277 

 MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



HEREDITY IN STOCK. 



Anv phenomenal traits, but more especially that of milk, ap- 

 pear to be obtained far more throug^h the bull than the cow, 

 hence so many of our short-pedigreed or non-pedigreed cows 

 and heifers are daily proving better dairy cattle than those of 

 long standing pedigree. There is undoubtedly in the case of 

 heavy milkers a tendency to weaken the constitution of the cow, 

 both as regards health and also as regards the ability to impress 

 the offspring. These cows, it is quite possible, indeed, it appears 

 to be the case, give more effect to their male offspring than to 

 the female, as bulls from such animals quite as a rule beget 

 much better milkers than the bulls from cows of light milking- 

 properties. — Journal of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. 



DAIRY INSPECTORS. 



The first examination for the appointment of supervisors under 

 the Milk and Dairy Supervision Act has just been completed. 

 Two hundred and sixty candidates presented themselves for ex- 

 amination and 22 passed. The examination ^vas divided into 

 three parts — written, oral and practical, but no candidate was 

 rejected on the written paper alone. The examiners required 

 first, practical experience ; second, general education ; and third, 

 sound common sense and tact, with a knowledge of the under- 

 lying principles of agriculture — men who could not only do a 

 thing, but who could say why they did it, and who were able to ex- 

 plain their reasons lucidly to a farmer. Of the 22 successful 

 candidates, 10 were dairy farmers, 5 factory managers, 3 veterin- 

 ary surgeons, i an analyst, 1 a shire inspector, i an inspectoi 

 of the Agricultural Department and i a dairy hand. They 

 ranged in age from 20 to 44. — Journal of Department of Agri- 

 culture, Victoria. 



THE SCOTIA FIRE BEATER. 



Those who have had experience in subduing fierce bush 

 fires know what exhausting work it is to stop a fire when it is 

 assisted by a high wind, and how difficult it is to beat It down 

 in high grass with the usual implements — green bushes or gunny 



