120 



These results indicate that cow's milk in Jamaica is naturally 

 richer in fat than the milk of similar cows in a temperate climate. 



The average milk from the 7 Kingston dairies represents a very 

 good standard and indicates over 20 per cent, more fat than that 

 in average English milk. There would appear to be a lower 

 standard of solids not fat, and in the case of individual cows these 

 constituents are markedly low, A careful study of the records of 

 the individual cows, as given in Mr. Hammond's report, will show 

 the marked deterioration of the milk from cows of Holstein blood , 

 in this respect. In a tropical country the value of milk as a food 

 for young children resides more in the content of albuminoid* 

 and mineral matter, the non-fatty solids which go to build up the 

 body, than on the fat. Climatic conditions in Jamaica naturally 

 favour a good proportion of fat in milk, and it is a serious mat- 

 ter as regards the public welfare that the recent craze for Holstein 

 blood should result in such a serious depreciation of those con- 

 stituents of milk most deficient under local conditions and most 

 necessary in the food of young children. The records of certain 

 selected creole cows in this list are excellent (see Dairy No. 2.) 

 The Indian cross has enabled the Holstein strain to maintain a 

 good standard of quality in two cases (Dairy No. 4. Nos. 5 and 20.) 



Speaking generally, I am convinced that the Holstein breed is 

 quite unsuited for Jamaica. I am informed that on large pens the 

 calves are found delicate and the cross undesirable, while as re- 

 gards the quality of milk the results are deplorable. The breeds 

 producing rich milk, such as the Channel Islands breeds, are not 

 of general utility for local purposes, and I see no need for pro- 

 ducing milk of abnormal richness in fat in this country. 



We want here a general purpose breed that will suit the butcher 

 and also give good milk in quantity when used for dairy purposes. 

 We have the foundation for this by making a rigid selection of 

 our local cows. I believe individual Creole cows hold the record 

 for milk production in Jamaica, and if such animals were carefully 

 selected for breeding, excellent results should follow. From ex- 

 perience of the splendid deep-milking qualities of a herd of dairy 

 Shorthorns at Wye College in England, I am inclined to believe 

 that the Dairy Shorthorn Bull should be most valuable in im- 

 proving our Creole dairy cows on safe and profitable lines. 



The Holstein is doing great harm, and its general use would 

 seriously deteriorate the quality of milk and also the butcher's 

 value of our cattle. 



