OF INTEREST TO FARMERS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 682, 8 November 1921, Page 2

OF INTEREST TO FARMERS.

THE PROSPECT FOR THE DUAL PURPOSE COW.

An English breeder of dairy Shorthorns who is the third generation of his family -Sto engage in the breeding and improvement of this great dual purpose cow declares it is particularly adapted to those countries or sections of country adjacent to large industrial centres where there is a good market- for both milk and beef. For this reason he looks for a keen demand for the dairy Shorthorn in Eastern States, in the industrial sections of South America, New Zealand and many other countries whose cities are growing in size. With these he might well have included Eastern Canada, but before doing so i£ would be necessary to modify the claim somewhat. From observations in Ontario and Quebec we believe that there is a widespread demand for a cow that will be an economical producer of milk and at the same time be able to produce a number one beef steer. This demand does not cover the entire territory, however, as there are large sections close to the cities and large towns having good market facilities for milk and cream wherip only the high producing strictly dairy type of cow is desired, and in so far as these specialised sections are concerned the claim of the British breeder is not well founded. It is in the outlying sections of the two Provinces, and we believe the same might be said of the Maritimes '‘that he dual purpose breed finds its real adherents. Various attempts have been made by farmers in such sections fto secure a dual purpose commercial animal - through crossing a beef and a dairy breed. Rarely if ever has this proved successful, and very frequently it has resulted in a lq|t of nondescript animals 'that would neither give milk or produce beef at a profit. Many of the men who have failed 1 in this experiment are now looking for a breed in which the dual purpose object has been kept firmly in mind since its foundation, and it is this demand that notifies the claim of ..he British breeder, a demand that to-day-is greater than the supply.' TH PROGRESS OF OR.MMNG AT CRE VVIfUiKS. The grading of dairy rpoduce is making substantial progress in Canada ; more than must of us are aware of (lemaiks the Montreal Weekly Star). It is just a little over ten yea s since Mr Marker started his work in Alberta and that provimce is still 'n the lead m grading work All cream delivered to the creameries in Alberta is paid for according to quality. The greater portion of the butter made is graded by Governemnt inspectors and soid according to grade. The movement spread rapidly to the other prairie provinces and while it is entirely optional with creameries whether they grade (the cream and pay a premium for quality or not, the most of them do so and also submit their

butter samples for Government grading. Three years ago Ontario established a butter grading service which is now patronised' by most of the leading creameries and the Toronto Produce Exchange is dealing only in butter that has the Government grade attached. In Quebec this development assumed a different form. There the factorymen organised a co-operative company and started immediately to have their butter graded by a Government official and sold by auction according to grade. The other provinces are also contemplating thte establishment of grading services. It is interesting to remember that the fum grading work in Alberta was forced ahead rapidly by competition. All of Alberta’s surplus was then marketed in British Columbia. New Zealand began to ship in but,ter of superior quality and by 1914 they had captured the most discriminating trade on fche Pacific Coast. Alberta regained her position, however, through a system of grading and paying according to quality. Only one step more is now needed to complete the Canadian grading system. We have* no distinctive Dominion grades and the provincial grades are not known on the British market. Were all dairy produce intended for export, graded by federal officials and marketed as are our apples and eggs, there would be gregtly increased confidence overseas in the quality of our goods. Legislation was passed 1 in the last session at Ottawa, making such a step in advance, possible, and the severe competition for markets, which will be characteristic of the next few years, made the enforcement of this legislation advisable. HARK TEATS ON COWS. A, correspondent writing to the “Land” asks : Could you • tell me what is wrong with my cow ? One morning, when milking her, one of her teats was hard, and a lot of thick stuff came out of Up- The next day the same thing occurred again, and her udder seems enlarged and hard on one side, more especially above the teat that is affected. I may say that I had a cow about three years ago hat wen£ the same way, and she lost two of her heats.. Perhaps you may be able to advise me what to do, as the cow is a very valuable orte. Answer.—Bathfe the bag with very warm water for an hour at least twice a d-ay. Afterwards dry and rub with camphorated! olntmen/t thoroughly. Milk three or four times a day very carefully. It is a good plan to give the following drench by the mouth :—Epsom salts lt£lbs ground ginger loz, in three pints of water. Injections of boracic acid into the tea)t sometimes do good in the proportion of a teaspoonful of boracic acid to a pint of warm water. Should 1 an abscess unfortunately form, it must be opened and the pus let out, and after the bleeding stops dress twice daily with a lotion of carbolic acid one part, glycerine one part, and 1 water 20 parks. Should you inject the boracic •acid, solution use a milk symphon, and allow the solution to stay in the gland for five minutes bfoi‘3 milking out. Repeat ‘this daily.