movement
of the cattle, and as instantly heading it. The rush is made, and again
defeated, though with difficulty, and the cattle are at length safely
enclosed, but not before the horses and riders are one mass of mud,
arising as much from dust and perspiration as from any other cause.
The
branding is effected in a cruel manner. The animal is ncosed, and
dragged to a part of the stock-yard near where a large fire has been
kindled; he is then immoveably fixed, and a red-hot iron, the mark of
the owner, is placed on his body, and there kept till the brand has
burned completely through the hide, when the beast is loosed, to cany
with him the remembrance of his sufferings till the next visit to the
stock-yard. He is, however, then only a spectator of the sufferings of
others, as his own mark is indelible. His repugnance to muster-days is
scarcely to be wondered at.
A
cattle station, on a remunerative scale, is a more expensive affair
than a sheep station. The stock-yards have to be constructed of
stronger materials, and of a more durable character. The expenditure
before any adequate return is also much greater. Few people emigrating
from England, and inexperienced in the management of colonial cattle,
would be likely to take upon themselves such a charge at first, whilst
any intelligent person would be fully equal, in a short time, to manage
a flock of sheep. We will, however, give a general view of a cattle
station.
The
first herd, which is to lay the foundation of a grazing farm, should
consist of cattle of all ages—cows, heifers, bullocks, steers, and
calves, in about equal proportions. If cows and heifers alone are
bought, three or four years must elapse before the increase of the herd
is available, and beasts would have to be bought both for the purposes
of draught and food. From three to five hundred of a mixed herd is
considered sufficient for a start. A good herd of five hundred would
cost, say, from 1,200/. to l,500t. and would require a good bull to
every fifty cows and heifers. The cost of a superior bull would be 10l.
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