BUREAU OF A.NIMAL INDUSTilY, 



321 



MILKING SHORTHORNS. 



The cooperative project which has been conducted by the University 

 of Minnesota and the United States Department of Agriculture in 

 breeding milking Shorthorn cattle progressed along similar lines to 

 those of previous years. On June 30, 1912, there were four herds 

 in the experiment. There was an increase of almost 1,000 pounds 

 of milk per cow during the last two years. The highest yield was 

 8,956 pounds of milk and 402 pounds of butter fat in 3Go days. 

 A number of other cows exceeded 7,000 pounds of milk and 250 

 pounds of butter fat. About 60 cows were under inspection during 

 the year. The average of these will be close to 6,000 pounds of milk 

 and 230 pounds of butter fat, a substantial increase over the precedins: 

 year. It would seem that herd averages of 7,000 pounds of milk and 

 300 pounds of butter fat are possible. A few cows have done espe- 

 cially well, one cow giving 10,291 pounds of milk and 470 pounds of 

 butter fat in 12 months. A cow with her second calf has a record 

 of 8,223 pounds of milk and 286 pounds of butter fat. Other cows 

 have increased their yields over previous years in spite of the fact 

 that no clover hay has been fed. 



The following is a summarized report of the annual average pro- 

 duction to date, including all animals completing a full lactation 

 period : 



The cooperation of the department in this experiment was with- 

 drawn June 30, 1912. 



ANIMAL BREEDING INVESTIGATIONS. 



The inbreeding investigations with guinea pigs which have been 

 in progress for some years were continued. Twenty-three families of 

 guinea pigs are now being inbred. One family. No. 15, became 

 extinct during the pa.st year, after having been inbred for seven 

 generations. All families have passed through five generations of 

 litter brother and sister inbreeding. A preliminary report on this 

 part of the work has been prepared and will soon be ready for publi- 

 cation. Some of the families have been inbred for 11 generations, 

 while others have some of their members still in the sixth generation. 



POULTRY INVESTIGATIONS. 



The work of breeding Barred Plymouth Rocks for increased egg 

 production, which has occupied the attention of the Maine Experi- 

 ment Station in cooperation with this department for many years, is 



70481°— AGR 1912- 



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