REPORT OF MR. 8. A. BEDFORD 



427 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



tage of, with the result that the stock in this neighbourhood has greatly improved in 

 character since the establishment of the Experimental Farm. 



During the past two years, the three bulls on the farm have served 193 cows. This 

 is in addition to the Experimental Farm herd. Eighty-two cows were served by the 

 Shorthorn, 72 by the Guernsey, and 39 by the Ayrshire. 



Importance of the Sire. 



A very strnang instance of the prepotency of the sire is shown in the form and 

 milking record of the two grade cows ' Violet ' and ' Pansy.' These were both from the 

 same grade cow, ' Daisy.' Violet's sire was a beefy Shorthorn bull, and Pansy's a large 

 Ayrshire bull. Both take after their respective sires in appearance. The plate near 

 the beginning of this report was made from photographs of these animals. From the 

 accompanying table, it will be seen that the Ayrshire-grade, not only gave the largest 

 quantity of milk per day, but her milking period was also much longer. 



SWINE. 



The herd of swine on the farm continues in good health, and consists of the fol- 



lowing animals : — 



POULTEY. 



The fowls have kept quite healthy, and seventy chicks were raised during the year. 

 The flock now consists of 48 Light Brahmas, 13 White Plymouth Hocks and 21 

 Black Minorcas. 



Fattening of Brahmas Compared with Plymouth Rocks. 



Four Brahmas and an equal number of White Plymouth Rocks were shut up in 

 6latted pens, each 2x3 feet, and fed all they would eat of finely-ground grain, consist- 

 ing of one-third each of oats, wheat and barley. This was given, in troughs, mixed 

 with ski^a milk to about the consistency of thin porridge. 



