
 
 The Messrs. Snell l)e<,'an with purchases from Thos. lUanchard, ot" Malton, 
 and Ral])l» Wade, of Port Ifojie, and while pviii},' more attention now than for- 
 merly, to sheep antl swine, they still hold .icveral {,'iiod cows and the newly imported 
 bull, " Wateiloo Warder" [(ilXI rej^. 7 vol.], as breil by Lord I'olworth, Scotland. 
 
 Mr. Wii).5ht established his herd from tliat of 11. Parsons, oCduelph, aiid has 
 now in use "Senator ' [7h:}71 — bred at the Ontario Experimental Farm. 
 
 The ( ■lochmhor herd of James (yowan and Sons, has an interestinj,' his- 
 tory. Their first purchase was Red Rose lOth irom Stephens and Sherwood, New 
 York, giviuL,' S^ICO for what had cost $()()() when a suckiti;,' calf— a rare fi;,'uro in 
 those days. Mr. Cownn sold three of her <illsprin<^' to J. L. Hairison, of New 
 York, for .^1000, who in turn disposed of them to an En^^dish purchaser forSG,()00, 
 and afterwanls exp(M"ted anotlier for $.S()(). He even declined the handsome sum 
 of !j.>,500 for a cow and calf of the same blood. Mr. Cowan also added to his herd 
 from those of Mr. Win,L,'Keld, CJuelph, and the Hon. W. A. Ferj^uson. In 18GI an 
 important addition was made, by joint ownershij) with the Hon. I). Christie, by 
 the purchase of " Oxford f^ad " i'>7f>J, ')()•")(), from J. O. Shelden, New Voik, at a 
 cost of Si, 000, which gave the herd a hiifli standiuiif ft)r synnnetry und constitu- 
 tion. Thus invii;oiate(l, tin; Clochmhor herd has had Hates bluotl in all subsei^uent 
 use. Its pHisent lord is the 0th Karl (d" Antrim, .'{iS07+, and last year there was 
 added .some thirteen head of females fioni the extensive herd of F. W. Stone, Wel- 
 lington, consisting among other families, uf Sanspareil and Poll^anthus. 
 
 Mr. Wm. Douglas, lirant County, made a beginning from tli(i Hon. A. Fergu- 
 son, in 18.5.'>, and subse([uently made use of Itulls from the Hon. M. H. Cochrane, 
 Quebec. His present stock bull i.s Earl of Goodness ijth, 3251!), from the Row 
 Park herd. 
 
 Halton County as represontetl by Mr. R. B. Ireland's herd, goes back to 1855, 
 also where " Mazurka Duke" [r)703], 1052.'}, is now in u.se. 
 
 Ontario County dates back to I8J7, when Mr. J. S. Thompson imported from 
 Mr. Douglas (Athelstone ?), Scotland. His [nvsent bull Scarlet Velvet [78;b'J]. 
 
 Mr. .lonathan L)avis, Wentworth, is still a breeder of Shorthojns on a small 
 scale, having begun in iS5cS. 
 
 Lincoln County has a tl^w (d'l herds, among which is that of Mr. Wm. Ash, St. 
 Catharines, starting in 1858, and fi'om the herd of Mr. John Laker, Macedon, New 
 York. The present bull of this herd is " Model Hero," [7481], bi n\ at the Ontario 
 Experimental Farnt. 
 
 These, going back in our history a ipiarter of a century, may be taken as our 
 older types or herds now rarely competing at our larger exhibitions, and but one 
 of them — that of the Messrs. Snell — showing at Kingston. 
 
 It will be well now to take up the .systematic notice of those herds that were- 
 represented at your Kingston Exhibition this year, and in doing this we shall fol- 
 low the counties according to their standiiig by numbers of thoroughl)red cattle. 
 
 Wellington. — F. W. Stone, has a Shorthorn herd of about 12() head, Ijut none 
 were shown. He has also a herd of 130 Herefords, of which eighteeix hea<l were 
 on the ground. Thi.s representation of one of the oldest and largest Hereford 
 herds on the Continent was headed by the aged, but grandly even bull Regent 
 (5532), got by Governor 4th, an importation irom England. Regent is remark- 
 able for length of hind quarters, great substance and a general evenness, — no 
 coarseness anywhere. Were we very critical, a somewhat Hat rib would form but 
 a very small item in such a fine tield — not overfed eithei-. A young bull, Victor 
 6th (G24G) — out of Vesta 9th, by Duke of Manchester — is not equal in the crop* 
 
 tol 
 I thi 
 o\1 
 lo: 
 
 col 
 I ofl 
 
 l^ll 
 
 ilel 
 lo(| 
 
iliirin;,' all tho 
 ery iiiiiny l»e- 
 > laui,'Ii,s now f 
 r<\, ot" Malton, 
 low than I'or- 
 iw\y imported 
 I, Scotland, 
 elpli, and has 
 
 Ulll. 
 
 ^cresting his. 
 crvvood, New 
 rare fl<,'uro in 
 isoji, of New- 
 er foriiJU.OOO, 
 vndsonie HUin 
 id to his herd 
 Inl8Ul an 
 ("liiistie, by 
 V Vol k, at a 
 •nd constitu- 
 1 Huli.so(iuent 
 ar there was- 
 . Stone, Wei- 
 
 IS. 
 
 n. A. FercTu- 
 f. (Joclirane, 
 cm the Eow 
 
 ick to 1855, 
 
 ported from 
 t [78;i.'3j. 
 ■5 on a small 
 
 ^m.A.sh.St. 
 
 cedon, New 
 
 le Ontario 
 
 ikon as our 
 nd but one 
 
 5 that were 
 e shall fol- 
 ic! cattle. 
 I, but none 
 head were 
 t Hereford 
 nil Regent 
 is reniark- 
 iiness, — no 
 I form but 
 ull, Victor 
 the crop* 
 
 to hifl sire, has a rather efteminate head for a Hereford, but a perfect loin and ftll 
 the fultiess of tlie breed in the hin(h|uarters. Vesta fttli, lierself a live-year-old, 
 out of Vesta 7tli, by CJovernor 4tli, is simply a perfect animal of her class, witl» A 
 Icanincf on tlie small side. What a s])leiidid loin, and depth of frame without 
 coarseness. 
 
 Messis. J. «fc W. Watt exldbited fifteen liead of Shorthorns out of their lierd 
 of fiixty-two. " liarmpton Hero" [(35!).') |, four-year-old, bred by J. Dryden, of 
 lirooklin, from Sittyton blood, weighs 2, •')()() lbs. This bull is but in good fair 
 flcsli, has an Alterdeen skin — Tieither thick nor tliin — a grand, intelligent head; 
 looks rather light in flank, wh.ich is but partly true, for his immense forward 
 depth would retiuire somt^thing unnatural to correspond, there is just a cut of a 
 "Hereford ham ' in this almost faidtless animal. Rosalie, out of Rose 2nd has all 
 the aj)pearance of making a typical mother. " Matchless " of Kinellar 2nd, from 
 Campbell, of Kinellar, Aberdeenshire, is an unusually lieavy cow, with calf at foot 
 — nnlk that would keep twins, and in her build lias just as much a milking typ« 
 an an Ayrshire. 
 
 Messrs. J. &; R. McQueen from a herd of forty-one liead, exhibit " Duke of 
 Athol" [4!)G2], a live-year-old, bred by W.Douglas, of Caledonia; this, by the 
 way, is a descendant of the S4(>,000 cow of New York Mills fame. He is not in 
 liigh llesh — 2,I3r)() pounds — lias great length of frame, fine even loins, rather flat 
 on the shoulder, and narrow at tail, ])ut has great length of rump, and depth of 
 fore-quarters. 
 
 Thos. McCrae liad forty-one head on the ground — thirty-five Galloways 
 and six Aberdeen Poll CO w'.s — all recently imported. Atnong the Galloways is a 
 yearling bull, " Macleod 2nd of Drumlanrig" [553] (l(i70), bred by the Duke of 
 Buecleugh. Here we do not find the rough characteristic licad of the breed, age 
 being allowed for, and the bone is even on the fine side ;* there is a deep chest, 
 grand hair, and just the riglit kind of quality by handling — a mellowness under a 
 thickish skin. The deep flank, graml .shoulder and arm, with full short neck 
 make up an unusually good Galloway bull — marred only by a. slight droop of the 
 liind-cjuarters, that will inijtrove with age. " Beauty 2nd of Troquhain " [53G], 
 (3517), four-year-old, and a Medalist, is not, to my thinking, a typical Galloway, 
 becau^^e too fine all over, though large and strong. Altogether this herd is the 
 best ever shown in Canada— not possessing a single cull. Mr. McCrae's Aberdeen 
 Polls, as a class, are, all over, not so good as his Galloways— good un(|uestionably, 
 but the Galloways are hard to beat. The cow "Ariadne 7th" (4015), bred by 
 James Scott, of Easter Tullocli, Aberdeen, taken as a fair stamp of the herd, baa 
 plenty length, but too liold headed, and wants width according to her length. 
 
 liemloek Young showcil a four-year-old fat heifer, weighing 1,050 jiounds by 
 estimate ; the fine head, and bone with fully two-tliirds " blood " makes her a 
 very fine stamp of the Western Ontario beefer. 
 
 Ontario. — Messrs. T. Guy & Son, whose lierd history dates from 18G5, liad no 
 fewer than twenty-three liead of Ayrshires on exhibition. ''William Wallace" 
 [10 Reg. 2 vol.], as head of the herd, three-year-old, l»red by Jardine, Hamilton, 
 from Mars 1st, a well-known pirizc-taker, is in good form, with no coarseness, 
 much depth all through, and no slab-ril)bing as fi)lliiws many iif the breed; he has 
 the strong I one, however, that characterises. The top cow of the lot may be 
 " Gerta 4th [1181]," a four-j'car-old, one month after calving. Here we have a 
 medium length of face, clean head, very fine neck, beautiful light fore-quarters, 
 grandly sprung ribs, with width behind, and the desirable double udder. 
 
 Waterloo. — Messrs. H. fc J. Grofi'aie breeders of Shorthorns, and fatteners of 
 their grades. In competition now tl.ey had fifteen head of thoroughbreds, sixty 
 grades, and nine fattening animals. These are led by " Baron of Waterloo " 
 
 I 
 
10 
 
 [CG13], l»y"YuuiiL,' Ald-docn" [4512], out, of "Red Rose of Waterloo," coming 
 three year.s ; quality on the fine side, a splendid head of the old Durham stamp, 
 with, however, drooping:; liind-cpiarterH. "Pilot 2nd," an cii,dit months calf, 
 takes his sire's iineness, -with good foiv-quarters, but defuient on rilis. A two- 
 year-old cow, with calf at foot, has an extraorilinary width of hind-(juartefs, and 
 t'> some jii.lgcs, is too fine in skin — a raie fault others Avill say, and may be one 
 of the reasons of the Gi'olf success in eaily maturing when fattening. A three- 
 year-old red cow cannot be met on the ground for length of hiud-(|uarti>rs , a 
 heifer calf out of " Lady (iracefnl 2ud," by '- Knight of Warl.iby '" [ ')")01 J, is a veiy 
 massive five months on milk, and takes groat width behind. 
 
 In beefers the Messrs. Groff ha\e several niagniticent specimens — magnificent 
 is not too strong. Choose iirst a yearling steer, a year-oKl in DectMuber, 1881, 
 weighing 1,450 pounds, from " Knight of Warlaby " [^oOl] of steer-getting fame ; 
 the hair, the gi'and silky mossy coat of hair, so indicative always of (piality— the 
 handling ever^'where — loin included, and the round barri.'l, licking, however, in 
 width behind, all go to bespeak a coming prize taker. Take next a lot of four 
 two-year-old fat steers, averaging 1,000 pountls (.Vpril c.dves) ; note the great 
 girths, the covering of loin and barrel, and yet after all a di.'ficient hind-quarter in 
 two cases, both above and below. Then again examine two three-yearold steers, 
 the second cross of Booth blood — upon grade cows — that aNerage 2,3.'30 pounds. 
 hi hese we naturally look for the weakness, the grandeur being so conspicuous. 
 Shajl we sp(>ak of standing too high liehind, of narrow thighs, of a cow head, and 
 dog hocks ? true in a measure, but yet measurable and makes the great points 
 stronger. 
 
 Vliioria. — Mr. "M. Boyd, Bobcaj'geon, had five Herefonls and nine Aberdeen 
 Polls on exhibition. His Hereford bull " Bonnie Lad 2nd," by " Duke of Man- 
 chester," from the Ontario Experimental Farm, is a very even animal of good 
 quality, and lengthy ; Init wants length in hind quarters, and holds a rather 
 etfeminate head. The three-3'ear-old cow from Mr. Stone's herel has the great 
 length of hind quarters, with corresponding width that belong to the breed; hero 
 also is that " depth without height " which is liked in her kind — a good chunky 
 cow. The two-year-old heifer from the >^ame stock falls off a this k'nl of 
 quarter. 
 
 The Aberdeen Poll exhilnt is headed by " Black Prini-e of Ambleside ;" this 
 bull is in low condition, and disajtpointed those unacquainted with the breed. He 
 is lengthy and takes flank and thigh down well, though ratker high in the tail. 
 " Princess l.)agmar'" is a ftmr-year-old cow, carrying a grand head, has depth of 
 shoulder, length of barrel, plenty of depth also behind, and unusually wide there, 
 with all the quality of a first-cla.-^ Shorthorn. At the same time this cow is defi- 
 cient in ribs and crops, and short in rumps. The four-year-old cow '" Caroline " 
 has strength tending to coarseness, though not coarse actually, an iri'ogular head, 
 length and width of hind quarters ; altogether a fine franu\ spoiled by a curious 
 head. " Dominion Girl " ls a yearling, characterised by a strong tail, fine length 
 of body, and otherwise has the appearance of a future prizi' taker. " Pauline" is 
 a leggy five-year-old, with the fore-quarters of a milker, and plenty of substance 
 behind. "Coquette 10th" (4603), two-year-old, bred by Sir George McPherson 
 Gran^, and recently bought from Mr. Whitfield, Quebec, is of the valuable family 
 of her name from Ballindolloch, Scotland. A heifer of grand quality all over — 
 bone, skin, hair, and covering otherwise, with a Ronian nose touching on coarse- 
 ness, a chunky frame — a big-little beast. 
 
