Farming Notes.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 167, 19 July 1904, Page 4

Farming Notes.

HOW TO BUILD UP A DAIRY HERD. A writer in the Waiirarapa Daily Times says:—" On reading an American agricultural paper, I'chanced on an article by Professor Alnord, chief of the Dairy Division of the U.S.A. Department of Agriculture on how to build up a dairy herd. There is little in it that has not already been told 1 to New Zealand f a rmers, but it puts some valuable truths in a new way, and as such is worthy of repetition. "The dairyman," says Professor Alnord, "can hardly bo udviscd to buy at. once a full stock of purebred cattle of any kind, if his sole object and -dependence of profit is'to-be the dairy product of the 'herd. Such a venture will necessitate largo investment, and should include the breeding of registered animals for sale at remunerative prices, as a part of the business. Wcll-tbrod and well-selected grade cows of the line of blood desired seem to be the most profitable animals for the practical dairyman, or at least the best to begin with. If enterprising and progressive, the owner will -hardily be content with grades only. He may -begin with his,bull purebred ; presently he will want a registered cow to match, then ono or two more. Thus he will be steadily and properly working toward a purely-lired 'herd. If the breed chosen is the right one tor the object sought, it will soon be found that the more of this blood the herd contains the better. Starting with half bred cows .(the offspring of purebred hulls and dams of mixed or uncertain blood), the next grade three-fourths pure, will prove belter dairy stock, if the bull is what he should be and the increase lias been culled. Another step higher is-better st'ilMljetter for the -dairy—and so the grading goes on and improvement' goes on until the Wood of the herd is practically pure. The best dairy results may thus be reached, but the herd has a taint. It lacks pedigree. Its increase, however, excellent in dairy performance, must pass and sell as grades. The owner feelss this, and is pretty sure to gradually replace his well-bred cows, almost purebred, with fully pedigreed ami registered animals. This .end is reached sooner -and easier by starting with one or two registered females, and, of course, a registeredibull.

"In these days any dairyman who wants registered animals of any of the approved breeds can get them if he will but make the effort. The beginner in registered dairy stock cannot be too strongly urged to buy and breed on the basis of individual and family merit and dairy record, and not upon pedigree alone. Pod - ' g-ree is of value and should be studied ; it is thefllest guarantee that the calves to come will make good cows. But tho pedigree should be supported by uniform excellence in the family and by evidence of merit in the particular animals bought. Although the investment is greater, there is greater certainty of good results if mature cows are bought [ which show what can be expected of them, if they 'have not already | made a record, than if calves or undeveloped heifers are selected. It is also economy, having ohosen the right 'breed, to purchase good representatives of that breed, ratlier than |be content with only average or even ordinary animals. Successful dairying has proved] thai the greater profit comes from the best cows whatever their kind. This is as true of purebred registered stock as common cows. It is better to pay £6O for three excellent cows than 'to pay the same sum for four good cows or five which a ''e only fair. A really superior dairy cow of 'a superior family, with pedigree .which gives assurance of calves aqlual to the dam, if not better, is always worth a large price. Such an animal adds | much to the average value of any ■dairy herd In buying registered cattle deal only with men of reputa- ' tion as breeders and of strict integrity. ' The best part of a pedigree is the name of the breeder.' "