Kerry cows are extremely hardy; and
although very active, they are very gen
tle and do well when tethered on confined
bits of grass. Although in their natural
condition they have picked up a scanty
livelihood for generations on thin, hilly,
pastures, they generously pay for good
feed, and thrive well when kept constant
ly house fed. Attempts hare been made
to cross the Kerry with the kindred West
Highland breed, the Devon, Ayrshire and
Holstein, but the results have not been
satisfactory, but when a Kerry cow is put
to a good shorthorn bull, the produce
possess great aptitude to fatten, with su
perior quality of flesh, and great weight
of carcass. Youatt says Kerry cows fat
ten rapidly when required, and this is
true when they have been kept, like other
breeds, on fair pasture; but poor Kerries
especially bullocks, when obtained direct
ly from their native mountain pastures
take some time before they begin to
show improvement. But once they be
gin their progress is rapid, and when
slaughtered their flesh is of prime quali
ty—fine in the grain and well flavored.
Their weights when fat are from 300 to
500 pounds, though extra fed beasts will
turn the scales at 5!)0 pounds.
In the mountain districts of Ireland,
where the land is poor and cold, and the
herbage scant the Kerry is and must re
main, the best breed, and in richer dis
tricts also she has lately been introduced,
not for fancy purposes, but for her genu
ine merits in the dairy. Several small
importations have been made to this
country, and doubtless the Kerry cow
would be quite profitable in sections
where the conditions are similar to those
in which she is profitable in her native
country.
More Food.
Country Gentleman.
