June 2, 1920.] 



Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 



415 



The total number of i-ecords of cows ofliciall}- tested for the full period 

 since the inception of the scheme in 1913 is as follows : — 



Number of completed tests to 1917 1,314 



„ in 1917-18 233 



„ „ 1918-19 170 



1919-20 



429 



Total completed tpsts to 1 st March, 1920... 2, 1 45 

 Numbi:r of Privately-owned Herds undergoing Test, 



This marked increase in the number of herds tested, especially as it is 

 spread over all breeds and distributed throughout the principal dairying 

 districts, is even more satisfactory than the increase already commented on in 

 the total number of cattle tested, because it shows that the influence of the 

 Association's testing scheme is widening, and bpcoming a greater factor in 

 spreading the benefits of the testing movement. Each additional breeder who 

 takes up testing creates in his district an atmosphere appreciative of the value 

 of records and of hereditary production. Thus the value of the pure-bred 

 sire of production strain becomes better known, and a greater demand is 

 created for him over a wider area. j 



Average Tests of all Standard Cows Recorded. 



The average butter-fat percentages for this and the last two years are 

 set out in the following table according to the different standard ages 

 adopted by the Association : — 



Ag'e Standard. 



Fat per cent. 



1917-18. 



1918-19. 



1919-20. 



4 years and over 

 3 , , under 4 



Under 3 years .. 



411 



4 06 

 431 



The averages for all cows tested since 1915 are as follows : — 

 1916-17 ... 4-4 1918-19 ... 4-3 



1917-18 ... 4-5 1919-20 ... 4-14 



