Robert Bakewell and the longhorn breed of cattle: beginnings of British livestock breeding

Robert Bakewell was the man who pioneered livestock breeding in the 18th century, and he is remembered especially for his work with Leicester sheep and Longhorn cattle. This book covers Bakewell's background, struggles and successes. It also discusses his legacy, as the Longhorn story did not end with him. After a burst of popularity in the hands of Bakewell and his followers, the breed fell into a decline until the late 19th century. Interest in it is on the rise again, and this book marking the bicentenary of Bakewell's death is a tribute to the breed and all those who have been concerned with it. Pat Stanley breeds prize-winning Longhorns in Leicestershire near the site of Bakewell's home, and she has been researching this book for a number of years. - Acknowledgments - Introduction, by C. David Edgar Part One: Robert Bakewell of Dishley Grange 1. Chapter 1: Robert Bakewell, Farmer and Innovator 2. Chapter 2: Bakewell and the New Leicester Sheep 3. Chapter 3: Ram Letting and the Dishley Society -- Objections to the Dishley sheep -- Bakewell's experiments 4. Chapter 4: Old Lincoln v. New Leicester 5. Chapter 5: Bakewell's Legacy -- Leicestershire Agricultural Society -- Bakewell the teacher Part Two: The Story of the Longhorn 6. Chapter 6: Longhorns Before Bakewell -- The early improvers -- Letting out sires -- Longhorns in Ireland 7. Chapter 7: The Art of Breeding -- Robert Bakewell's Longhorns 8. Chapter 8: Breeders After Bakewell -- Robert Fowler -- Thomas Paget -- Mr Thomas Prinsep of Croxall -- Richard Astley of Odstone Hall 9. Chapter 9: The Chapman Family of Nuneaton 10. Chapter 10: The Revivalists -- Mr R. Brown of the Old Manor House, Farewell -- The Calke Abbey Estate -- Sir John Harpur-Crewe and his Longhorns -- The Duke of Buckingham's Longhorns at Stowe Park 11. Chapter 11: Breed Recognition -- The Longhorn Cattle Society -- Mr John Godfrey's Longhorns -- Herd Book -- Recent Years -- Longhorn Breed Standards - Conclusion - References - Appendix 1: Birmingham Royal Show Entries, 1876 - Appendix 2: Stilton Cheese - Appendix 3: Horn Shapes and Uses - Appendix 4: A Chronology - Appendix 5: Livestock Artists of the 18th and 19th Centuries - Index "Robert Bakewell was the man who pioneered livestock breeding in the 18th century, and he is remembered especially for his work with Leicester sheep and Longhorn cattle. This book covers Bakewell's background, struggles and successes. It also discusses his legacy, as the Longhorn story did not end with him." "After a burst of popularity in the hands of Bakewell and his followers, the breed fell into a decline until the late 19th century. Interest in it is on the rise again, and this book marking the bicentenary of Bakewell's death is a tribute to the breed and all those who have been concerned with it."--Jacket Publisher: Farming Press Books,ISBN: 0-85236-305-2,Robert Bakewell,biography,history,agriculture,breeding,cattle,Longhorn cattle,Dishley,English agriculture,breed standards,Stilton cheese history