 Mr. Boyd's enterprise deserves special notice. He is evidently exercising a 
 cautious liberality in testing Shorthorns, Herefords, and Aberdeen Polls under 
 precisely equal conditions upon an extensive back-wcods grazing. The result w^ill 
 
 on 
 eri 
 br 
 
 
 foij 
 th| 
 
 goi 
 
 CON 
 
 IjU 
 pk 
 
 in 
 
iloo," coming 
 iirJiam stamp, 
 montJis calf, 
 >il).s. A two- 
 <jnartcis, and 
 1 may be one 
 ig. A throc- 
 l-i|!iartciv , a 
 01 J, is a veiv 
 
 -inaLfiiificent 
 ■iMiiLer, 1881. 
 ettinnr iaine ; 
 «|ua]ity — the 
 I liowever, in 
 I lot of fulll 
 ite the great 
 <l-qnarter in 
 ir-oKl steers, 
 .S.jO pounds, 
 conspicuous. 
 \v head, and 
 2[reat j^oints 
 
 le Aberdeen 
 ike of Man- 
 nal of good 
 lis a rathei- 
 ■s the great 
 ^•eed ; hero 
 >oil chunky 
 lis kin'i oV 
 
 ^iide ; '■ this 
 
 breed. He 
 
 in the tail. 
 
 IS depth of 
 
 M'ide there, 
 
 o\v is deti- 
 
 ■ Caroline " 
 
 ?ular head, 
 
 a cuiious 
 
 Hne letigth 
 
 Undine " is 
 
 substance 
 
 VIcPherson 
 
 ble family 
 
 all over— 
 
 on coarse- 
 
 :ercising a 
 oils under 
 result will 
 
 11 
 
 be interesting and important to us as a Province, and every reliance can be placed 
 on Mr. Boyd's impartial treatment, and a faithful report will no doubt be made 
 ere long as to such an unusual competition between the three greatest beefing 
 breeds of the world. 
 
 Simrui'. — Another, and an older, civilizer of his country with improved stock 
 is C. C. Bridges, of Shanty Bay, who began just ten yeai-s ago with a draft of 
 Herefords from Mr. Stone, of Guelph. His present stock bull is "Corporal" 
 (417o), imported, with a very fine herd of six other bulls and thirty females. This 
 bull has a good depth (jf chest and plenty of thigh, but is wedgy in rumps, and 
 slack crops ; indeed his superior fore-quarters make his other parts appear to be 
 deficient, if not really so. Mr. Bridges shows nine females, among which we notice 
 "Miss Annie," a three-year-old, newly imported, with very fine tore-quarters; 
 forward of the hooks this is a grand cow — superior to Mr. Stone's " V^esta 9th " 
 there, but nc^t nearly so good as his behind. " Mary 3rd " is larger, longer, as 
 good in barrel, but not so even all over as " Mi.ss Annie " — a massive, vigorous 
 cow. 
 
 Yoi'k. — Messrs. G. nud D. Wood have nine Dcvons here. The three-year-old 
 bull "Mar((uis" is a Yery finished Devon of the chunky stamp, with broad loins, 
 plenty depth of thigh, flue bone, and altogether a deep beast ; he lacks, however, 
 in width of thigh, has latluT a strong tail, and too Hat on shotddei' for his kind. 
 " ^larch Rose,' a six-year-old cow, has the light f()re-([uarters of a milker, with 
 plentv ilei)th, broad loins, and leuLrfh of iumi)s, and even better shoulder than the 
 bull.' [ 
 
 Wciilv.'orth. — V. 8. Fuller, of Huniilton. is our latest and most vigorous expo- 
 I nent of the Jerseys; not oidy so, but a fearless, practical exponent, wliieli is more 
 than many eiithusiasts do. His herd was represented by a draft of eleven, from 
 which note two samples ; " Le Breve " (oliO-i), a 2")-months old, newly-imported 
 bull, of the dai-k stamp of these famous creamers. Tliough dark, he is full coloured, 
 which now-a-days gives value ; his very thin condition strains one's Judgment, 
 yet there is no fault to be found with the great length of hind-(|uarters, and plenty 
 depth forward. The cow "Faith"' has a nicely lialanced head, great length of 
 frame, moderate neck ; but with all the surface markings indicating cream — a 
 graml milker evidentlv. 
 
 P. T. Ware, of Hamilton, exhibits one Ayishire bull-calf "Garfield" [133], a 
 dark-coloured, nicely headed aninuil, with the characteristic slab sides and high 
 tail of many of the breed. 
 
 John Fothergill, of Burlington, had " Prince James " [803 reg. 7 vol.], a year- 
 ling Shorthorn bull of the Messrs. Hunter's blood ; good, and improves on acquain- 
 tance. His 1,701) pounds in eighteen months is away above the average in vigour, 
 and if his prepotency be high, this is the kind of bull wanted to make and finish 
 two-year-old steers. 
 
 W. J. Petti t, of Burlington, shows a yearling Shorthorn heifer " Belle 2nd " 
 {901 reg. vol. 7]. from the stock of McQueen, Wellington; a lengthy animal, witk 
 grand back and loins. 
 
 Zof'(/s\ — Mrs. E. M. Jone. , of Brockville, and Jersey cattle fame — well merited, 
 with pluck and good management. From a herd of twenty-five, this lady shows 
 twelve head. " Rival " (370:^, A.I.H. Book) is six years old, a whole cream-coloure<l 
 bull, with a black brush, great depth of barrel, good width, a very fine horn, 
 strongly yellow, with black tips of course, medium length and fineness of tail, 
 which is just somewlmt too high. "Flora of St. Peter's" and " Maggie Bradley " 
 are cows of rare merit. 
 
 James McNeish and Son, of Lyn, exhibit six head of Ayrshires. The bull, 
 "Duke of Ardgowan " is a particularly chuid<y, deep, well-balanced two-year-old, 
 
 1 
 
12 
 
 
 •with lengthy hind -quarters, an unusually handsome neck, long face, and carries 
 the hind leg of a horse in style. Much of the energy in the management of this 
 herd is due to C. H. McNeish, one of the sons, a student of the Ontario ATricul- 
 tural College, who, in addition to cattle, is well up in Berkshires. 
 
 Joseph Haig, Gananoque, shows one Shorthorn bull, " Duke of Glenallan " 
 [1382 Reg.], a yearling of good quality, has plenty length ; a growing animal, not 
 in much flesh, and stands better behind than before. 
 
 Orenville. — W. T. Benson, of Cardinal, has seventeen he.ad of Herefords from 
 a herd of thirty-five, and a sample of his Shorthorn herd in " Grenville Duchess 
 3rd," by " Prince Albert " 2833G, a two-year-old heifer, with a grand frame, spoiled 
 by head and horn. Among the Herefords are : "Bloomer 2nd," four-year-old, very- 
 good forward of hocks, with tine length and depth of fore-quarters, and a thoroughly 
 characteristic Hereford head. On the plan of finding fault with everything if 
 possible, we would like to see more width behind. " Rambler 6th " (GG30), out of 
 "Rosebud 5th," by "Chieftain" (4427), has a good head and fore-quarters, with j 
 depth, without filling of hind-quaiters. There is a pair of extra good three-year- 1 
 old cows — one particularly nice. A marked feature of Mr. Benson's Herefords is j 
 their grand Hereford heads — one of our best indications of character in these j 
 days. For example there is nothing on exhibition equal to the head of " Ajax," a i 
 yearling bull ; this animal was sii'ed by G7<S1. The show cow of the herd is, per- | 
 haps, " Miss Grevc -l-th," now eight years old — out of " Miss Greve," by " Renown " | 
 (2719). Look tit the head here also, the fore-quarters of a milker, plenty length, J 
 good quality, with dog hocks how ever, and a slight droop of hind-quarters. | 
 
 Northumberland. — W. Courtice, of Darlington, took to Devons by importing 
 in 1857. He has nine head on exhibition. " Plumb," as a six-year old cow, is an 
 usually large Devon, with long hind-quarters, well tilled in rumps, great length, 
 with a somewhat steery head and horn, but yet a fine head ; the covering of the 
 loin and handling are excellent, but we don't want her high tail, and don't expect 
 the breed to be better in depth behind, which this one also lacks. " John A," a 
 bull, two years old, out of " Plumb," by " Jack's Alive," is from the stock of G. 
 Rudd, Guelph. 
 
 Frontinac. — David Nicol, of Cataraqui, is a breeder of Ayrshire cattle, South 
 Down sheep, Berkshire swine, and several kinds of poultry. From a herd of 
 twenty-four, he shows twelve. The first thing that strikes the eye in this repre- 
 sentative selection is no attempt at efi'ect, and no pampering for exhibition — every- 
 thing put up naturally — a practice much desired in these days of keen competi- 
 tion. The bull " Stonewall " is a dark red, with a vigorous look, fine head, and 
 without being high fed is somewhat lanky. A great Ayrshire cow all over is 
 " Moss," seven years old, out of " Efiie Dean," by " Parker," by " Highland Chief," 
 and tracing back to " Rob Roy " and " Sir Samuel " of Scotch milking fame ; she 
 is also thin from grass, and would please believers in escutcheon — which is very 
 broad and full. 
 
 Allan Bond, of Inverar}-, exhibits in Shorthorns " Lord Duff'erin " [8841] and 
 "Rose Dale," the latter a pure white, and of very fine (juality, with compactness. 
 Bastinys. — H. B. Rathbun and Son, of Deseronto, are breeders of Shorthorns 
 and Jerseys, and showed one and three of each respectively. The Shorthorn bull 
 " Master Hill " [8474] is a chunky, well balanced two-year-old. In Jerseys, 
 " Pnnce of Wales .5th " and " Daisy " are exhibited, the latter is particularly nice 
 — perhaps unusually deep for her kind, with a delightful tail and brush. 
 
 Prince Edivard County. — Benjamin Storej^of Picton, shows throe Ayrshires,. 
 " Sir Walter 2nd," from the Ontario Experimental Farm stock, of the stronger 
 Btamp of the breed, as liked by many ; " Beauty of Wellington " is also from th& 
 same place ; the bull-calf " Picton " is a very deep and broad animal of its age. 
 
18 
 
 Je, and carries 
 feuient of this 
 tario Aorricul- 
 
 I 
 >f Glenallan " | 
 g animal, not I 
 
 erefords from 
 ville Duchess 
 frame, spoiled 
 rear-old,very 
 a tlioroughlj 
 everything if 
 ;GG30), out of 
 uarters, with 
 d three-year- 
 Herefords is 
 ictcr in these 
 of " Ajax," a 
 herd is, per- 
 '• " Renown " 
 enty length, J 
 irters. I 
 
 )y importing i 
 Id cow, is an 
 ^reat length, 
 ering of the 
 don't expect 
 ■ John A," a 
 stock of G» 
 
 ;nttle, South 
 a herd of 
 1 this repre- 
 iou — every- 
 m competi- 
 ! head, and 
 all over is 
 and Chief," 
 : fame : she 
 
 ich 
 
 IS 
 
 vei-y 
 
 [8841] and 
 mp.'ictness. 
 Shorthorns 
 rthorn bull 
 n Jerseys, 
 ularly nice 
 1. 
 
 Ayrshire?, 
 le stronger 
 3 from the 
 : its age. 
 
 The Ontario Experimkntal Farm Exhibit.— Tl would be better that thia 
 was criticised by another, and I shall only, therefore, submit the card that accom- 
 panied the animals ; — 
 
 Four Steers, as Specimens for Exportation, not in competition. 
 
 Breed — Grade Shorthorns, two-thirds bred. 
 
 Age — Averas^e, 020 days — 2\ years. 
 
 Weight — " Chancellor," l.OsOlbs; '^Champion," l,5301bs; "Commander," 
 l,G051bs ; "Conqueror," l.oOolbs ; average, l,G()2lbs. 
 
 Increase — r731bs per head per day since birth. 
 
 Food — Daily for 324 days : Corn, [>eas, oats, in equal parts, lOlbs ; mangolds, 
 turnips, for six month.s, 35lbs ; green fodder, for four months, 7'3lbs ; oil cake, for 
 three months, 41 bs ; Bran, 2lbs ; Thorley's food, ^Ibs. 
 
 Cost of Proiluction — Per head, SI33. 
 
 Manure Value — Per head, for last twelve months, ^oo. 
 
 Present Value — Per head, S121. 
 
 Profit Realised— Per head, $i3. 
 
 p Shorthorn Heifer, five years old on I7th September, 1882. 
 
 Weight, l,l)051bs ; increased ?i'olbs per day during last seven months. 
 Experimental Feeding — Corn gave daily increase per head, 1*9 libs ; peas, 
 l-831bs; oats, iGOlbs. 
 
 Twelve Fat Wethers, as Specimens for Exportation, not in Compatition. 
 
 Breeds — ^irst crosses of Leicester, Oxford Down, Shropshire Down, South 
 Down, and Merino rams Avith Canadian ewes. 
 
 Age — Shearling."!, 18 months. 
 
