356 



STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In this, adaptability of the breed to the conditions, and the question 

 of personal preference, are the two important factors; the decision of 

 this question is also an important factor, for a change of mind after 

 the work has begun, and the use of other blood, is more apt to result in 

 retrogression for a time, than improvement. Having decided upon the 

 breed to be used for improvement — suppose it is the Holstein — then pur- 

 chase the best Holstein bull that the pocket book will allow. Mate 

 this bull with the twelve selected cows, and use him for two seasons, 

 after which his progeny will be old enough to breed. At this point 

 secure another Holstein bull, a better one than the first if possible; 



Hereford- 



ILLUSTRATION 1. 

 -Kington 2d 134454. Sire of heifer illustration 3. 



follow him with others of the same breed, indefinitely. Let it be Hol- 

 stein bull after Holstein bull, nothing but Holstein bulls. We have 

 cited the Holstein merely for the purpose of this illustration. The same 

 plan must be used no matter what the breed is. 



We may expect, after a few top-crosses in up-grading, that the progeny 

 will resemble the type of the sires used in improvement, quite closely, 

 both as to form and general characteristics ; in fact, so much so that the 

 high grade may eventually equal the jjure blood improver from a stand- 

 point of utility in meat or milk making, as the case may be. There is 

 some question as to the number of crosses that must be produced before 

 this high standard of excellence will be secured in the grade. See result 

 in first generation from mating Hereford sire with scrub cow, illustra- 

 tions 1, 2, and 3. This will be somewhat dependent on the duration of the 



