THE POINTS OF GOOD CATTLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 297, 23 October 1879, Page 2

THE POINTS OF GOOD CATTLE.

At a meeting of the Kaiapoi Farmers' Club last week, Mr Duncan Forbes read a paper on Cattle Breeding. We select the following, as interesting ; . A perfect beef animal has, then, the points very large, (and the writer would here remark that lie is not laying down any specific rule but will simply show how the point system can be made applicable. ) Face long and crown well centered... 10 Horns fine and oval ... ... ... 10 Brisket well set forward 10 Chine full and back broad and straight 10 Flank deep and the ribs broad and well

bent 10 Loin wide 10 Hump Long 10 Bone fine 10 Hair silky, and the skin light brown and oily 10 Generalappeaiance— a pony look ... 10 Points 100 The maximum numbei of points can be awarded to a steer so shaped; comparative values can be estimated by Fine 7|-! Average 5 ; Course 3]! _ To produce a steer of the best description, there is a great deal in the breed of the pasture, such will have a good constitution, 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 grassed) but a line must be- drawn between 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 where the general form is delicate. Head small and jaw thin 10 Neck small where it joins the head... 10 Fore-quarters light 10 Hips large 10 Hind legs a little bwed 10 Large milk-veins 10 Thumb marks or milk mirror 10 Skin oily 10 Temper a little nervous 10 General appearance—wedge shape ... 10

Points 10 Comparative values—Fine 7£; Average 5; Course 2A-. When I stand in front of an animal showing the above points prominent, I feel like lifting off 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 succeed, you can fall back on the old method. The opponents of the system say it is impossible to practice jt, because there are so many different strains of shorthorn blood, and the various points',™ more 'prominent in some herds than others, and all valuable animals. We do not admit of such reasoning. For any show society, whose members generally constiinte 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. Allow me to digress. In conclusion, 1 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 for the direction of the judges, and let judgment be given on the silent sys-

tem, and we assert that in live years there will not be many horses travelling the , country resembling tine mares, and it will |jft. not' be necessary to send out of Ne«r 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.