156 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



do not like to see a black switch or black legs — although uuder the 

 rules there is no objection to recording such aniraals provided their 

 sires and dams are recorded. A well marked Holstein-Friesian bull 

 bred to an Ayrshire cow would in a majority of instances produce 

 an animal black, (not a dead black) and white in color with black 

 legs and switch. Cross a Holstein bull with a Shorthorn cow and 

 the white switch and legs will generally appear and the color will be 

 black and white or red and white in about the same proportions. 

 Cross with the Jersey and we have the white points but the black 

 will be largely tempered by the Jersey color, and the Jersey muzzle 

 will frequently appear. These crosses often make excellent dairy 

 animals and in the section where I live the Holstein-Shorthorn cows 

 have been very popular for years, many and many a cow having 

 been sold at $75 to $100, and in a few cases from $100 to S500 

 each. These cattle very much resemble pure bloods. The Holstein- 

 Ayrshire cross I do not consider so valuable. The animals being 

 homely in color and as far as my observation has gone, the quality 

 of milk is not particularly good. The Holstein- Jersey cross if 

 judiciously made produces a most excellent dairy animal ; the 

 quality of the milk is improved, the quantity is large although never 

 prodigious, but the beef form is destroyed. Form is sacrificed for 

 quality of milk from the butter stand point. If I were to establish 

 butter breed to-day without regard to any thing else, I should take 

 animals of this cross. But as I am one of those who believe in a 

 combination milk, butter and beef animal, I never would attempt 

 the cross. This combination animal exists to-day among the butter 

 class of Holstein-Friesian, and the best way to build up an ideal herd 

 is to make selections from the very best animals to be found. 



Now in order to do this it is desirable to understand what an ideal 

 combination animal is, then where such can be found, which individuals 

 and families possess nearestthe ideal qualities ; and then by judicious 

 selection breed from such aniraals as will be most likely to produce our 

 ideal. And right here conies in the importance of structural develop- 

 ment, which should be studied into and thoroughly understood b}' the 

 breeder. What shall we breed for? I answer milk, butter and form 

 every time. As one breeder puts it. "It is not necessary- tlaat an animal 

 be 'homely enough to stop a clock' in order to be a great producer 

 of milk and butter." Probably no intelligent dairyman to-day 

 doubts that the Holstein is the greatest milk producer in the world 

 Some may agree also that she has no superior in point of the quantity 



