INSTITUTE, PUSA, FOR 1917-18 19 



thereby, but this is only one of the many points which must 

 be tested in this cross-breeding work. 



The first heifer, Alibi, to calve out of the above batch, 

 has given over 7,000 lb. in a lactation period of 10 months. 

 Two of the others are expected to reach over 6,000 lb. The 

 lactation periods of the rest are not yet complete but the 

 figures so far go to show that they will be well above the 

 average. 



The castrated stock of the Ayrshire-Montgomery cross 

 have turned out exceedingly quick, strong workers and are 

 proving equally useful for fast as well as heavy work, being 

 very big and massive without being overtopped. The im- 

 ported Ayrshire bulls, Lessnessock Wildfire and Carston 

 Royal Scotch, kept very fit throughout the year and con- 

 tinue to increase in weight. 



A sale of surplus stock was held on the 30th March, 1918, 

 when 53 head — bulls, cows, heifers and calves — came under 

 the hammer. They realized Rs. 5,600, averaging as 

 below — 



* Es. 



Bulls 203 



Cows ... . . 90 



Heifers 217 



Moutgoineiy bull calves ...... 82 



Cross-bred bull calves ...... 93 



The best prices were Rs. 300 for a bull, Rs. 230 for a 



cow, R#. 340 for a heifer, Rs. 220 for a cross-bred bull and 



Rs. 175 for a Montgomery bull calf. 



There was a large attendance and the bidding which was 

 very keen, especially for the heifers and cows in calf, showed 

 clearly that there is a strong demand for good class cattle 

 in India ; while the way in which the cross-bred bull calves 

 were bid for was evidence of the value which they represent 

 for rapidly improving the yield of milch herds. 



