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one-half to seven-eighths Angus blood. A rigid selection has been made each 

 year, retaining in the herd only those animals that approach nearest the type 

 we want. From the half-blood calves 98 per cent are hornless and 95 per 

 cent solid black. The foundation herd of native cows were all colors, and all 

 except four had horns. The form and feeding quality of the calves has been 

 much improved and their market value increased. Our grade Angus calves will 

 sell readily for one-third more than the native calves of same age. Our calves 

 are larger at same age and many of them look like purebred Angus. Our grade 

 steers of 2 and 3 years old will bring from one-half to 1 per cent more i)er pound 

 on foot than native steers or same age and size. We are this year establishing 

 some work with Shorthorn bulls on native cows. 



" We have not as yet gone far enough into the feeding or finishing of these 

 grade steers to be able to make a report of that side of the work. We have in 

 progress comparative feeding of native and grade steers, and this work will 

 continue for some time yet. We have graded up a bunch of sheep by using 

 Dorset bucks on native ewes. The native ewes give an average clip of 2.9 

 pounds of wool, and only about 5 per cent dropped twin lambs. Our flock now 

 averages 5 pounds of wool, and 50 per cent brought twin lambs last season. 



" I hope you may be able to form some idea of our work from this brief 

 statement. Our farmers are taking great interest in better cattle, especially 

 beef cattle. Our station inoculated over 300 registered cattle for farmers last 

 season." 



By Prof. J. H. Skinner, of Indiana: "At present we are conducting some 

 experiments in swine breeding. As you are aware, there has been much dis 

 cussion as to the use of bacon hogs, especially to bring in renewed vitality and 

 increase of prolificacy of other breeds. We have undertaken to investigate the 

 matter of crossing Poland Chinas on Yorkshires, selecting the females which 

 have a tendency toward bacon t\pe from each generation and using pure-bred 

 Poland China males to mate with these sows. The work has been in progress 

 two years. We are not in position, however, to make any statements in 

 regard to results, as I believe such experiments should be carefully worked 

 out and sufficient data secui'ed before drawing any conclusions." 



By Prof. II. S. Shaw, of Michigan: "At present we have the necessary facili- 

 ties about complete for launching out on an extensive line of breeding in which 

 the grade dairy cow is to be the subject used. One of our men is at i)resent 

 in the field purchasing 20 high-grade Shorthorn cows. These are to be brought 

 to the institution and a record made regarding the age, weight, form, quality, 

 etc., of each individual, each record to be accompanied by a photograph. The 

 cows will then be divided into 4 uniform lots. The females of lot 1 and their 

 female offspring will be bred to a continuous line of Holstein bulls; lot 2 to 

 Jersey bulls ; lot 3 to Guernsey bulls, and lot 4 to dual purpose Shorthorn 

 bulls. The idea is to keep a record of each generation of females. as dairy 

 producers and to determine the veal or baby beef values of the male offspring. 

 The primary object of this work will be to demonstrate the' possibilities of 

 improving common-grade stock through upgrading. The secondary object will 

 be to demonstrate what good feeding, care, and management will do to increase 

 the productiveness of the original stocks chosen. The indiscriminate admix- 

 tures of blood in breeding dairy cows has led to this line of work. 



" One year ago we started some investigations in breeding in relation to size 

 in dairy cows. For example, in purchasing Ayrshire cows we found it almost 

 impossible to secure cows possessed of the size which the breed manifested 

 ten to fifteen years ago. Two Ayrshire cows were purchased which at thirty- 

 seven months of age had produced two calves each; neither cow weighing to 

 exceed 700 pounds. A lifetime record of these two cows, in addition to several 

 of other breeds, is to be kept. It is the intention to so breed and handle the 

 female offspring as to produce larger individuals conforming more nearly to 

 the original type, and then secure, as far as possible, comparative data relative 

 to the two ty[tes. 



" We have no definite plans as yet relative to breeding problems among beef 

 cattle. Our swine department is being adjusted as rai)idly as possible so as to 

 enable us to begin original investigation work in swine breeding. Up to the 

 present we have simply produced several crosses in order to study more care- 

 fully those types occupying a place midway between extreme lard and bacon 

 types. During the past two years sheep and swine feeding investigations have 

 been conducted here quite extensively." 



By Prof. C. S. Plumb, of Ohio: " It seems to me some experiments might be 

 conducted systematically, dealing with telegouy, cross breeding, in-and-in 



