Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

42 CATTLE.
has been, that the breeds of some of these Islands now bear the highest
price among the Highland cattle.
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WEST HIGHLAND BULL OF TUB ISLES.
In a group of islands, extending nearly two hundred miles from
north to south, there will be considerable difference in the character
and value of the breed ; but through the whole of them the striking
peculiarities of the Highland cattle are evident. The principal difference
is in the size, and in that the cattle of the southernmost island,
Islay, claim the superiority. This island is sheltered by its situation
from the storms to which most of the others are exposed, and the
pasturage is better ; the cattle are earlier ready for the market, and
attain a greater weight. This increase of size would not be of advantage
on the northern islands, or even on the mainland—the cattle,
deprived of a portion of their hardihood, would not be proof against
the inclemency of the weather, and would starve on such scanty
forage as the Highlands in general supply. Breeders are so much
aware of this, that they endeavor to preserve the purity and value of
their stock, by selecting, not from the districts where the size has
increased, but, by almost general consent, from the Isle of Skye,
where the cattle are small, but are suited to the soil and to tlw climate ;
and can be most easily and securely raised at the least expense ; and,
when removed to better provender, will thrive with a rapidity almost
incredible.
The origin of the term Kyloe is obscure, but is said to be a cor-