SUSSEX CATTLE.

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 66, 1 October 1872, Page 2

SUSSEX CATTLE.

By A. Hk.vsxiax, Angmering, Arundol. (From Tub Field.) J Thk origin an 1 date of J he. Slhsox cattle may be a I mutter of uiuvrtamty. Was Willitnn of Norman ly attr.u-tcd by the Hue oxen gracing in the rich marshes of Pevensey, or did ho import them ? It is generally understood they date, back to the time of the Conquest, and it is well known that Pevensey and the I surrounding district has- always boon their principal home. Tbis useful class of stock was formerly bred principally for drought purposes, being converted into food for the public- after they had cultivated the soil of the Weald of Sussex and Kent—some of the heaviest tilled la:id in the kingdom,—and at times being required to- start the heavy carriage of the county member from the .same muddy district, when it was necessary for him to a:tend to his parliamentary duties, before locomotive power came into operation or the Highway Act had been amended. Even in those early days the .Sussex cattle were fully appreciated, and, always possessing the finest quality of flesh, were never neglected by the grazier. When they ha.l been worked for suveralyears, and age nt last rendered it necessary that they should bo drafted from-the. tea-n, the farmeri of the western, part of the country would pay a visit to their brothers in the east; attend the fairs held at Battle, Lewes, or on the borders of Kent, in order to buy up the aged oxen : and after grazing them a year, supply the market with animals weighing from one hundred and eighty to two hundred stone. Times have very much altered, and the Sussex beasts are no longer what they were, neither are they reared to the same extent or for the same purpuso. they have given place to horse and st cam power, and take up their position as one of the useful and established breeds of the kingdom to meet the pressing and increasing demand for beef. Their colour was formerly both light and dark red—in some instances so dark that it almost amounted to black ; but the intermediate or cherry colour is now the favourite, denoting good flesh and better qualify for fattening. The breed has been too well appreciated by the tenant, farmer to be allowed to die out, and great pains nii'.l attention have been taken■ latterly in en--deaA'ouring to alter the stylo and type by broodingfrom the smallest bone with the greatest amount of" flesh; this seems to have been successful when we compare the present animals with what may be called the old-fashioned sort, one of which was fattened many years ago at Burton Park, near Petworth, and culled the Burton ox. A porfnvt of this animal was dedicated to the gentlemen of the county of .Sussex by Mr Spilsbury, of Midhurst; its height was Iβ£■ hands, and it measured Bft from the back of the horns

to the tail; from hip bone to hip bone, across the back, 2ft Bin; the depth of the shoulder, 4ft 7in;-. girth behind the shoulder, 10ft; and it weighed 287 st 41b. Although this was considered a wonderful animal at the time, the meat was not in (lie right place; its bone was enormous, its back rib shallow inroad of deep, with a spare thigh and small twist, and it was not to compare with the class of cattlo now exhibited, saving in the matter of weight, which has always been a great feature in the breed. The Sussex cattle are second to none as regards early maturity and weight for age; this is proved by tli'o weights of the animals s'lown at the Smithfiolddub meetings. The Sussex are great favourites with the butcher and consumer. At three years old well-fed steers will weigh from twelve to fourteen score pounds per quarter. Their general features may be described as follows: Nose t )lerably wide; muzzle of a golden colour, thin between the nostril and eye; eye rather prominent; the forehead rather wide"; neck not too long; side* straight, and not coarse at the point of the shoulder; wide and open at the breast, which should project forward; girth deep; legs not toolong; chine bone straight"; ribs broad; loin full of flesh and wide; hip bones not too Inrge, but well'

