KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1761, 11 October 1879, Page 3

KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday evening, at the Club's chambers. _ Present nineteen members ; Mr Pashby, chairman of the club, presiding. Mr Peter Duncan, Loburn, read the following : " Shall not those things be considered." Mr Chairman and members of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club, —The things we wish to draw your attention to this evening are what are known as the "points theory," or the " importance of judging cattle by points." Yau are not only naked to consider those things, but to take steps necessary to bring the judging by points theory into practice. In this paper it is not the intention of the writer to oriticise the points of any animal having the McCombie, Bates, or Booth strains of blood flowing in their veins; but what has been done by those and other noted breeders, teach that a perfect animal has a certain number of points fully developed. And judging by points has carried those men to the acme of greatness as breeders. As with the breeder, so with any pastoral exhibition society, whose pre-eminence as a society will be seen only when in imitation of the breeder it adopts the system of judging by points, and has its awards made on that system alone. Taking the deeper view of wrong, science and intelligence unite in crying aloud for the abolition of the present method, and the adoption of the point card. To compare that method with the scientific or point system, it will be necessary to glance at the practice of judging at cattle shows and the evils attendant thereto, and although that method is based on the point system, it is certainly assailable, for it makes no distinction whether an animal is for beef or dairy purposes (good milkers are to be found in all breeds, but all breeds are not good for the dairy, and the dairy cow has to play a very important part in the animal economy), and the present method seems also to furnish the following evils, indiscriminate judging, disagreement amongst judges, grumbling, general dissatisfaction at decisions rendered, protest courts, and another evil creeping in is the Bending after long distance judges. No doubt distance lends enchantment to the look of many a duke or duchess, earl or countess whose only good qualities are a super-abund-ance of pedigree. But it is certainly absurd to think that accredited judges from distant parts; (no doubt practical men, who are to award the different animals that will best represent the breed to be encouraged) can say what breed or particular strain of shorthorn blood should be encouraged. For it is certainly true that all the different breeds and different strains of shorthorn blood do not thrive equally well on the different soil formations. And to give prizes on the broad basis that all breeds are good for all parts of the country, the shambles, and the dairy, is one great cause of disagreement, followed by indifference on the part of some judges, and the prize is given to some animal not entirely worthy. The consequence, a protest, is lodged, and general dissatisfaction at the decision rendered the judges clever men above suspicion, but awards not made according to science or the point system beget grumbling. To abolish the evils of the present method and foster and encourage a knowledge of judging by points, show societies, to keep progress with the age, should provide their judges with a card for their guidance with a diagram of the best points required in every breed to be encouraged, as the standard or measure, and the judges while acting should have no conversation as to the merits or demerits of any animal, but check off as they find the animal possessed of this mathematical scheme. By doing so the breeder is imitated, pace kept with the spirit of the age, and the exhibits judged on sound principles, and we say it is the duty of leading societies to draw the attention of those engaged in mixed farming, dairying, or stock raising, to the breeds that are the best for any particular district, by an established code of points. " Help yourself and the world will help you," is an old maxim, it is as truo that if you assist nature she will reward_ you, even to the wished for aox, and show societies can materially assist in checking degeneracy ,in breed, by advocating strict attention to a diagram of points. Nature has unerringly pointed out that where assisted by science and not to much breeding-in and looking to blood alone, she will reward the breeder with a perfect animal. For consanguinity of dukes and duchesses does not beget gems, the "genus homo" not excepted. It may be argued by some of the opponents of the point system that all animals have some defect in their build or formation. Perhaps this is true, but the writer believes that he has seen cattle that were perfection for beef or dairy purposes. We have seen a very fine card drawn up by Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, a pen and ink picture of what a short horn should be. As it is only our intention to court discussion on the importance of judging by points, I will try to enumerate ten cardinal points in a grade (no doubt they excel the pure bred). A perfect beef animal has, then, the follow-

ing points, very larga (and the writer would hero remark that he is not laying down any specifio rule, but will simply show how the point system can be made applicable.) A good steer has, then, a

To produce a steer of the above description there is a great deal in the breed of the pasture, such will have a good conßtitution and not too much bone if not raised on a limestone ridge. The points of a dairy cow are to a certain extent different from a beef animal (of course all cattle are good for beef when well grazed), but a line must be drawn bei ween the the shambles and the dairy. Perhaps it would not be difficult to recognise forty or fifty points or signs on a No. 1 cow, but a great many are of minor importance. Any cow is notable whose general form is delicate.

When I stand in front of an animal {showing the above points prominent I feel like lifting my hat and making a profound bow. I know there is a great difference of opinion on this point question. Its advocates say give it a fair trial; if you don't suoceed, you can fall baok on the old method. The opponents of the system say it is impossible to practice it, because there are so many different strains of shorthorn blood, and the various points are more prominent in some herds than others, and all valuable animals. We do not admit such reasoning. For any show society, whose members generally constitute the wealth, worth, and intelligence of the farming community, can certainly draw up a diagram of points of animals best suited for the different parts of the country. Permit me to digress. In conclusion, I would respectfully ask_ the chairman and members of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club to practice the point system at their next foal show ; have a card prepared with a diagram of points at the top of the card for the direction of the judges, and let judgment be given on the silent system, and we assert that in five years there will not be many horses travelling the country resembling fine mares, and it will not be necessary to send out of New Zealand for No. 1 stock. No doubt the opponents of the point system will continue to pooh-pooh, and call it only a theory. However, we have stated facts, and they are stubborn things, and points in cattle are important things. And shall not those things be considered. [Cheers.] Mr M. Jones referred to the importance of improving the herd in this colony as well as the necessity for taking stops to obtain better bulls. It was his opinion that the judges at present gave their decision on points, and it would be inconvenient for many judges to record their opinions in the manner advocated.