 Weights — Per head, average : pure bred Leicesters, 2G5lbs ; Leicester Grades, 
 220lbs; Oxfurd Down Grades, 2 1 Gibs ; Shrop.shire Down Grades, 210lbs; South 
 Down Grades, iSOlbs ; Merino Grades, loOlbs. 
 
 Food — Peas^ oats, bran, hay, green fodder, and oil cake. 
 
 Wool — Washed, per head : Cotswold Grade, 91bs, 22 cts ; Leicester Grade, Slbs, 
 22 cts. ; Oxford Down Grade, 9lbs, 28 cts. ; Shropshire Down Grade, Slbs, 35 cts. ; 
 South Down Grade, Tibs, 35 cts. ; Merino Grade, Gibs, 35 cts. 
 
 Balance Sheet.— Manure not Credited. 
 
 Leicester Grade 
 
 Shropshire Dowu Grade 
 Oxford Down Grade. . . , 
 South Down Grade. . . . 
 Merino Grade 
 
 Carcass. 
 
 Wool. 
 
 Cost. 
 
 •$c. 
 
 c. 
 
 $c. 
 
 11 00 
 
 1 70 
 
 8 10 
 
 12 CO 
 
 2 80 
 
 7 00 
 
 12 60 
 
 2 52 
 
 7 40 
 
 11 70 
 
 2 45 
 
 6 00 
 
 7 50 
 
 2 10 
 
 5 50 
 
 Balance, 
 
 $ c. 
 4 G6 
 8 40 
 
 7 72 
 
 8 1.5 
 4 10 
 
u 
 
 Quebec Province. — An unusual feature of your exhibition was a display of 
 fifty animals of five breeds of cattle from the yards of Geo, Whitfield, of Rouge- 
 mont. Quebec possesses, in private enterprise, as much as Ontario does publicly, 
 an Experimental Fann of rare variety in live stock. It appears to be Mr. Whit- 
 field's desire to thoroughly test the conduct of beefing breeds under Canadian 
 conditions, and for this end is unsparing in means and measures. 
 
 First, in regard to his draft of Aberdeen Polls, and this for a very good rea- 
 son, as, without doubt, it is headed by a stamp of bull rarely seen on this conti- 
 nent. What strikes on the first glance of " Judge " (1150); is his fjreat length ; 
 there is no coarseness anywhere, and though u side view gives a bold head, a 
 diagonal one tells of a mild countenance ; then there is a grandly filled neck vein, 
 yet a somewhat fiat top shoulder, without any narrowness however. The bone is 
 of medium quality, and the skin h true Aberdeen one ; there might be a broader 
 loin- — just the riglit kind of arch though — and better iilled crops ; for a bull there 
 is an unusual width of the pin bones. " Judge " has grand .■substance, and weighs 
 ,2,300 lbs. 
 
 I am not practically ac([uainted with the Sussex cattle of which there is a 
 yearling bull — " Bruce Standen 2ud." The first impression is Devon, btit this dis- 
 appears under minute inspection. In comi)arison with size and weight no doubt 
 the bone is too fine — apparently uual)le to cari-y his body, and the head is also on 
 the fine side for a bull. Mark liis beautiful bottoni line, the splendid (Aoultl er 
 vein, somewhat flat neck ; the joining of rib and loin is si mi)ly perfect, and a style 
 and depth of barrel like a "man-of-war." We cannot overlook the droop of the 
 hind quarters, however, and a little narrowness at tail— just a little; the quality 
 by skin is decidedly inferior, though it may be a Sussex skin. The beef of this 
 bull goes right down to the hocks. 
 
 " Count of St. Cesaire " is a South Devon bull ; compared with the Su.ssex the 
 hind quarters are un(piestiona1>ly superior; there is the liea<l and horn of a North 
 Devon, but finer, and a great evenness all over, not a bit of coai'seness anywhei'e, 
 and yet no delicacy. 
 
 ]Vc-<t I{i(jh' 7-' ••>>•. — Among the first, if not the first, and some think shouhl 
 be the last, import... .ions of this kind. But opinions difier, and Mr. Whitfield is 
 of opinion that the Highland IjuU is one of the correct experimental lines in con- 
 nection with our Nortli-West grazings. He justifies this by reference to well- 
 known hardiness of the breed, their reiiiarkable ([uality of fiesh, their well-doing 
 from the glens and hillsides of Scotland, and even their weight when matured — 
 maturing however hiter than a good many other breeds. 
 
 " Beauty," a three year old cow, has all the breadth and depth of a small Short- 
 horn, straight hind legs, flat Ixnie— not coarse, wide behind, broad on shoulder tops 
 and crops — a fine head with Hereford horns — an almost faultless build for a beefer, 
 A specimen of the bulls in " Boby" two years old : mark the peculiar black streaks 
 of hair auKmg the dun, rather short in hind quarters, thick skin with mellowness 
 below, and no want of substance according to size. 
 
 The Galloways are headed by " Premier of Landlough," a two year old bull, 
 which combines all the strength and general stamp of the breed — the strong bone, 
 the heavy tail, strong head, long rough hair, the characteristic length of barrel, 
 with well sprung hind ribs, and most marked in depth and width of thighs. 
 
 Thus roughly, but to the best of my ju<]gment, was the standing of the cattle 
 at your Kingston Exhibition this year. If {iny exhibitor lias been ondtted, it must 
 be charged to him.self as I visited every stall, but occasionally found no one in at- 
 tendance, and it may be therefore that one or two are unrepresented. 
 
 br. 
 a 11 
 us[ 
 th 
 
15 
 
 display of 
 of Rouge- 
 is publicly, 
 Mr. Whit- 
 Canadian 
 
 good rea- 
 this conti- 
 at lengtlt ; 
 d head, a 
 neck vein, 
 'he bone is 
 
 a broader 
 bull there 
 id weiglis 
 
 here is a 
 it this dis- 
 
 no doubt 
 is also on 
 
 fAoulder 
 id a sty It- 
 op of the 
 L' quality 
 f of this 
 
 ussex tlie 
 I a North 
 ny where, 
 
 ik should 
 litfield is 
 "s in con- 
 to well- 
 ell- doing 
 atured — 
 
 .11 Short- 
 Idor tops 
 a beefer. 
 < streaks 
 'Uownes.s 
 
 old bull, 
 ng bone, 
 f barrel, 
 bs. 
 
 he cattle 
 , it must 
 no in at- 
 
 11. — The Gharaderist'ics of Brcedti. 
 
 It would not l)e difficult to sk»'tch the conduct and peculiarities of diti'ereiit 
 breeds of cattle as known in their own habitat, but Aviiat would be the use of such 
 a presentation in comparison with tlic santf thinif in otlici- lands? The value to 
 us as Canadians is not so much what is nalized in i^ritain, but how they conduct 
 themselves umler different circumstances, and particularly of Ontario. 
 
 Taking this view as the coj-rect one, I cannot do better than present youi* 
 Pioard with some brief notes on the experience of the Ontario llvperimental Farm 
 — an experience now emliracing seven years under one man's niiinagement. 
 
 The Canadiav. — I know of no class of cnttU- so well deserving a fiist notice in 
 those pages as the Canadian. There is a distinct type entitled to this name. 1 
 do not mean those with a touch of Ayrshire, l)evon, oi- any others — not even the 
 Shorthorn grade — but that moderate sized, milking,wirey, active stamp, well known 
 to the average farmer. If this be considered as somewhat indefinite, we shall be 
 glad to point to s])eeimens here or elsewdiere. 
 
 I claim that the Canadian deserves more notice than has ever been given to it 
 — public and specific — giving a recognized position that cannot be doubted. Have 
 we on relird anywhere such a description and history of the Canadian cow as that, 
 when the time comes, as come it will, when the Herd Book editor will require ma- 
 terials with whicli to trace back to the i»eginnings of wliat with him may be as 
 eminent as any Bates or Booth in England ^ This is no improbable matter indeed, 
 but deserves our serious attention. 
 
 Our experience of this breed has been intimate and very satisfactoiy. We 
 hold by clear and suljstantial evidence for eight years that the Canadian cow 
 takes no mean place as a milker, a mother, and a field for wide work both for l>eef 
 and dairy purposes. Much of this is due to her distinct character in some re- 
 spects : She is decidedly content with her average circumstances — miserable as 
 they be at times — can do as well in the bush as on clover fields, and responds 
 with her best when the thermometer is at zero or OO*^ in the shade. Her quantity 
 of milk is not so large as the Ayrshire for six weeks after calving, but far ahead 
 in continuance, and therefore, on an average, equal ; in cream it is unquestionably 
 superior to the Ayrshires. No one well acquainted with the breeds would choose 
 the Ayrsliiie against the Canadian, where hardiness and profits under ordinary 
 conditions were elements. 
 
 So also in regard to a common .source for clieap production of beef with a 
 Shorthorn or Hereford bull. Other IjuUs have not as yet been sufficiently tried 
 except the Ayrshire and ] )evon, which cannot compare with these two. While small 
 as a beefer, the Canadian cow is roomy as a ])reeder, and thus affords field enough 
 for such a purpose. 
 
 I am confident tliat a proper sfleetion of the milking Canadian wouM add 
 immensely to the dairy and beefing interests of the country. 
 
 The Devon. — The remarkable feature of the Devon with us has been an uni- 
 form conduct — no coming and going in anything, but an even run of breeding, 
 health, and good doing under all C(mdition3. Summer and winter the Devon is 
 e([ually at home — plump on pastm-e, and in good heart in the stall without grain. 
 They have also been i>articularly good mothers, nursing tb.eir calves in a maimer 
 superior to anything in our experience. The Devon calf is always a full calf on 
 its milk alone — rolling in fat and with all the build of an oltl animal. The par- 
 ticular character of the breed and rich milk give these results. After weaning, 
 and all up to heifeihood breeding there is a distinct heartiness and vigoui', on the 
 small scale as regards size; there is no stunting according to theii- kind, but one 
 
 
18 
 
 has to know the kind in order to appreciate the difference between them and the 
 larger Leefers. We have never got nilich milk from a Devon, but in quality it 
 is second only to the Jersey. The bull attains to a greater size and weight pro- 
 portionately to the cow than the same thing in most other breeds, as his " get-up" 
 IS comparatively more of a beofor than, for example, the Ayrshire bull is against 
 the Ayrshire cow. The Devon cow therefore is u riilkcr in quality and moderate 
 «;u'mtity, while the bull gives a ^'rame to the steer that compares well with others 
 foi bco^ ',.;iirying. But the steer will not mature so early as the Sliorthom, Aber- 
 deen Poll, and Hereford, nor ever attain the same weight on an average. 
 
 2'he Ayvakirc. — We have had a pretty thorough test of the Ayrshire cattle. In 
 sure breeding we have no cause to complain, nor can anything l»e said ngainst their 
 adaptability in raising a calf. Every cow we have has had to be milked three and 
 fovr weeks previous to calving — an imperative necessity to avoid milk fover; after 
 calving, two of our best have regularly suckled two calves, and in addition have 
 had to be milked with the hand twice daily for two and three v;eeks, depending 
 upon the time of the year, whether on grass or in stall. We have not, however, 
 been treated to that continuance of milk that I was intimate with in the Lothians 
 of Scotland — the great flow lessening more rapidly and dribbling too long. I do 
 not attribute this to actual poorer pasture or keep otherwise, but to the groat dif- 
 ference in climatic conditions and the want of that important variety If grasses 
 secured only in permanent pasture. It is not true in our experience that the Ayr- 
 shire cow gives a la.sh of milk on comparatively bare jiasture, in which regard she 
 is, on an average, decidedly inferior to the Canadian, but it is true that her milk 
 is of that blue tyjie — not so rich in cream — as characterizes them in their own 
 country. A cross between the Ayrshire bull and Canadian cow is in good repute 
 as a milker with us ; they do not lose in size of frame, and gain somewhat in long 
 milking. A cross with an Ayrshire cow and 8horthoi"n bull has not shown any 
 advantage in milking, and very little in build for beefing, though the steer is 
 vigorous and growthy, but too slab-sided and wedgy — taking too nuich after the 
 mother. Practically then as regards the pure Ayrshire they require good treat- 
 ment in order to maintain their famous milking properties, and I am of opinion 
 that an infusion of new blood is as often needed jus in an\- other breed — not so 
 much a change of bull from other herds in this country as that of a directly im- 
 ported one. 
 
 The Hereford. — This breed has exhibited a very clear and steady line of con- 
 duct all throughout. No trouble in breeding, and no petting required The 
 Hereford is a good mother, second only to the Devon in our experience, and ahead 
 of its dangerous compeers — the Shorthorn and Aberdeen Poll. 
 
 We have been charged with partiality and lack of practical experience in cattle 
 life, by one of our American critics — especially in comparing Herefords and Short- 
 horns. This is not true, and I trust will never be so. As responsible to a Liberal 
 Government, and guiding a grand country, it is, above all things, our religious 
 duty to report just how it is in every ciise — no colouring, no exaggeration, and no 
 understatement of anything whatsoever. To say more is unnecessary ; to say less 
 would savour of want of interest. 
 
