THE SHORTHORN.

Manawatu Herald, 8 January 1889, Page 2

THE SHORTHORN.

Until the beginning dftbia century, the Longhorn of some ki ad or another was considered the farmer's friend. Under the local name of "Tees water's " the shorthorns had got a strong hold in Durham several years before 1800, and the travelling of the bull " The Durham Ox " in 1801 and five following years, was what virtually sea-led the doom of the Longhorns. The Teeswater were cattle of great substance, but somewhatungainly in form, and were thought to give less but richer milk than the | Holderness. These Holderness were a fine, large framed breed, with good backs, long quarters, remarkably clean, straight legs, and well developed udders, grazed in the district north of the Huinber, and owing to their appearance and proximity to Hull, were thought to be of Dutch origin. Milk was their speciality. The Holderness and Teeswater cattle bore strong affinity in character. The fragments of history on which their origin rests are somewhat shadowy and uncertain. Some believed that their tap root instead of being Dutch, was to be found in the West Highlands, or that the earlier breeders always fell back ou its bulls fur a cross if they thought that their herd was losing constitution. The admirers of the " Princess " make good their claims of long descent as far back as 1739, on Stephenson's farm at Ketton ; and it is also said that the ancestress of the " Duchesses" roamed in Park two hundred years ago, and that none of the tribe had been out of the Northumberland family until Charles Colling bought them. Be this as it may. the most patient search has not had the effect of tracing the breed farther back than four crosses beyond " Hubback " (819) who was ca'vtd in 1777.

The " Abraham of Shorthorns " was the red and white Studley bull (626) bred by Sharter of Chiiton, the founder of the Gwynne or '• Princess" tribe, and James Brown's red bull (97), and Jolly's bull (837) are very early names on the roll. Seventeen or eighteen crosses separate the " Duchesses " from the one, and the Maynard and Mason tribes are in direct descent from the other. In 1822 only 710 bulk were registered. The gerni of this array must have been considered an ''improved" county breed as far back as 1787. Hutchinson of Sockburn had a cow that had beaten Robert Colling in a bull class. The " Lizzies " were with Charge of Newton, aud Rose's and Fisher's stock can be trace! to Cornforth of Bar forth. Robeit Colling had 6et his seal to Hill of Black wel.'s herd, and nearly all the best men were dippiug into the blood of Milbank of Barningham. It was from his sort that there sprang the " old yellow cow by " Punch," which was the granddam of " the white heifer that travelled." The Maynards were also accustomed to pitch eight bullocks and heifers in Darlington market, on the first Monday in March, as a sample of the Eryholme pastures. Maynard 's "Favorite" tribe was very early in repute, and Charles Colling (who had previously picked up his " Cherry " or " Peeress" tribe in Yarua market) nevtr rested till he had bought the cow and ber calt, " Y^ung Strawberry " by Charge's "Dafbon Duke (188). He then changed the cow's name to " Lady Maynard," and it was upon her tribe that he used the Galloway or " alloy blood," through Grandson ; of" Bolingbroka " (280), which made the highest average in its hour of trial at Ketton. Her descendants were nlso crossed most successfully with " Foljambe " (268) the sire of i "Phoenix "the dam of the bull " Favourite " (252)*<6h0 was in his j turn tho sire of the thousand-guinea 11 Comet " (155). " Hubback" (319 has a'w.ivrf heon considered the great regenerator of Shorthorns ; but he did no! d<» Charles Calling so much ■,'ood a» "Foljambe," who was from a •' Flubb clc" cow, and he was soon parted with. (To be continued).