Mr Revell referred to the discussion in England in reference to appointing one instead of three men to judge Btock at shows. Mr Parnham pointed out that separate opinions ought to be obtained on cattle suitable for dairy and breeding. He referred to the excellent qualities of the Townsend cattle, which had the advantage in frame and constitution over many of the present herds in Canterbury. The Chairman stated if he wanted to select a good bull he chose one whoße dam was a prolific dairy animal. The Townsend cattle he remembered were not taking in appearance, as they had black noses, but were otherwise much after the stamp of Mr Duncan's ideal. Mr Eevell stated that the Townsend cattle were imported in the ship in which his_ family arrived, and for one of the cows, which was sold to Mr Gibbon Wakefield for £2O, £3OO was demanded if it was to remain in Great Britain.

Mr Jones was sorry to note a falling away in the frames now compared with the Townsend cattle, and whether through inattention to breeding or feeding, or overstocking, or want of acquaintance with the nature of grasses, the subject required looking to. The best framed animals seemed to come from the Peninsula, where they fed on the cocksfoot grass, giving them bone and quality. Mr Wilson was glad the subject of judging by points brought up by him some years ago was not lost sight of. He hoped yet to see it introduced, and maintained that, as the show yard was intended to educate particularly the young farmers, the managers of exhibitions had a duty to perform in extending the information respecting exhibits as far as possible. He agreed with Mr Jones that judges were invariably careful in giving decisions, but as the grounds which such verdicts were given were not registered, it was a perfect puzzle to the learner, and even breeders of some experience, to ascertain the superior points of prize exhibits over others in the class. If only one judge was appointed, and he a devotee to the Bates or Booth fashion, he was afraid any arbitrary rule might be enforced at one show, and in the event of a new judge at a following show whose fancy lay in the other direction, confusion would result. It had long been his opinion that the managers of shows ought to decide on the ideal animal, record their impressions as far as possible, and bring the herd up to that standard through the judges. Mr Duncan here displayed a diagram of an animal on which the points were marked. He said the silent system of judging ought to be tried, and if school examiners could teßt boys at Bchool by points, judges in the oattle ring should be able to do the same on fixed principles. Mr Parnham thought the system might be used in England, where the different types in the herds were defined, but there were so many crosses here that the system would be difficult to initiate. Mr Duncan replied that so long as the Council of an Association could decide upon the points of a good animal, the system of judging advocated by him would stand the test. In five years, he ventured to say, if animals were bred to some ideal, instead of being judged by comparison only, a marked improvement would be shown. On the motion of Mr Wilson, seconded by Mr Bevell, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Duncan for his valuable paper, and he was elected an honorary member of the club. It was resolved—" That the Chairman confer with Mr Bateman in reference to the publication of his paper read at last meeting. Mr Parnham brought under notice the fact that while farmers were striving to keep the Bparrows under, the birds were being harbored in Ohristchurch and the towns. It had been suggested that all the streets of the city should very early some morning be spread with poisoned grain. After some discussion, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Parnham, seconded by_ Mr McGregor—"That the Canterbury Agricultural Society be written to, and that the Council bo respectfully requested to consider the necessity for taking means to remove the sparrow nuisance." Mr C. 0. Bowen and Mr W. Bateman were unanimously elected honorary members of the club.

A number of exhibition catalogues were inspected, and on the motion of Mr Duncan, seconded by Mr Jones, it was resolved—- " That in the opinion of members of the club all agricultural implements which can be tested at the shows ought to be so tried before prizes are awarded, as being the only meanß of proving the utility of the same to persons engaged in agricultural pursuits." The Chairman reported that arrangements were being completed for the appointment of agents for the club in other provinces to furnish market reports and reliable quotations. After ajvote of thanks to the ohairaan the members adjourned.?

POINTS. | Very largo— 10. 1 I I Hi 1 be 1 H < I is—limns 1 Face long and crown well centered 10 2 Horns fine and oval 10 3 Brisket well set forward 10 4 Chine full and back broad and straight 10 5 Flank deep, and the ribs broad and well bent 10 6 Loin wide 10 7 Rump long 10 8 Bone fine 10 9 Hair silky, and the skin light brown and oily 10 10 General appearance —a pony look... 10 Points 100

>o 1 M Points, T 1 O a > 8 W U4 < o 1 Head small and jaw thin 10 2 Nejk small where it joins the head 10 3 Fore-quarters light 10 4 Hips large 10 b Hind legs bowed a little 10 6 Large milk veins 10 7 Thumb marks or milk mirror 10 8 Skin oily 10 9 Temper a little nervous 10 10 General appearance—wedge shape 10 Points 100