2130 BOAKD OF AfiRTClLTURE. 



llit'iiisi'lvcs, .-ire sires of piizc w iiiiicis. Tliis is where an allowance in 

 IndividuMlily must !)(• niade in favnr of pedigree. Pure brepdinjr the bull 

 must ha VI'. and the jri-cMtcr the individual cxci'llonoc of the top crosses 

 the licttc r the i)edi;:ri"c. Study the near parentajie closely. After having 



found an animal lliat is a u" 1 individual, and has an excellent pedigree, 



look for signs of prepotency. It is said prenolenoy is uncertain, and that 

 it cuts liotli ways. This is sonntinies true, hut with excellence in indi- 

 viduality and pedigree heliind ii. will rarely cut backwards. Masculinity, 

 bodily vigor and coiistilnlion are incsent with prepotency. But we are 

 never certain an animal will be prepotent until proven. It should be the 

 ambition of all to I)reed their herd sires, but many would profit by the 

 advice of Thomas Shaw, in animal lireeding: -.V sire in the meridian of 

 vigor whose prepotiiicy has been proved is a far safer investment than a 

 younger sire. e(iually good but whose i)repotency has not been proved." 

 See great sires, study their pedigrees and their characteristics, add what 

 you learn to what you know and you can pick a superior breeder, maybe. 

 As to care. I would say the best is none too gorxl for the herd bull. He 

 is taxed more than a cow giving milk and in calf. He is not living 

 under ordinary conditions and can not keeji in condition on an ordinary 

 ration. In experience we have found as a rule that he should be fed all 

 lie will clean n]> of corn, liraii and oats, ("(pial i»arts by measure, chopped 

 timothy hay is fed with his grain. Koots are fed in season. We also feed 

 hay uncut. Some animals become too fat imder such treatment, but they 

 generally lack in bodily vigor. Exercise is absolutely necessary to the best 

 health of the sire and a pasture lot should be provided. An open shelter 

 in this lot, so that tiie bull might go in and out at will, would be best. 

 A tank, at which he might get pure water at all times wotild finish his 

 (luarters. P.ut we can not have everything as we want it. If that was the 

 case we would all have a superior breeding bull, and if Ave could select 

 one every time we picked, I am sure Ave woidd mamige to take care 

 of him. 



I'resident Christian: I believe he has done a great deal better than 

 his father could have done. 



Professcu' Skinner: I am glad that 1 called on the .iunior; I didn't 

 know he had a gun for us. 



President Christian: I thiid< Ave ought to have a very good discus- 

 sion on this su1).ject. I don't think Ave need to go farther for a man to 

 bring out the points. There are a great many men in this State, and in 

 other States, that simi»ly throw their time and money away as well, by 

 not putting more into a l)ull. This is of great importance. If you do not 

 get the right kind of a bull you will not breed the right kind of cattle. 

 Lots of time has been Avasted in this direction. Captain Welsh, you cer- 

 tainlj'^ h^ve had some experience in this direction of selecting a herd bull. 



