SHORTHORN SUPREMACY DISPUTED.

Waikato Times, Volume V, Issue 294, 31 March 1874, Page 2

SH ORTHORN SUPREMACY DISPUTED.

" Aoeipola," writing from Trfmut to tho Victorian. Scontf tniit, saye :—: — •'',(' New South WaWe erperionoe of fclta Shorthorn, go far jn r '-'ul irity of breeding is concerted, tanj possibly b« the only Experience which can b<S oaiilj obtained ; and it is probaOu that they mny not bo of an order which will gu&ranle? success, or a feature ranch in favour of the breed which is required to accomplish such pr»at things for Australia. We rannot but imagine that too great a decree of partiality ba» been shown to the Shorthorn breeds of cattle, and that whilo we are making so much embarras about a breed comparatively untried, may we not bo losing sight of an equally valuable description, and one more likely to fulfil Australian requirements ? It may bo said that only within the last two years hove our stoekowners considered the importance attached to singling out a particular breed to propagate. A choice, probably guided by English reputation, seems to have fallen generally on one particular breed of cattle. The facilities offered by pedigree breeders of that particular cattle stock to secure fine blood have been great, though perhaps costly. The prodigious success of those gentlemen has created for that particular breed a few chompions, who in their zeal for its success throw a wet blanket over tho merits of lets favored varieties In Dr Jenkins we find such a champion. The lectures delivered by that gentleman on cattle breeding, before the Agricultural Society of New South Wales is a studied eulogy of the ' Shorthorn.' The thanks of every cattle broeder are, however, due to Dr Jenkins. He has beer the means, in his invitation- to the discuision of his pnper, of bringing out the experience of a few breeders on tho merits of the boasted Shorthorn which, ©therwise, may not have been known. The lecturer, so far from having put forth any argument in proof of the superiority of the pure Shorthorn over other breeds as suited to the colonies, contents himself by merely showing that they are heavier, and consequently valuable ! The experience which the invitation has called forth seems to be the very opposite to that which all admirers of the Shorthorn would wish to receive. And if any reliance can be placed in these recorded experiences, a w ir'ning note has been positively raved against the breed for location on distant runs, or in doubtful climates. Tboso ' experiences ' havo probably not their origin m Australia. Some such suspicions have long since been in existence in England, but they have not been generally made known ; or, if they have become unown, have remained unheeded, pcrhap«, and unfortunately so to the exclusion of another breed which might possibly supply our cattle men with animals eligible in every way to become the founders of future pastoral prosperity, with which national greatness may be considered a* somswhnt akin. Our extensivo island territory) and scarcely explored regions are destined before many years puss to lend considcrnble aid towards raising us into an m.portant country. As our herds increase, we shall probably make some attempt towards helping our fatherland to cheap meat ; but desirable as so gieat an on may be, the supplies we maybe called upon to furnish will only be of a very temporary nature, unless some gtmnd ni'ivo is made towards laying the foundation ot those herds on as ound basis. The climate, our explorers tell us, iv those partially explored regions, is uncertain, and the difficulties of tnvelhng great ; but if experience teaches us that the breed of cattle, which is now being raised, is unsuitable to the wants of the settler situated on the borders of our extensive island territory, is it not time some action should be made towards the discovery of a breed which is capable of furnishing animals upon which we may rely as possessing the necessary qualifications suitable to contend with difficulties? The question is of national importance.