 The Hereford, I repeat, has shown an uniformity of conduct quite exceptional 
 along with the Devon ; without grain, winter and summer — bran excepted, and 
 the usual treat after calving. The Hereford keeps fat on pasture and in the stable, 
 never falling off, even when suckling, Greedy enough, no doubt — down to the 
 horse manure — not a speciality, as showing a want of something, but a consistent 
 looking out for number one. We have no breed as a whole, nor individuals among 
 breeds, that can touch the Hereford in maintaining flesh on pasture. Indeed, we 
 have cases of too much tendency to coveting the ribs, and taking from the calf; 
 
 s an! 
 \ otll 
 
 j 
 
 ' noil 
 
 ; ;ih| 
 
 i , 
 
 S onl 
 ■ col 
 
 ; m 
 
 1 nc 
 ^ rei 
 
17 
 
 ^(^m and the 
 in quality it 
 weiglit pro- 
 '"■' "get-up" 
 "11 is against 
 ui moderate 
 with others 
 tliom, Aber- 
 
 •0 cattJo. In 
 igainst their 
 'd three and 
 fover ; after 
 dition have 
 , depending 
 >t, however, 
 le Lothians 
 long. I do 
 e groat dif- 
 *' kf gra,sses 
 it the Ayr- 
 regard slie 
 it her milk 
 their own 
 ood repute 
 lat in long 
 ?hown any 
 he steer is 
 li after the 
 food treat- 
 of opinion 
 'd— not so 
 rectly im- i 
 
 ne of con- 
 red. The 
 uid ahead 
 
 3 in cattle 
 id Short- 
 a Liberal 
 religioim 
 n, and no 
 3 say less 
 
 •optional 
 'ted, and 
 e stable, 
 n to the 
 insistent 
 s among 
 'oed, we 
 ■he calf: 
 
 and a peculiarity of their build is the being deep in calf and not sliowing it, as is 
 otherwise in most other breeils — the calf also coming, without affecting the mother's 
 appearance much. 
 
 The fattening steer, from the IToreford bull and Canadian cow, is quite char- 
 acteristic. The marking \^ strong and unquestionable ; the build is a Hereford in 
 aim )8t every detail, the pig ham (as age advances), the round, compact barrel, 
 longish rumps, deep twi><t, and the general low, chunky set of the whole animal. 
 
 The Shorthorn. — We have never treated one breed of cattle or sheep differ- 
 <'ntly from another, unless special circumstances demanded it; thus then, these 
 comparative notes are the more valuable and reliable. I say this, here, because 
 .Shorthorn history, with us, has been more comj)licated than with other cattle : 
 not, certainly, by reason of want of variety in blood and family, nor even num- 
 bers, to make a good average — for wo have, or have had, plenty of both. With 
 Shorthorn leanings, as an individna , I can freely and fearlessly, nevertheless, 
 record how Shorthorns have conducted themselves with us for seven years. 
 
 W^e can speak highly of the milking properties — ^in quantity and quality — of 
 the most of our cows of this breed, — making good calves, or reliable milkers, as 
 the case may have been. We have nothing to say against the sure breetling of 
 the cows, but our four bulls, in these years, have not given satisfaction in this re- 
 spect. yWthout exception, they have cau.sed delay, loss, trouble, and extra expense. 
 Why, 1 am not prepared to say, — two were imported and two Canadian bred ; 
 none were ever in such high flesh as those of some other herds ; indeed we have 
 noted, very distinctly, that those bulls, in best flesh — that is, on the heavy side, 
 have been surer in getting than those on the less fleshy side. But, and 1 desire 
 most seriously, to make this " Imf," once and for all, understood, we have never 
 fed Shorthorns differently from others; if we bad done so, this would be no 
 expcrimetital station. Understand what I mean by this. If we have a two-year- 
 old Shorthorn, with a large frame, weighing 1,600 lbs., and a Hereford, exactly of 
 the same age and of a somewhat smaller frame, weighing 1,500 Ibs.,^ — we feed them 
 according to weight and size, — a little m.ore to that weighing the mcst ; this is in 
 agreement with all rules of common sense as well as with science and physiology 
 — not breed, because we do the same thing with individuals of the like breeds: 
 But. we have never fed the Shorthorn, because he was a Shorthorn, nor the Hero- 
 ford, or Aberdeen Poll, because of their kind. This is the true experimental idea, 
 we think. If, 'tis said, the choice of individual bulls was bad, then the reply is, 
 that three independent judges did so ; if management, by want of practical know- 
 ledge is charged, then, the same management had to do with the otiier bulls that 
 have stood so well. If the Shorthorn requires, on an average, more drawing-room 
 attention than other beeting breeds, then it had better be acknowledged at once, 
 and I don't think their admirers need be ashamed of the fact. 
 
 We have fattened Shortliorn grades, Hereford grades, Dovon grades, Ayrshire 
 grades, and Galloway grades for beef, both in the stall and on pasture, and nothing 
 equals the Shorthorn, in giving that stamp to produce weight in the shortest time 
 on Ontario conditions — growth of youth on good pasture, and finishing in the 
 stall. 
 
 IVie Aberdeen Poll. — We hold the honour of havinix introduced this breed to 
 Canada as put by Mr. McDonald, the clever author of " Food from the West," as 
 well as the recent work on Aberdeen Polls, and who is also editor of " The Iri.sh 
 Farmers' Gazette." 
 
 Our experience, thus far, is somewhat irregular : Health and breeding liave 
 been very good ; milking sure, in moderate quantity and rich, with plenty of flesh 
 both in stall and on pasture, yet we have to record an indefinite sort of instability, 
 difficult to explain — I speak now of the first imported animals and their progeny, 
 
 .«,«t«'S»iri'^«W^i»,'!f 
 
18 
 
 not of ISSl purcliasos. Tlio insttibility in ruicstion lias roferonoo to a coMiin<j an^l 
 j^oiiig of'lieaUh, ospucially in suinnuT, as indicatttl \>y c-1iaii<;t' oi" coat auci general 
 "atarivf;" of tlie wliole aniiual, as il" troin<r tliiontrli a courjse ot" iiiedicine. Tntli- 
 vidual animals of any class often do so, as eveiyltody know;i, but nota wholo herd 
 of one kind. Thoro has been no sickness actually. 
 
 Wc liavu on hand four very tine stetM-s — the fiist cross of an Abei-<leen Poll 
 hull with Shorthorn ^^rade cows, with which we trust to convince the Province, 
 ere lonjj, as to the eminent becting properties of the lilaek Diamonds of the Nortli 
 of Scotland. 
 
 The Flocks ok Ontaiuo. 
 
 A flock may consist of any number. A ])en is more dellMite, nnd usually 
 made up of one ram and ten ewes. Ontario is not brii^ht in wool and nuitton, in 
 comparison with cattle. Wei-e she so, there would i)e (iO,000 in place of 8,001) 
 thoroug-hbi-t;ds. During the early settlement of the country, sheep were not 
 wanted; things were too rougli — bush life is not good sheep life, and though the 
 housewife of those days would like to have had her spinning-wheel at work, the 
 greater need of food would overrule. Cuwlually, however, as cultivation increased 
 and wealth and leisure grew, nnitton and wool were wanted. Then all over, as 
 now in too many cases, it was weight or quantity of everything, more tlTan qual- 
 ity, so that long-wooled breeds were known, long before any others. Wo have 
 evidence of this as follows : 
 
 f^ 
 
 Some early Importations and Breeding of She e}^ in Ontario. 
 
 Year. 
 
 18.')4 — Leicosters, by late Hester "Rennelson, North Dumfries. 
 
 1835 — Leicesters, by James Cowan, Gait. 
 
 18.38 — Leicester.s, by William Ash, St. Catharines. 
 
 184'2 — Leicesters, by William Whitelaw, Ouelph. 
 
 1843 — Southdowns, by William Ash, St. Catharines. 
 
 184(j — Leicesters, by William Douglass, Onondaga. 
 
 1850 — Cotswold, by James Rus,sell, Richmond Hill. 
 
 1850 — Lincoln, by W \: H ( iourley, (,'arp, Carleton. 
 
 1850 — Southilown, by Robert Marsh, Richmond Hid. 
 
 1850 — Southdowns, hy H. H. Spencer, Brooklin. 
 
 1850— Lincoln, by All)ert Tamlilyn, Orono. 
 
 1854 — Cotswold, by John Snell, Edmonton. 
 
 1850 — Cotswold, by Henry McChuk, Colinvillc, Lambton. 
 
 1859 — Cotswold, bv R. Rennelson, North Dumfries. 
 
 1 8 ',,0— Southdown," l)y W. K. O'Brien, Rariie. 
 
 18U2 — Southdown, by John Jackson, Abingdon. 
 
 I894 — Southdown, by A. Smith, Aberfoyle. 
 
 18<i5 — Southdown, by T. Wilkinson, Renton. 
 
 1805 — Southdown, by R. Rennelson, North J)umfries. 
 
 Previous to the year 1842, therefore, the importation and breeding of Leices- 
 ers were not uncouDuon with the men who still lead us in the same thing, and 
 even up to 1853, with one exception, tlie exanq:)les of early work were among 
 long wools; not onl}- .so, for, even up to ISOO, we have but three cases, so far as 
 returns obtained by me show, of Down breeding, so that practically long wool« 
 were a quarter of a century in advance of the short wools. 
 
 At the present time the Leicester and Cotswold are upon an equal footing l)y 
 
19 
 
 t coniiu^rap,] 
 
 aiK. j^en.'nii 
 
 t;i^H^ fndi- 
 
 i whuluLonl 
 
 I'l'leen Poll 
 K! I'lovincc, 
 ^i'tliwNortli 
 
 'i<l usually 
 iiuitton, ill 
 ce of 8,()0{) 
 
 ^\fro nut 
 tliuu^h tile 
 ■ work, til.' 
 '1 iucreasixl 
 over, as 
 than qual- 
 
 Wu have 
 
 ■ Leices- 
 ing, and 
 among 
 -> far as 
 'I woolm 
 
 'Aug by 
 
 umbers, so that as tho Cotswold era began in 1854 there must have been a 
 ci-line in Leicester patronage, and a corresponding increase to that of Cotswolds. 
 Jhn L'neolns have never got a strong hold in Ontario, and at this date can be told 
 |nsido of one humbed rams and three humh-ed ewes — a mere liandful, of course, 
 po alMO with the Aferino. Indeed the Merino has not any place in Ontario, what- 
 ever Mr. K. Uadey, of Union, County cf Elgin, may have to advance to the con- 
 trary. The reasons for tliis are good and practical. As recent Britishers we are 
 imacquainted with tlieni, they give but indifferent mutton, they are slow in matur- 
 ing and unprolitic, and they are a ranging and unkindly breed, ill adapted to the 
 *niall farms of a wjttded, newly-inipn.ved country. In these days, anywhere, 
 icven in our great runs of \merica, California and Australia, a mutton crop is 
 Iwanted along with the wool, and consociuently a change is urgent. 
 I Next in order of introduction to the Piynince were tlie Oxford l^owns, and 
 til is, so far as can bo ascortdned, by tlie Ontario Experimental Farm in IS7<». 
 They have not made that rusli wh'ich many predicted— still in the hands of a 
 dozen !>n<l numbering about two bundivd head. 
 
 The earliest record of the Slir.ipsliire is \,y William Donaldson, of E:ist Zorra, 
 Oxford county, in bS(i7, and they are now far ahead of iIk^ O.xford in distrilaition 
 [and numbers-over five hundred in all— ui the counties of York, Simeoe, Middle- 
 sex, Ontario, Uui-on and Wellington. 
 
 Tlie relative numbers of the dilVereiit breeds of .sheep in the Trovince may bo 
 thus illustrated : 
 
 llampsbire Downs ... g 
 Oxford Downs. 
 
 Merino 
 
 Lincoln 
 
 Shropshire 
 
 vSouthdowus. 
 Cotswolds... 
 Leicester^.,. , 
 
 2Vtc Conchid of Breeds (yf Sheep in Ontario, 
 
 For the same reasim as given in my report on Cattle herewith, it is as much 
 in place to submit the experience of The Ontario Experimental Farm with Sheei*, 
 since the year 187'), and, in addition to the pure breeds, a few words upon the 
 Canadian ewe will aptly precede. 
 
 The CaiiKdlan Jure. — What is she ? X very diHicult question to answer. If 
 roadside samples be taken as a guiile, she is everything and nothin<^-, most clearly. 
 The reference to the roadside bids me say that of all kinds of pasture in Ontario 
 — I cannot speak of other Provinces — whether rotation, permanent, bush, or cleared 
 wild pasture upon farms, none equals much of what covers one-half of our high- 
 ways. It is a close mat of the lietter native grasses with white clover, offering at 
 all times a rich sweet bite for she(>p, funl is top-dressed every heavy rain by the 
 washing fi-om the tratHc-manured centre. As each township on an average pos- 
 ses.ses about 'I'yQ miles of opened roads, of which one-half of the area is under .such 
 pasture, there are actually one thousand acres of an excellent shecqi run able to 
 maintain at least 1,000 head annually. This is no fancy, and 1 do not eaie though 
 some sceptic halves it — say 500 head, therefore. There being .*?()0 townships in 
 older Ontario, we have the magnificent figure of 150,000 sheep that could, at thi; 
 lowest estimate, be maintained, at no risk or annoyance to anyboily, on our high- 
 way pasture. By the August statistics of our Buieau of Industries, there are 
 2,000,000 sheep of all ages and kinds in Ontario— say 1,500,000 for the older parts 
 
20 
 
 referred to — which shows that ono-tcnth of their number cither are or should be 
 kept upon tho roiuls, allowauco being made fur tin; thoroughliredB that «re not 
 allowed sucli liberty. The annual vuluo of this "commouty" cannot be put at less 
 than $yO(),()00. 
 
 Tlie (Canadian ewe, on on average of localities, as influenced by great centres 
 of long and short wool pure-breda, is a mixture of Leicester, Cotswold, Lincoln 
 and Southdown in all degrees of variety, but generally with a predominating Lei- 
 •ester type. She is roomy according to size, fairly well wooUed, weak forocjuarters, 
 two-necked, and combines hardiness with ability to raise a g(wd lamb, and give 
 above an average equality of mutton. 
 
