The Farmer,

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, Volume 1, Issue 18, 26 July 1901, Page 3

The Farmer,

THE CHOICE Of A GOOD ' ' SIRE. It lias been well said that the bull is halftheherd, Forthe yeason thatthe part played by the bull in the success of the herd in which he is used cannot well be over, estimated. For the sake of economising, a few pounds m the price of a bull, many farmers may be inclined te take what is an inferior animal, where the expenditure of £10 or. £15 additional would enable them to secure a really high-class sire. In view of the fact that tha sire exercisesso very impor'ant an influence upon the whole of 'he season s calves a dis play of any parsimony in his purchase is much to be deprecated. No matter how good the cows areVith which he is mated, if .the bull is himself an indifferent -animal satisfactory results cannot reasonably be counted upon. If: a good bull is mated with a poor cow the consequences of employing the inferior .dam is confined with the one particular calf which fthat cowproduces; on the other hand, if an indifferent bnll is introduced mfc a herd his influence is exercised right through the seasons.crop of [calves, and in this way the harm that he' oeasibiis is very serious. This point should ak ways be borne in mind lay farmers and breeders in making their selection of sires, A few pounds spent in this way might go a long waj towards maintaining or improving [the chracter of a herd perhaps the supposed economy of a few pounds in the purchase may leae to results the effect ol which may take years to eradicate or overcome.