covered; rump flat and long; tail should drop perpendicular; thigh flat outside and full in; coat soft., and silky, wil.h a mellow touch. Tlio Sussex cross well with any breed, by using the male animal imparting substance and firmness of flesh ; colour of the offspring is generally red. They are of themselves a hardy breed, and have been found to surpass all others in the poorest pastures of their native county. The cows are not good milkers ; those with the heaviest flesh are the worst-, but produce sufficient to rear their calf. The most successful wsiy of breeding is to calve them down in October and Xovember, let them have their own calf through I ho winter, which can be weaned in the spring, and another calf put to the cow. If managed m this way, each cow will rear two calves, and the number of barrens be greatly diminished, which is one of thegreatest evils when cows are allowed to drop their calves all the year round. Great credit is due to Mr. Edward Cane, of Berwick's Court, for the energy he has displayed in the improvement of the breed. Mr Cane at one time was one of the largest breeders, and always ready to give a good price for the best cow brought to the hammer. He was, however, very unfortunate with his yearling, and, after losing a great manv, was induced to sell off his herd. A cow purchased at this sale produced one of the best steer specimens of the breed, which was in 1867 exhibited at Smith field, obtained the first prize in its class, and was one of the most formidable competitors for the cup, finally awarded to Mr Crombie's celebrated Black Prince. In the report of the show published in The Field of Dec. 14, 18G7,. this animal is thus alluded to : "The older class of steers contains eight entries, and is decidedly good,

Messrs Feasman's entry being probably their chef' d'eeuvre ; so good that it remained out a long timecompeting with Mr Foljambe's steer as eeoond-be«t male." And again: " The Duke of Southerland's very smart, level, and well-fed young shorthorn was much fancied for second place ; but he gave way to one of the best Sussex steers yet shown." Mr Cane was the first to introduce the Sussex cattle to the notice of the Smithfield Club, and from that time much improvement has taken place. The Smithfield

Club have been very liberal in tlieir support of offering good prizes, the result of which is that the-classes are well filled, and the breed year by year becomes a more prominent feature in the Christmas gatherings. The breeders will be glad to find that at the next meeting they will be put on equal terms with the established breed?. This alteration will be of great advantage, as it will let in the autumn-bred calves These calves are usually the best, and have hitherto been excluded.

The Royal Agricultural Society might have been expected to hold out a helping hand to an improving breed; but, contrary to this, they have taken from their list the few small prizes once offered. The Southern Counties Association, on the other hand, are amcious to promote the breed, and give good prizes, for which they were rewarded last year at Gruildford by having a larze collection. The Sussex men do not feel inclined to spoil their best animals by over-feeding. The Public Herd Book of Sussex Stock (without which no breed is perfect) has been established about fifteen years, and' promises to be of great assistance.. Each year it becomes of more importance, and as pedigree increases it will enable breeders to select a cross with a degree of certainty which has hitherto been a difficulty. It will also "help the sales. The public are thereby assured of the pedigree of the stock they purchase, instead of having to rely on thestatement of the vendor,. The book at the present.

time, numbers one hundred and Heventy-six bulls, and ()ii(s thousand two hundred find eighty cows, ft is also it chronicle of all pedigree prize animals, and records the names of the following breeders, who have ginned honours uL the Royal Agricultural, Southern Counties or Sussex, and Kent County Shows, viz. : — the K;!V. J. Mould, of Bui-wash; Mr 11. Hughes, of Woodgat.c; MrTilden Smith, of Bccklcy; Mr Thoma« Child, of Slindfohl; Mr (Jr. Jeriner, of Udimore; Mr R. Jlawos, of Wustham; Mr Thomas Bass, Messrs ■f. mid A. Heart: -.law, Mr J. Verrull, Mr J. S. Turner, Mr Man;hall, of liolney; Mr William Hotting, Mr J/. Tupjicr, Ml' JO. (Jam, Mr (}. Coote, Mr R. 11. Burgess, of Robert.jbridgc; Mr J. Stonehum, Mr J. Blcncow, and Mr A. Agate, of Horsham. The priecu realised by the choicest Sussex cattle generally vary from 30 to 80 guineas; the latter price wan given for Home wold at, the late Mr (jotting's .sale at VVcstuieston lust September; while we hear of Mr A. Agal.e, of Horsham, selling his five two-year-old heifers I,his spring at GO guineas each, all of which are pedigree animals.