 The Leicester. — Alter tho Canadian, which tracen so much to Iji ioeater, tho 
 same Leicester deserves our next notice. Our experience has been nearly altoge- 
 ther with the Border typeantl not the English proper which, it is now well agreed, 
 differ only as affected by conditions of upbringing, not in blood or original source. 
 We have nothing in .slieep life that can touch the Leicester in being early ready 
 for any purpose — on getting what it likes. Breeding has not been so Bure or pro- 
 lific — about one lamb ])er head ; they are but moderately good nurse.M, being too 
 ■elfish in the disposal of their food ; tho Leicester is essentially a" bear" in char- 
 acter, la} ing on fat for hard times, and hence the abundant supply of milk is not 
 prominent on an average. Lambs come with a delicate bearing, but once over tho 
 tirst month their progress is wonderful. Friend Bakewell's soda-water bottle i* 
 atill a feature in tlieir build, and so also is the want of wool below, on young as well 
 as old animals. 'J'hus we have evidence of tho prepotency of the Leicester. The 
 fattened wether, with us is simply an extiaonlinary piece of mutton — I mean tho 
 shearling wether, as nothing else is admissible in these days of sharp profits — the 
 immense depth, breadth, and prominence of the forequarters, the ti!ling-in of tho 
 arms and thighs, and the general buiichini.' of outside fat, is a fine piece of study, 
 peculiar and curious. Who would eat it ? Not many by choice, certainly, and very 
 few by compulsion when the shearling weighs 307 lbs., as we had this year. 
 
 Tlie Southdown. — England's choice mutton — the great little breed of its chalk 
 bills. W^e purposely place this after the Leicester, as, in our opinion, it is a Leicester 
 in build and maturing. It is difficult to ilo justice to this breed with pen and ink, 
 because it is easier to describe a faulty animal than a perfect one. 
 
 1 desire to record, without any touch of doubt, that the Southdown is unmis- 
 takably our best friend at Guelph. I say Guelph, because as in any sheep life, 
 conditions of climate, altitude, soil, vegetation and management affect so strongely 
 that their conduct diflers very strikingly, even on neighbouring farms. Friend 
 here means one and one-half lamb per ewe — coming early, strong, plump, and with 
 all the build of a mature animal. The average weight of a yicwty-borii kmb is a* 
 heavy as the average of any other breed. The Southdown is a splendid mother, 
 doing as well to two as the Cotswold does to one lamb ; no doubt she does not do 
 soon nothing, as in comparison with size she is a great forager. So pronunent i.s 
 this breed in milking properties that any difficulty we have had in udder affection.s 
 has been with it. The Southdown do not go and come in flesh .so much as any of 
 the other breeds in our hands, and they are nmch less subject to disease, and wdien 
 under any trouble they recover sooner and are more reliable afterwards; these are 
 very marked facts in ourexperiencc> — away above all doubt. 
 
 In regard to fattening, and the power of improving other breeds, or rather tho 
 production of wool and mutton with the common grade ewes of the country, it is 
 on record elsewhere in this report that while less in weight there is a value of theso 
 products that places the Southdown second to nothing, and erjualled only by tho 
 Shropshire. 
 
 2'he Cotsivuld.—'We have had a larger flock of Cots wolds than others, and as 
 true animals of their kind, as in any other. The gray face and the larger stamp 
 
tl 
 
 r are or should 
 reds that sro net- 
 not lie put lit less 
 
 hy ^'roat centres 
 'otswold, Lincoln 
 3ii()mina(ing Lei- 
 I'ak fortviuurters, 
 I l.'unl", ami give • 
 
 ;o Ij( ioester, tho 
 ri nearly altoge- 
 io\v well a(>reed, ] 
 
 /jriyinal Bource.' ' 
 ■in^' early ready 
 I so Bure or pro- 
 "I'soH, bein<,' too 
 "I't'ur" in char- . 
 
 of milk is not \ 
 t once over tho 
 water bottle U 
 1 young as well 
 
 eicester. The 
 n — I mean the 
 ip profits— tho . 
 Iliii^^-in of tho * 
 )iece of study, 
 inly, and veiy 
 is year. 
 
 ed of its chalk 
 i is a Leicester 
 
 pen and ink, 
 
 )wn is unmis- 
 ny sheep life, 
 !i no strongely 
 rms. Friend 
 inp, and with 
 'ti limb is a* 
 ndid mother, 
 i does not do 
 prominent in 
 ler arteetionH 
 -h as any of 
 e, and when 
 s ; these are 
 
 •r rather tho 
 )uiitry, it is 
 lueof theso 
 Jniy by the 
 
 lers, and as 
 iger stamp 
 
 J 
 
 of tlio white faces have Vxh'u han<lled here. Ono and one-fourth 1. » per oive if 
 the average produce. They do not come so strong and so well maoo-up as th^ 
 Downs; but once fairly into nulk and extra food, make rapid progress. Tho ewe* 
 arc moderate mothers ami great eaters. We have no breed so liable to catarrh or 
 "Buifters" as this, and we hear the same C'>mplaint from other breeilers. Suddeu 
 changes of weather, a wet bed, or any unusual climatic condition is sure to bririur 
 na«e runnings ; even the newly born landj is sometimes aft'ectod. The (\)tswold 
 maintains wool in ([uantity and cjualKy well, and longer than tho Leicester. In 
 fattening wo cannot llnish them so t;arly as the Leicester, South Down or other 
 Dowas, and they are slower at taking on the " last dip," but for great weights 
 notliing can beat them. 
 
 The Merino. — The extremes in sheep life with us are the Cotswold an<l Merino, 
 the iize and coarse wool of the one, against the size ami fine wool of tJie other ; 
 they are jvlike in slower maturing — tlie Merino is too unsettlctl, and too much of 
 the racehorse stamp to fill our views of a modern mutton producer. But practic- 
 ally our experience in pure breedin;^' has been very limite(l — has been more in th<# 
 line of testing the value of tlie oflsprin^'of a very fine French ram with the com- 
 mon ewes of the c(junly. The marking in frame and wool is most striking^never 
 doubtful even to the tijmper. Wool from hoof to horn — wool everywhere except 
 a small part of the faec^ and muzzle on the grade. The clip, in weight amhjuality 
 stands hii,di, jind the fattened sbearlini; wether has surprised us in weight and 
 good handling, as to which see special notes in my Farm Report in killing of vari- 
 ous grades. 
 
 The Sli ropshlre. — We like this breed for several good reasons, as had by our 
 own experience. It is reliable in breeding and prepotenc}', tho ewes hohl tlcsh 
 easily and without danger, are average mothers — not equal to the Southdowns — 
 prolific, one and onedialf lamb; give a heavy close crop of medium long wool of 
 tine texture and average lustre. Jn weight of carcass and wool it stands between 
 South and Oxford Downs. In competition with the five other breeds, tho Shrop- 
 shire is equalled only by the Southdown in value of annual productions, ami whero 
 extreme (piality of flesh and wool is not the sole object of the flock-master, but 
 more weight of both crops and somewhat less quality, then the Shropshire will 
 lead in nnicli of our future in Ontario. 
 
 The hittened grade wether is a nicely balanced piece of mutton, a little on tlio 
 late side of maturing, not broad enough in the fore-quarters to some mind.s, and 
 just a little leggy, but grand ([uality in bone, as well as handling. 
 
 The Oxford Down. — The most modern of improved sheep, and showing much 
 of the size and nobility of one of their progenitors — the Cotswold. If it bo true 
 that the issue of a Cotswold ram with a Hampshire ewe was the origiiuition of 
 this breed then OotswoM power must be strong, because, as I have said, size holds, 
 and the more open and coarse staple of wool also tells of Oloucestershire influence. 
 
 We hold the h(jnour pi'actically of introducing this breed to Canada, in 1870. 
 when, advised to purchase Lineolns, we preferred to give the Oxford Down a place. 
 Anticipations have been very .satistactoiily realized. For early maturing, mainten- 
 ance of weiijht, power to produce thruMj^h the common Canadian, making good 
 mothers, and giving one. and two-thirds lamb per ewe, no other breed equals tho 
 Oxford Down, on an average. Value, in these times, of course, is not necessarily 
 implied in such a strong statement as this, but, to those who desire a medium 
 wool — on the long side, somewhat open and coarse, comparatively to other Downs 
 — a heavy fleece, a strong scjuare frame, early flesh of good quality, with ability 
 to reproduce these through a common source, the Oxford Down must command a 
 high place. 
 
11 
 
 Slifi'p (tt J{ln(^Hton, 
 
 L< ircsft'yi^.- WWWiUw AVhitiiliiw, of nuclpli, one of our emli'vst inipoitcrH, and 
 still a loiulor in the brnvlinj^of tlio Border typo. 1 am conlidL'nt in a.s.sortiiij,' tlmt 
 Mr. Whittdaw never exliii»ited aiiytliin<,' l>ut pi'di<,'roe shoop ; lie wtiuld not even 
 think of trying' jm Kn^di>li [icicester upon liis Holders letalone other lonj^ wools. lie 
 is a true and rclialile Itncder, a .systfiiiatic advocate of frecpient use of new Itlocxl, 
 and nnich of it from " home," as widl as not afraid to show what the Leicester can 
 do in earryinjf llesh when required. I like the quality of his Hock, which is vi-ry 
 even all over without any <U'lieacy. He is paiticularly successful in inaintainiii!^' 
 wool lioth in (piality and as an even croj) over the carcass. This exhihit main- 
 tainetl these points in perfection. 
 
 John Kelly, jun., of Shakespoare, has a standinn' of twilve years among the 
 Bolder Leice.sters in Ontario, and a hiitter practical Judi;e of theui is siddouj niet 
 with. His ac((aintnnce did not bej^dn here, and his eiiterprise is not confined ti» 
 Avhat can lie found In re. His last imiiortation M-as fr ni Mr. A. iJ. Melviu, .Midlo- 
 thian, Scotland, amouij whi.'h some rams of rare merit are still in u.-e, one of them 
 beinj,' now at the Ontario E\i)erimental Farm. There is plenty of character and 
 no want of quality in the sanip'es from Mr. Kelly's Hock on exhibition. Andrew 
 Murray, of Ulanbrassel, is nNo an exhibitor of Leicester.s pure, strong;- and well 
 wooled, from Bow Park herd. 
 
 Cotsirohh.-- Iletny Arkell, of Arkell, a niudern importer and breeder to a very 
 considerable extent. A two shear ewe is very len^tliN' and a i;rand one all over, 
 with the exception of .somewhat o[)en wool. His two shear ram from (lillet, of 
 Enifland, of the grey-faced type, is strongly built, and otherwise a tine aniiual, but 
 with the like open and somewhat strong Hoece. Mr. Arkell showed Ki (\)t^swolds. 
 
 I'eter Arkell, of Teeswater, shows one grey-faced ram laml>, with a strcjiig 
 coat and a vigorous frame. The beginning of the lloek goes back to the }'ear 18G0. 
 
 Jixuies Main, of Miltou, exhibited some gMod sheep of this breed. 
 
 Liiicolnx. — Andrew Murray, of C.'lanbrassil, had sevei'al Lincolns on Exhibi- 
 tion. The ram has the characteristic wool, is lengthy, strong of course, and gene- 
 rally good. There is a very tine ewe weighing '2S') pounds, which, however, is 
 weak-loined for the size. 
 
 (Kvfonl Doti)is. — Henry ArKcll, of Arkell, hatl twelve head of these in com- 
 petition, the average stamp of which wa.s first class ; all were beautifully covered 
 with wool in quality and texture, and indicated their character as early matnrers 
 of tiosh by handling and gvneral appearance. Some were rather strting in bone, 
 and would be better with less leg. 
 
 Peter Arkell, of Teeswater, with fifteen head, had a shearling ram, more re- 
 gular than his brother's, and even superior in wool, if possible. He has four .spe- 
 cially tine shearling ewes, S(|uare. deep, compact, heavy, and st} lish ; a.s well as 
 two ewe land>s of a particulai'ly taking style. 
 
 Hampi^hirc. — The county of (bvnville is at present a centre of wealth by the 
 enterpri.se of one man. W. T. Benson, of v'ardinai, is an impoiter and breeder of 
 Shorthorns, Herefords. Cotswolds, Oxford Downs, Shropshire and Hampshire 
 and Hampshiie Downs. He is the only exhibitor of this latter breed of Sheep, 
 now 60 highly recommended for Ontario purposes. I do not like the two-shear 
 ram under exauunation, he is an oddly long and narrow animal ; a long neck 
 also, the well-known strong head, but wool of grand texture and density. The 
 .shearling ewes are beautifully built, and compact. 
 
 Soufk Boicnfi. — The closest competition among sheep was with these, and be- 
 tween three of Oii tar io's best men. Robert Mar.sh, of Richmond Hill, is among 
 onr oldest, and one of the most eminent breeders of South Downs. Thirty-tw» 
 
28 
 
 iiiipoifprN, and 
 n nN.s.'itini,' tliufc 
 k'"iil(l not t>von 
 
 l<»n;ir\V()((I.s. JIo 
 
 t' •>/■ nuw Mo(m], 
 (.' Loicostt'i- cuii 
 , whifh is Vi'vy 
 ill niuin(aiiiini( 
 <-'xIiil»it muiu- 
 
 H's anionf» tlic 
 is scldoin met 
 >t conliiicd tii 
 ^li'lvin, Mi.llo- 
 '. o'le of them 
 fliaiactor and 
 i<»". Ajidrevr 
 'M-' jiiid well 
 
 'dor to a very 
 one all ovei-, 
 )iii (Jillet, of" 
 e animal, I>ut 
 0' ( Vitswolds. 
 itli a strcjiiir 
 K'3-oar 18(J(i. 
 
