THE CANTERBURY HERD BOOK.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1900, 27 March 1880, Page 4

THE CANTERBURY HERD BOOK.

It will be seen from the report of tho Can» terbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, just issued, for the year ending 31ot March, 18S0, that arrangements are being mode for the fpublioation of the fifth volume of the " Canterbury Herd Book." II is now two years since the appearance of Vol. IV. The valuo of works of this kind are too well known to require any remarks on this score, but it may, however, be observed that the efficiency or otherwise of all Stud Books consists in the accuracy of the pedigrees recorded, and therefore owners of stook cannot be too particular in entering their animals. All will admit that it is of the utmost importance that the breeding of cattle Bhould be carried on with accuracy as regards pedigrees. Tho formation of hercta destined to become famous in this country, as those of Bates, Booth and others, have in Eagland, can only be accomplished by the aid of carefully recorded tables of pedigrees. Every judge of stock knows that tho eye is not infalliblo m B<>locting animals for breeding purposes, recourse must be had to the "Stud Book." The former means may often err, the latter rarely does. Considering the age of the colony, we have much to congratulate ourselves upon in the possession of works of this character, the importance of which Till increase as time wears on. In 1822 the first number of Coates' '* Herd Book " made its appearance in England, and has continued to be issued at intorvals up to the present day. It has now reached its twenty-fifth edition, all of which may be consulted by momberß at the rooms of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The possession of such a work renders the tracing of English pedigrees a comparatively easy task. To prevent tho indiscriminate entry of stock, thereby filling the work with animals' names, having nothing save a highsounding title to recommend them, a rule is in force which prohibits the entry of any animals whoso sire and dam does not appear in Coates', tho New Zealand, Canterbury, or some other recognised "Herd Book." The establishment of the "Canterbury Herd Book " has been the means not only of pre. serving the pedigrees of many superior cattle introduced to the province in the early days, but it has also induced breeders to pay more attention to the purity of their stock. The man who has stock to sell, and cannot show a clean pedigree, may be likened to a man having a farm to sell, and who oan only produce a faulty title, and vice versa.