 ■* on Exhibi- 
 ', anc' 
 however 
 
 geno- 
 
 is 
 
 lese in coni- 
 illy covered 
 y inaturei-.s 
 ng in bone, 
 
 niorc re- 
 
 is four spc- 
 
 a.s well a.s 
 
 iltli by the 
 breeder of 
 
 dampsliiro 
 of (Sheep, 
 two-shear 
 
 long- nock 
 
 iity. The 
 
 iP, and be- 
 is amonsr 
 nirtj-tw9 
 
 years is a lt)ni,' timo it is I'oi- all purposivs tlie liistoiy of Ontailo — to stick to one 
 bleed as lie has done, always eeitain of his work, never despairinij, and now reap- 
 in,:,' a ;,'olilen luirvest. lie likes the Webb and \Valsin:;liam blood, and hi-, floek 
 at pies(.'nt nnmber over one hnndred head. His " I'rince oi' Wales," from Sand- 
 rin^'hajn, is ;i ram of line (inality and ^rowd sul 'stance, h lurthy, and JiHt a little 
 poinly Ik'IumiI. The two sliear lain '• Kenry Webb ' —of f.innMis South howu 
 n\emory in KnL,datid — is not .so .stronji,' loined as thi' other, antl yet of a stron{:fer 
 .stamp otherwise. Two ewe hunbs, from ("oK.'Uwin, of Norfolk. Kn^land. are un- 
 (piestiomibly of reiiiaikalil" (piality and ^i/e not a rou-li si/e, and there is wuol 
 everywhere — earM, and absolntely everywhere except the nostril. 
 
 John Jackson, of Abin^rilon, as already notice!, be;;;in lireedinyin l.S<!2, and 
 i.s now takin,:,' to the " Henry Webb" lilood. He shows twent> -.■^even head in all 
 — the lar^H'st on the ;,'ronnd. The two-shear ram " (.'olonel Webb, 4.') " is of the 
 reachy stamii of South l.)owns- -very line no doubt, but somewhat l;ickinn' behind. 
 Mr. .Jack;>on is vei'v enterprising', and not afiaid to use n'ood blond from any ipi.ir- 
 tei', always jtnre and icliable. 
 
 Thomas Wilkinson, of llenton, shows twenty head, His tlock is d.'ep in 
 ('<)lem;\n l)loo(l by recent importations, and his work u'oe-s back to the year IHG.'*. 
 The slu'arliii;;' ram "Coleman, I.SS2" is a very lengtliy sheep with a somewhat 
 heavy heail, and just a little slack-loined, but a Hne one nevertheless. I wa- sy 
 taken with the ramdamb as to secure it for the Ontario Ivxperiniental I'aiiii ; for 
 size, style, wool and eonstitntioii, 1 did not see bis equal. Shall 1 add that he is 
 on the strong' .side for a Southdown :' The Shearlin<^' ewes are simply perfect — 
 vi^/or, room, and such fleeces. 
 
 Merino. — ^Geor^^e Hood, of Guelph, shows a French Merino ram of the ll:im- 
 bonlia blood, the late French Royal farm Hock. This is th< heaviest of the kind, 
 nuich over the Spanish or Saxony, and eipially well wH)olled. 
 
 There Avas another exhibit of Merino— bv whom I could not ascertain — of the 
 American stamji. If they were so, ]iit the sheiiherds who have to do with such 
 scraggy, dirty, long-tailed, small things — an irregular i>uncii of very tine wool, 
 without carcass. 
 
 l'\(t Shecjy. — Little competition, but large merit, Ontario woiild practically have 
 no name in thi.s line but for George Hood,of Ouelph. No better judge of a .sheei> 
 anywhere, few with e(pial enter])rise, many le.s.s liberal, and none who has swej.it 
 the American continent as he has for .some years past with fat sheep. ^Ir. Hood, 
 as 1 write (24th Novendjcr, INHii), is again at the Chicago Fat Stuck Show, and, 
 with hi.s own material and a draft from the Ontario Experimental Farm, has, I 
 1 think, .sni'prised himself. The Leicester grade, Cotswold grade, Oxford Dovvu 
 grade, Shropshire grade, South Down gradj and ^lerino grade wethers in his hand* 
 are an exhil)it raie and valuable of theai.selves — a study and a guide to the On- 
 tario farmer who desires to know what to do, 
 
 HI. — Herds and Flucks irnrepresenied ai K'uiyxton. 
 
 Many of onr best herds and flocks were not represented at Kingston. A^ I have 
 material wherewith to make a book, even were it necessary, \ipon what must 
 
 JJICVUVI Kl.! >v JUJH.; » ll'll \.\J llltllVC Oi LH/^'IV, ^ > VII »t;iC it IlVUV^.^aill > , ll|fV'il »»iii».*. *.. ..».:.v 
 
 alway.s be an interesting and valuable subject, you will allow me to submit a run- 
 ning reference to .some of the principal of these herds and tU)cks. 1 shall po,sji- 
 ' ly overlook some that are more important than these because of want of pei.sonal 
 nowledge of them, or that may be unknown to me by reputation. In this I t'ust 
 hose interested will be assured of my perfect <lisintereste(lness, other than its na- 
 
 bl 
 k 
 tl 
 tional sirrnitieance: 
 
 Take the northern section of the Province first. Our information ler.U.s a.s 
 
24 
 
 far north as ^laganetawan, where in the haniils of Mr. Holditch " Royal Clmrlie" 
 [1833 reg.] must be doing good Sliorthorn work among the northern pioneers ; this 
 animal is from the herd of Rlr. Bridges, Shanty Bay. Mr. Holditch, who has 
 also some really good Cotswolds and Southdowns, deserves, of all men in Ontario, 
 our heartiest " well done." Mr. Muntz, of Alport, Muskoka, was the first to in- 
 troduce Herefords north of Orillia. His herd of thirteen include some animals of 
 a type equal to any in the Province, and are })rincipally from Mr. Bridges, Shanty 
 Bay. His choice of England's famous grazier for meadow and rock was theoreti- 
 cally good, and it is to be hoped, is now practically realized. So also arc his 
 Southdowns from F. W. Stone of Guelph — as evidence, one hundred grades now 
 luxuriating. A considerable patronage of Devons exists in Mara, per George 
 Boulton, and with W. Calverle}', of Orillia — the one from the herd of W. C. 
 O'Brien. Shanty Hay, and the other from G. lludd, Guelph — their success must 
 be satisfactory, as both date back to 1S76. Associated with these, in both cases, 
 ftro Hocks of Southdown from the old and careful breeder, Mr. Cuppagc, Orillia, 
 than whom few can talk Shortwools . > well. In breeding of Hereforils, C. A. 
 Bridges, Shanty Bay, near Barrie, has ten years experience, and his present stand- 
 ing in merit, if not in inimbers — 40 head — is possibly unequalled on an average. 
 Beginning with a draft from Mr. Stone, Guelph, he has since added materially to 
 the herd by direct importations from England. Mr. Bridges is also high in Shrop- 
 phire fever — the largest flodv (lO!)) of these in the province, I thiidv, and in addi- 
 tion, has over ')0 Southdowns of Mar.sh blood. Simcce is more than well up in 
 modern livestock ; but these are not Simcoe's limit — Dr. ^Morton, of Bond Head, 
 is a breeder of Shorthorns and Southdowns — "British Statesman " [SI 7 5] (4284' 7) 
 being at the top of his herd ; E. D, Morton, of Barrie, is al.so a Shorthorn and 
 Southdown patronizer of no little merit. " Baron Gano 2d "[ tSTS] leads the 
 lierd, and Marsh prevails nmong the flock. Then there is first -class breeding of 
 Shropshires by Dalton McCarthy, 'M. P., Southdowns and Shorthorns by John 
 Srigley, of AUandale, and not least, though last named, is Walter llaikcs, of Barrie, 
 who has twenty-two years experience with Shorthorns, and holds at present 
 ' British Hero," (oi).">OG) — representation of a valuable and well-known family in 
 England's livestock. Striking west to Grey County, near Owen Sound, we speak 
 to W. J. Patenson about his Princess bull, " Ro.sy Prince 4th," [92S()] an<l a score 
 of good eow.s and heifers; then to Bnice, \vhere Richard Rivers, of Walkerton, is 
 nearly as bright in Shorthorns — having " Scraphinas l>uke, :Id," [7846] with 
 Southdowns from Stone an<l Anderson; Leicesters from Whitelaw, all of (.Juclph ; 
 and Cotswolds from the Snells of Biampton. Mr. Rivers gi)es back to 1S()7 as a 
 Hock master. Bruce has also Robert Gowanloek of Cotswohl and Leicester renown, 
 as well as James Thompson, Mihlmay, v. ho can s])e.ak of expei'ience with Leices- 
 ters in 1S.')0, and in closing the Northern trio we nnist not omit Henry McNaliy, 
 of Maple Hill, as a Shorthorn ndvoeate, as well as Robert B. Fleming in Leicesters. 
 I wish I were able to do justice to the west midland counties with all thci. 
 age and wealth of cattle and slieep In bearing south from Biuce we find R. & 
 W. Scott, ot Harriston, patronizing the Experimental Fann Leicesters, and Durham 
 blood fj'oia James Brown, of Gait, near Alma, in Wellington county, also, we 
 couhl profitably take a day with the Mes.srs. Hunter. These gentlemen take a 
 high stand in the Province as careful bre(>ders — men not afraid of England's Two 
 Thousand Guinea yearling bulls and heifers, and believers in Booth with jiedigree, 
 It would make a big tree to trace all the Himtei's have clone for the Province 
 since 18GS. Their present bull " Socrates ," (456tO) is from the rich herd of Hugh 
 Alymer, of Norfolk, England, which I have not seen since its introduction to the 
 Alma herd, but opinion is high upon his merits, and breeding is vigorous. There 
 is no want of field among the splendid lot of cows and heifera. The Hunters have 
 
25 
 
 ' Royal Charlie " 
 •n pioneers ; this 
 ditch, who has 
 men in Ontario, 
 the first to in- 
 some animals of 
 bridges, Shanty 
 V was theoreti"- 
 So also arc his 
 ed grades now 
 'a, i)er Georfje 
 lerd of \T. C. 
 
 success must 
 
 in both cases, 
 ppanrc, Orillia, 
 refords, C. A. 
 present stand- 
 n an average. 
 
 materially to 
 "igli in Shrop- 
 
 '>"d in addi- 
 n well up in 
 
 i^ond Head, 
 ^lo] (4284.7) j 
 I'lrthorn and i 
 ^'«J leads the I 
 
 breeding of I 
 •"s by John 3 
 OS, of Barrie, | 
 '"i '-^t present 
 n family in i 
 'd, we speak | 
 ii-'id a score ^ 
 'alkerton, is \ 
 
 7^w] with ; 
 
 ofCJiielj)!) ; ■ 
 :o LS()7 as a 
 itiM- renown, 
 
 ith Jjeices- ? 
 V- Ak'Nully, 
 I lieieesters. 
 ;H all the.. 
 •' <ind R. & l 
 idJ)urham | 
 >', also, we 
 <'n take a 
 'Vnd's Two 
 I pedigree, 
 * Province 
 I of Hugh 
 ion to the 
 There 
 iters have 
 
 taken recently to Shropshire sheej), by importing from the Earl of Zetland and 
 Lord Strathmore. Near neighbours and wholesome rivals to the last herd are J. 
 & VV. Watt, of Salem. I knt)\v of no men in Ontario who attain to so much suc- 
 cess so quietly, and what they have done since 180t must be wide ai d deep. To 
 bo Aberdeen Scotch ma}' lie something, but to be practical and thorough may bu 
 more in their bu.-.ino-s. Breeding Shortlioi'ns that can safely (remember safely) lay 
 on plenty of flesh are not [)k'ntiful in this country, and it is well known with 
 these gentlemen that unless a large part of the pedigree is on the back of the ani- 
 mals, ])aper pedigree will not do. They possess a very tine herd, with "Barm])tou 
 Hero" [05!).") I who has swept the prizes of the Province again and again. What 
 more need be said ? Within gunshot of the Watts is Joseph Tiiomson with a I-.ige 
 Hock of Leieesters, and a good name as a beef maker by use of the best Short- 
 horn lilood, where we note the " Bold Buccleugli " in possession. 
 
 Fergus has memorable surroundings, alsu — so many indeed, that I lieg indul- 
 gence for what may be omitted — the Reunics, the Dows, and others; and then to 
 the west the prominent lireeder of — allow me to call tliem — Scotcli Shorthorns, 
 John S. Armstrong, of Speedside, with his clever sons. Mr. Armstrong is certainly 
 the most cunning fatteiier of a steer in our province. By cutniing T mean the 
 knowing everything and not blazing it abroad, as some like to do for the sake of 
 notoriety. To know what a calf will be exactly when three years old, is just 
 what we would all like to attain to. Mr. Armstrong can ilo tliis, can give two 
 thousand dollars for aliuU calf when needed ; the finest iinished steer I have seen 
 in Ontario came from here. He i.as a grand heixl led by " J5utterHy's Duke" 
 [8190], ami a ver}' choice llock of over thiity head of t)xford Downs sheep. Soifth- 
 wards a piece we come to Armstrong's Mills, to Matthias Kirby of this place wo 
 have few e([uals in general knowledge of cattle and sheep; bis Shorthorns are from 
 F. W. Stone's herd, and Cotswolds from tlie Ontario Experimental Farm. He has 
 a (juarter of a century's experience in this country as a breeder of sheep. Down 
 to (iuelph, and among those not already mentioned in another part of Report 
 we have Harold Sorby, a very prominent young leader in Cotswolds and South- 
 downs of tlie Swanwieii, (Jillett, Tombs, Jacolis and Experimental Farm blood — 
 ninety head of such stamps mean a large interest. A gentleman, not much heard 
 of in show circles by rea.son of choice, is John 1, Hobsoii — now of prize farm judg- 
 ing fame — from whose herd of Shorthorns come some of the most fresh and ser- 
 viceable bulls of the district. Eastward we touch E. H. liarclay'.^--, near the Experi- 
 mental farm, a late importer of Ab.n'de(.>«i polls, whose naturally (piiet and safe 
 judgment had been contirmed as a student of the Agricultural College. Another 
 student of this collegi', already making his mark among Southdowns aiiJ Ayr- 
 shires, is the son of Janu\s Anderson, Busruich. We cannot close Wellington 
 county without calling upon Alexander Smith, of Aberfoyle, fairly up in South- 
 downs, and in possession uf " Lord Knightly " i'roni Stouf, and up.on J. B. Bessey 
 & Bros., of Limehouse, where a score of very superior Ayrshire cattle have just 
 been established. 
 
 In Waterloo county we have James Brown, of (ualt, with the " Duke of Sharon, 
 10th " in a small but select herd of Shorthorns, and an unusually large llock of 
 Leicesters. Air. A. B. Snider, of CJerman Mills, has had ten years handling of 
 Shorthorns — taking renewals from the reliable herd uf James Cowan, whose posi- 
 tion has already Iteen noted. 
 
 I feel rather diHident about entering Brant county, which has the honour of 
 counting Bow Park among its stars. The highest compliment lean pay this 
 institution is that itstamls as an establisher of breeders. It is in fact" the Kirk- 
 livington, the Warlaby, the West Dereham Abby, of Canada — indeed of the Ameri- 
 can Continent. Its management is one of the most practical, far-seeing and 
 
2() 
 
 thoroviL;ii chai'acter in tliehiinds of Messrs. Clay & Hope — allliononv to the nienioiy 
 of the Hon. (•( nvo'c Brown, nevertheU^ss. Tlie fjreat lesson of Bow Park to Ontario 
 i.H the aiiu[)taliility ot the country, in healthy conditions, for the most complete de- 
 velopment of England's great stall-feeding cattle — management allowed for, of 
 course — and the lesson to every one is what one animal can do when of the proper ' 
 fitnmp. I have not had tlie pleasure of' eeing " Fourth Duke of Clarence" (33597; 
 for some time, hut, if now as then, England cannot beat him. The substance, the 
 immense r/.'/oi'ou''' substance, with wealth of tiesh, character and quality were to me 
 most remarkable, Bring along tlitx skeptic in blood and pedigree now; in all the 
 possibilities of animal construction as influenced by man, what imagination could 
 build this in a few years — a few years indeed : — the beginnings of this grand ani- 
 mal weiv as patent in 1782 a.s the exist to the eye in 18.S2, and had no stravjht 
 'inc been kejit during these one hundred years there would be no "Fourth Duke of 
 Claren^'u." 
 
 In Halton County we have the energetic Green Brothcre, of Oakville, with 
 Shorthorn " Cavalier " [8214-], from the Dryden lierd, that has been giving excel- 
 lent stock ; and R. B. Ireland, of Nelson, with a large herd of Shorthorns and 
 Lincoln sheep — " Mazurka Duke " [5703] being at present in use. 
 
 In Peel, Hugli Clark, of Brampton, has been among the Jerseys since 1871. 
 York County is still kept up in good old names. The Russells, of Rich- 
 mend Hill, with seven score of the best ('otswoMs England can offer, and a herd 
 of Shorthorns of rare merit, at present led by " British Statesman " [8175] (42847). 
 Twenty years of unflagging Shorthorn breeding have made the Russells a house- 
 hftld word, and the}'^ well deserve it, Mr. Seth Hancock, of Kittleby, patronizes 
 imported Shorthorns, and Southdowns from March, having a large number of 
 each. Then Dr. Morton, of Toronto, (>laims a. visit as a recent breeder of Ayrshire 
 cattle and Southdown sheep. An Ontario leader in Jerseys is William Rolph, of 
 Markham, wdio possesses a herd of two dozen very straight bred animals of the 
 best type of the great creamers, and as many Shropshire Down sheep of recent 
 importations. 
 
 Wellington is strong; Middlesex is not weak ; York can speak, and Ontario 
 C/Ounty is not one whit behind an}' of them — so much field indeed in live stock 
 virtues that the dithculty lies in avoiding otlence giving. In order of age, we no- 
 tice J. S. Thompson, of Whitby, as a breeder of Shorthorns, beginning in 1857, 
 and now in iiossession of " Scarlet Velvet," [7833]. 
 
 In connection with this preliminary effort of mine upon the Herds and Stocks 
 of Ontario, J. I. Davidson, of Balsam, writes me : — " I think it will be valuable, if 
 your time will permit, to do the subject justice, but if you were to give a descrip- 
 tion of them as H. H. Dixon did in Field and Farm you would requii'e to make 
 a personal inspection, and then you would do the breeders and their animals jus- 
 tice." Thanks, Mr. Davidson, and I conveyed your suggestion to the Council of the 
 Agricultural and Arts Association, who highly approved of it, but felt unpi'epared 
 to carry it out this year. Mr. Daviilson goes away back to I860 as a breeder of 
 Shorthorns, and has imported no less than sixty from Aberdeenshire alone, knowing 
 long ago, as the Americans are now realizing, that the Scotch stamp of the Short- 
 horn is better adapted to our continental conditions than the mott of others. 
 Chicago said so during the last Fat Stock Show. Mr. Davidson pays close atten- 
 tion to constitutional vigoiir, and is a thorough, practical and cautious handler of 
 stock cattle for breeding. In 1864, the Drydens, of Brooklin, took a strong posi- 
 tion among Shorthorn men, and have since shown no back-going. John Dryden, 
 M.P.P., as the present proprietor, is firm and clear in all that belongs to such an 
 interest — never doubting, and always reliable. He has of late made an important 
 addition to the herd from Scotland, which now owns " Baron Surmise " [6020] 
 
 \ 
 
27 
 
 111- totlieinemoi-yl 
 Park to Ontario 
 lo.st complete de- 
 al lowed for, of 
 ^n of the proper 
 iarence" (33597) 
 i substance, the 
 ality were to me 
 no}^; in all the 
 lajjination could 
 this grand ani- 
 ad no strmqht 
 fourth Duke of , 
 
 ' Oakville, with | 
 ■n giving excel- ! 
 shorthorns and i 
 
 ^s since 1871. 
 ssells, of Ricii- 
 fer, and a herd 
 .8175] (42847). 
 issells a house- 
 'V> patronizes 
 'ge number of 
 er of Ayrshire 
 lam Rolph, of 
 inimals of the 
 leep of recent 
 
 , and Ontario 
 
 in Jive stock 
 
 )f age, we no- 
 
 ning in 1857, 
 
 ^s and Stocks 
 '6 valuable, if 
 yo a descrip- 
 '"re to make 
 animals jus- 
 >uncilof the 
 ' unprepared 
 a breeder of 
 ne, knowing 
 f the Short- 
 »t of others, 
 close atten- 
 handler of 
 strong posi- 
 hn Dryden, 
 to such an 
 I important 
 ise " [(JG20j 
 
 '-■3 
 
 28885. One of tlie largest, if not the largest, flock of Shropshire Down sheep is in 
 Mr. Dryden's hands. In our previous notice of Mr. Guy's exhibition no mention 
 wa.s made of his flock of Leicesters and Southdowns. i\s a sheep breeder ho dates 
 back to 1SG2, and to 18G4 in Ayrshire cattle. Arthur Johnston, of Greenwood, is 
 certainly one of our most enterprising importers and breclers. Johnston and 
 Cotswolds is now an old story, and his present flock of 120 is in high repute both 
 in the States and Canada ; these are of Gillett, Kilkenny ami Farringdon blood. 
 Mr. Johnston lias also a large herd of Shorthorns. James Miller, of Brougham, 
 has not favoured nie with a return of his herd, and therefore I cannot refer dis- 
 tinctly to age and numbers, but the Millers held no second jilace in Ontario records 
 in breeding and feeding of Shorthorns, and 1 find many of our best breeders I'efer- 
 ring back to them as having stnrted herds. At Ashburn, Wm. Heron ^' Son hold 
 a more than average herd of (S'liorthorns under " 2nd Piince of Springwood " 
 [5978j,and this was established from the Miller herd in LSGS. The Messrs, Heron 
 are recent importers of Shro])shires from the Earl of Strathmoi'e, Scotland. An- 
 other of the lirougham credits is the lierd of James Graham, Port Perry, datin<" 
 from 1871, and a Gotswold flock that cannot but stand high undei- such names as 
 Tombs, Miller, Johnston, and Hoilgson. We have, in closing Ontario county, a 
 record of Hereford cattle in the herds of R. J. Mackie, of Osliawa, who took his first 
 draft from F. W. Stone, of Guelph, in 1874, and subsequently, on two occasions, 
 from the Ontario E.\ peri mental Farm. The stock bull here, "Duke of Aigj'le," 
 an animal of particular quality, is from the latter place. 
 
 Durham and Victoria counties have not tempted me to say much, but, of 
 course, the material maybe there nevertheless. Mr. John Dix, of Little IJritain, 
 stands well in numbers of Shorthoin and Leicesters. 
 
 Peterborough can also tell of twenly years experience in Shorthorn and Lei- 
 cesters — a herd of sixteen and a tluck of fifty head liclonging to Henry Collins, 
 Warden of the county. 
 
 In Northumberland, T have pleasure in mentioning John Isaac, of Bomanton, 
 with over twenty head of Abei'deenshire Shorthorns. 
 
 H. B. Rathbun & S(m evidently make the co'.iity of Hastings their own in 
 Shorthorns and Jei'seys. 
 
 Joseph Youill, of Carleton Place, County Lanark, can not only count over 
 thirty-five Ayrshii'e cattle, but is siill in possession of " Currick Lad " [58], winner 
 of the Gold Medal, at Philadelphia, hi 187G. There is a large flock of Leicesters 
 here. 
 
 For twenty years, Wm. Rodden, of Plantagenet, Prescott county, has been a 
 breeder of Ayrshires by direct importations, as also from the Dawes, of Lachine, 
 and SirW. Logan — now a very handsome herd of Scotland's heavy milkers. Mr. 
 Rodden also patronizes Leicesters. He holds special and general awards from 
 1876, Philadelphia. 
 
 One touch of Glengarry, in the case of R. R, Sangster, of Lancaster, a breeder 
 of Shorthoins and Leicesters, and we shall return to the west. 
 
 Norfolk Model Farm has not .sent me a return — thinking, mavbe, that Messrs. 
 Hobson & Drury said enough in their report to you on prize farms. Mi-. Carpen- 
 ter is entitled to all you have heard of his establishment. H. Glagebrook,of Sim- 
 coe, is another of Norfolk's .smart men — keen "'\d enterprising, and, though a re- 
 cent settler, is investing heaitily in Shorth v- Ayr.shires_ and Leicesters. He 
 prefers Bow Park and Experimental Farm b 
 
 Oxford county has many good men, and gouU herds and flocks. F. W. Dub- 
 Ine, of Tilsonbtng, can show many fine Leicesters, and a few Shorthorn cattle, 
 dating from 1871. William Donaldson, of South Zorra, is a modern sheep fancier, 
 liaving a very handsome collection of the Shrop.shire from ^liller & Beattie, and 
 
28 
 
 — '■ 
 
 over a score of Shorthorns, with " Fancy Prince 2rul " [8557] in commantl. The 
 Eastwood herd and flock are of themselves a big tiling for Oxford and the Pro- 
 vince. Mr. Pattison is a good Judge of cattle and sheep, not to speak of horses — 
 a fact not always following a writer and half city resident. His catalogue is evi- 
 dence of careful work among Shorthorn, and many of his animals could stand be- 
 side the best we see at our principal exhibitions. Mr. Patteson is also a believer 
 in Shrops, having, I think, the largest flock in the Province — over one hundred 
 head. He likes their hardiness, their class of wool, and their power of producing 
 quality of mutto nupon the common ewes of the country. 
 
 Should we cut a niche in the post at finding Ayrshires in Oxford ? They are 
 certainly outside of theii' warm ground, as told by the accompanying map. Mr. 
 Thos. Nichol, of Plattsville, has a few, but is more prominent in Leicester sheep. 
 Robert William.^on, of Tngersoll, has " Tam O'Shanter" from James Cowan, of 
 Gait, a Shorthorn bull that should siut dair}'men as against other strains. 
 
 The county of Perth can also quote Ayrshire to one considerable extent at 
 least, as found with Michael Ballantyne, of St. Mary's, and George Rock, of Mit- 
 chell, holds a very handsome number of Shorthorns and Leicesters. 
 
 We have variety in Elgin county. Shorthorns with Archibald Brown, of 
 lona, who uses " Baron Constance," 87563, from J. Gibson, of Ilderton, and Leices- 
 ters from Simon Beattie, the well-known importer. William Woodham, of St. 
 Thomas, ia one of the few patronizers of Lincoln sheep, and Rock Bailey, of Union, 
 is as special, in possessing over two hundred head of what he. calls American Me- 
 rino. 1 should like very much to have a thorough examination of those sheep, in 
 order to ascertain whether, under Ontaiio conditions, there is much money with 
 them as by any of our Downs. 
 
 Monck has one breeder at any-rate, and a good one — John Jackson, of Abing- 
 don, with a few Shorthorns, is an old breeder of Southdowns. Beginning in 18tj2 
 with drafts from Shepherd, Renton, and Ash, he is now deep in imported mate- 
 rial from Sandringham, and Henry Webb, of England, and should be second to 
 nothing in Ontario. 
 
 Bothwell, per John Blue, of Duart, ia a breeder of Ayrshire cattle, evidently 
 under judicious management, where also is a small flock of Southdowns. 
 
 In Lambton, the Cotswold sheep have an unusually old patron. Henry Mc- 
 Gurk, of Colinville, began those long wools in 1856, from F. Dorchester, of Middle- 
 sex, and is now up to time with others from the Snells of Brampton. 
 
 Far west in Essex we come upon a choice herd of Shorthorns belonging to S. 
 White, of Windsor, with the " Gth J )uke of Vinewood," 32444, a pure Bates bull. 
 
 Middlesex, if true to name, should bo field agriculture and not so nmch live 
 stock — garden more than grazing — by Engli.sh type. But time may lie wanting. 
 Precedence by age gives us a start with J. S. Smith, of Maple Lodge. In 1854 he 
 had England's early maturer of mutton, and can speak of families from Miller. 
 Beattie, Smith, of Edmonston,and P.itty.of Ilenscll, and also of Parkin.son, Guel[)h, 
 " Sixth Earl of Goodness," [M515] 32521), and thirty females must make a Short- 
 horn herd of some worth, and altogether a farm of an interesting kind. James 
 Graham, of Ailsa Craig, has Lincoln and Shorthorn of 18C5 and 18G0, respectively. 
 The stock bull is " Elvina's Oxford," 387G8, and ram from John Henderson, of 
 Lobo. In 18GG, Richard Eady, of Granton, started a flock of Lincolns, and still 
 believes in England's heaviest mutton. We have apparently in this county, the 
 centre of Lincoln belief, as again Thos. Nicholson k Sous, of Sylvan, patronize to 
 A very considerable extent, along with Bow Park Shorthorns, both of seventeen 
 years standing. An energetic and business farmer is E. J. Yorke, of Wardsville. 
 Beginning in 18G9 he took to what is now the Ontario tax-payer in wool and 
 
 M 
 
\ 
 
 29 
 
 iommand. The 
 ■cl and tlie Pro- 
 sak of horses — 
 atalogue is evi- 
 could stand be- 
 also a believer 
 er one hundred 
 r of producing 
 
 rd ? The J are 
 
 ■ng map. Mr. 
 
 eicester sheep. 
 
 nes Cowan, of 
 
 ■ains. 
 
 ibie extent at 
 
 liock, of Mit- 
 
 ild Brown, of 
 n, and Leicca- 
 odliam, of St. 
 ]ey, of Union, 
 ^-inerican Me- 
 hose sheep, in 
 nionej with 
 
 ion, of Abing- 
 ning in 1802 
 ported niate- 
 je second to 
 
 e, evidently 
 ns. 
 Henry Mc- 
 r, of Middle- 
 
 onging to S. 
 iatcs bull. 
 much live 
 le wanting. 
 In ] 8.54 he 
 lom Miller, 
 ion, Guolj)h, 
 ce a Short- 
 id. James 
 ?spoctivelj. 
 iderson, of 
 •s, and still 
 ounty, the 
 itronize to ' 
 
 seventeen 
 Vardsville. 
 
 wool and 
 
 il,ntton — the Southdown — choosing in these days from the Rev. J. T. Wright and 
 4. E. Irking, an«l now the Ontario Experimental Farm. Eight }cars afterwards 
 lir. Yorke established a herd of shorthorns, and still holds a few animals. 
 
 One of our far-seeing and active ])roiessional buyers and sellers lives at a 
 fjace called llderton, Middlesex. Well-known in England and the United L'tates 
 Richard Gibson has a fine eye for quality and character among all his Shorthorn 
 lansactions, and though a young man, comparatively, has done a great deal for 
 ir national status thus-wise. Uc is one of those who does one thing well — cat- 
 alone, not shee|) also. Judge Morgan it Sons, of Kerwood, are among the Cots- 
 folds and Durhams also, and piize takers at your 18S1 exhibition. Shorthorns 
 ipear t'» be in good repute with C. A. O'Malley at Wardsville, where over thirty 
 ■ad, with other valunlile stock, make up an interesting exhibit. " Mazurka 
 'ukc " [5703], 1(5.523, is at present in use. 
 
 We make a particularly good closing for the west wich the Geary Bros., ot 
 london, whose exhibit reminds us, in a measure, of that of Mr. Whitfield, Quebec, 
 berdeen Pulls, Ilorefords, Lincolns, and Shrops — in all 316 head. The Polls are 
 •om herds of well-known Scotch inerit — Ballindalloch, and Gavenwood ; the 
 orefords from C. B. Littlewood, W, Meredith, and. E. Instone, of England. It 
 ust be the wish of every patriotic Canadian that the cnterpriso of these gentlo- 
 ^len be responded to on the |)art of our own people, and that we hear less than we 
 Bave done of such valuable stock leaving the country. 
 
 We have yet some notices to overtake in the midland-south portions of the 
 |*rovince, and these very britHy. 
 
 C. S. Messacar, of Scotland, Brant, is not only a breeder of Herefords, as al- 
 [eady stated, but possesses a large and important herd of Shorthorns, and flocks of 
 icicesters and Southdowns. Daniel Perley, of Paris, goes back to 1852 with fi 
 liirge Hock of Southdown of English "Webb" and Stone, Guelph, pedigree. Wo 
 took note of Wm. Douglass, of Onondaga, and novv make his herd of Shorthorns 
 up to seventy as begun in 1855, and a Leicester flock of six score that was started 
 in 184(). " Earl of Goodness 5th,'" [8514] 32519, from Bow Park is now the stock 
 bull. Mr. V. W. Smith, of Scotland, though recently among the Herefords has 
 Jhot left the Shorthorn.i. Thos. fehaw, of Woodburn, a gentleman otherwise of 
 growing importance among cattlemen, holds " Prince Hopewell " [7<i5(>], among a 
 |clect number of Shorthorn cows, and has besides a large flock of Leicesters. An 
 jAyrshire herd, with services from Guy, of Oshawa, belongs to C. W. Ware, of 
 Jiauiilton, — twenty head in two years is a handsome begiiniing. Otherwise, the 
 .jtounty of Wentworth is strong in Ayrshire, and much could be said of the excel- 
 jleut herds belonging to J;imes McCoi'miok, of Rockton ; Josc])h Cline, of Hamil- 
 ton, and John Carroll, of St. Catharines. St, Catherines has William Ash, old, as 
 |)revious]y mentioned, in sheep work, and Frank Wyatt, with Durhams, Leicesters, 
 K'otswolds, and Southdowns. 
 
 JPRESENT rOSITION O:' ONTARIO IN REGARD TO THOROUGII-nRED CATTLE AND SHEEP. 
 
 j It is not a matter of doubt, in any country, civilized or otherwise, that its 
 flive stock interest should be fifty per cent, of its agriculture. Take an average ot 
 |the extremes of age, population and wealth, as existing at the ) esent moment, in 
 stbe case of Britain and Canada. Every day of her life, for the .ast tenyears, Eng- 
 |land has been educating farmers to the fact that, even in their comparatively very 
 isniall area, more attention must be jiaid to the production of beef and nmtton than 
 Ito grain. This is not by any means the natural issue of what is called their bad 
 Itimes, but purely a line of work recognized by their best men as indispensable to 
 
so 
 
 progress, as well as more indepeiulence. Of course, in this instance, independeni 
 implies a self-defence, by producing within themselves, as much a^ possible, of thi 
 main neccssaricH of life. 
 
 The present position of Ontario, in this relation, is peculiar : She imports pur^ 
 breeds from other countries ; some of these are retained, others are handed over t 
 our neighbours and even a few are returned to their original source ; those that ai'i/ 
 retained are not widely scattered within the Province, but largely in sections, ant 
 in the hands of a few. It is plain, tlien, that the country is not yet fully awake t( 
 lier duty in this fifty percent. By fifty per cent. I mean this: Ontario plough 
 — under rotation of crops — 10,000,000 acres, on which, for the ordinary purpose. 
 of cultivgtion, including implements, horses, and common cows, there is an invest 
 ment of only $20 per acre. There are sixty per cent, of our farmers —not includ J 
 ing those still building homos in newer townships — who take no interest in ini s 
 proved livestock, who are content with the good living they do make by growing, 4 
 and selling grain and fodder, and consequently their actual investment in the laniil 
 is comparatively little — little, in comparison to those who maintain cattle an( | 
 sheep, fur the jnirpose of conserving the crops, maintaining fertility, and securing | 
 extra profits. These $20 per acre should just be doubled by investment in livf'| 
 stock by those, as we have .said, who have had time to settle down to national du- | 
 ties — the duty of conserving all our energies towards progress and permanency. ;| 
 The number of such farmers in our Province is at least 50,000, or one-half, who | 
 hold au averaixe of 150 acres each under cultivation, — three-fourths of the whol, '\ 
 cultivated area. 
 
 By the recent work of our Bureau of Industries, we are now in possession of 
 what is undoubtedly very correct, as regards /o^((^ in number of live stock. Foi.„ 
 Scilce of reference, take the following, from August returns of the present year : i 
 
 Cattle : 
 
 Common milch cows «)S0,fi52 
 
 Working oxen 14,245 
 
 694,897 
 Other cattle, young calves, kc 017,001 
 
 l,311,8:uS 
 Store cattle, over two years 27i,8Gl 
 
 1,584,759 
 Pure breeds 23,297 
 
 Total Cattle in Province 1,008,05(1 
 
 Sheep : 
 
 Total 1,942,780 
 
 I see no reason to doubt the total numbers of cattle and sheep, but there 
 is no such number as 23,000 thoroughbred cattle in Ontario. From the returns 
 obtained by myself — making a specialty of the case — there are evidently not more 
 than 13,000. It is well known that farmers are very inaccurate — not purposely 
 — in distinguishing exactly between a high graded animal and a thoroughbred, so 
 tliat the official statistics cannot be held responsible for the distinction. 
 
 (■ 
 <• 
 
 ol 
 n| 
 
 hi 
 vl 
 
 k 
 
 & 
 
 a 
 
 b 
 
 tl 
 
 I ^ 
 
 'i 
 
 : ri 
 ] C 
 I a 
 
 
 
•"> 1 
 
 ce, independent 
 ^possible, of tlil 
 
 ihe imports pur, 
 handed over U 
 
 3 ; those that a: 
 in sections, ant 
 
 t fully awjike h 
 
 Ontario ploufrh 
 r 
 uinary purposci 
 
 ere is an invest 
 
 ers— not inchul 
 
 3 interest in ini -^ 
 
 ake b}- i^rowin^ f 
 
 iient in the lanr ' 
 
 itain cattle aiK ] 
 
 :y, and securing' I 
 
 estnient in livt 
 
 to national du- j 
 
 lid pernianencv. 
 
 >r one-halt, who 
 
 lis of the M'holr ■ 
 
 in possession of^ 
 ive stock. Fois 
 esent year : 
 
 0,fi52 
 4,245 
 
 4,8!)7 
 7,001 
 
 1,8:. 8 
 2,8Gl 
 
 •,7",!) 
 1-297 
 
 s,o.)(; 
 
 :,780 
 
 ccp, but there 
 I the returns 
 itly not more 
 lot purposely 
 ■oughbred, so 
 ■)n. 
 
 Now, with these and my own fi:,aires, how does the Province stand ? Ten 
 million acres jj^rowini;- food for man and beast ; possibly one hundred thousand 
 farms holding 1,()08,0()0 ca*tle, and say 2,000,000 sheep, of all kin<ls. Actually, 
 then, 16 heail of cattle per farm of 100 acres ; a vciy hands(jme representation 
 indeed ; most creditabre to the country, because most other countries think them- 
 selves well when showing one cattle beast to eveiy ten acres. 
 
 We start with the imjiortant and comfortable fact that, Ontario is well up in 
 numbers of common cattle; that she has all the tield required for beef and milk; 
 liut field is one thing, purity to give value is another, an<l an indispen.sablc one. 
 How many of the 272,000 store cattle, over two years old, now on hand, hold one 
 cross of a thoroughbred bull of any kind ? — not one-tenth of them. At the pres- 
 ent moment there are, certainly, not 1,500 pure bred bulls in the whole land, or 
 one to every 7,000 acres, or among fifty farmers. Is this private interest and 
 national duty ? Is it not asad retlection on our enterprise that, for every 1,000 
 head of grade cattle we possess, but one pure bred, male or female, and that a 
 very large proportion of these are allowed to be drafted out of the Province. 
 
 Altogether, therefore, the 50,000 farmers, who should be in possession ui' 
 improved stock, to an additional, let us say SIO in place of $20 per acre, are 
 keeping back the Province to a serious extent — an annual interest equal Uy 
 ^6,000,000. 
 
 Other countries will be particularly surprised at the great disproportion be- 
 tween the cattle and sheep of Ontario. For any country to have nearly as many 
 cattle as sheep, is unusual, indeed so much so, that it may be questioned whether 
 another example like ours can be found. I submitted reasons for this, in my ad- 
 dress at j'our annual meeting, iri Kingston, in these words ; " A forest country, an 
 arable counviy, a grain-growing one, oxen for working, cows for milk, and the 
 greater suitability of beef for human food, and for winter keep." 
 
 But, we are no longer babies in any of the science and {practice of farming, 
 and Ontario must be up and doing, in legard to mutton and wool, as much as in 
 beef and grain. To be well up does not mean many, or any, more connuon sheep 
 than now on hand, because there are about 20 head to each farm of 100 acres. 
 With these as a base of operations, by use of the proper kinds of thoroughbred 
 rams there is a wide enough field ; but what agencies have we for such a puipose? 
 Only 2,000 rams and 7,000 ewes pure bred of all classes, and some of the classes 
 are not wanted ; but grant these, and we have one ram to every fifty farmers ; 
 one to every thousand grade ewes. This gives us a painful idea of the utter un- 
 concern of t)ur people. 
 
 I have the honor to bo, gentlemen, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 W. LPtC WiN". 
 
 Ontario AraucuLTTRAL Collegf, 
 
 November, 1882.