20 



When selecting a mature or aged bull, the purchaser should 

 first assure himself that the animal possesses plenty of vigour and 

 vitality. A soft hide and fine, silky hair, a bright eye and broad 

 forehead, a strong crest, broad, deep chest and good heart girth all 

 unite to declare the individual healthy, robust, and vigorous. No 

 coarseness or beefiness should be in evidence. An openness or 

 looseness of the bony system is desirable. The body should be large 

 and deep with well-sprung ribs indicating feeding capacity. The 

 quarters should be long and fairly broad; peakedness at the pins is 

 objectionable. The thighs should be well muscled but compara- 

 tively free from fat and the twist should be well split up. The 

 flank should be high, indicating room for a good udder on a cow 

 of similar conformation. A straight-away clean walk and stylish 

 appearance are very valuable features. 



MATURE BULLS BES1 



A very large proportion of our dairy farmers are prejudiced 

 against old or even against mature bulls. No more injurious practice 

 can be imagined than placing a succession of young bulls at the 

 head of the herd. Loss results in various ways. In the first place 

 the progeny are not likely to be as vigorous from an immat/uTe sire 

 as from a well-developed, fully-grown animal. Further, if it is desired 

 to really improve the herd the continuous changing of sires is likely 

 to detract materially from the uniformity of type and distinctive 

 peculiarities which must characterize all herds worthy the name of 

 'breeding herd.' 



So far as age influences the reproductive powers of the sire, it 

 may be said to be for the better rather than the reverse up to a fairly 

 advanced age at least. At the Experimental Farm here, bulls of 

 various breeds have been kept till 8 or 10 years old and proven quite 

 satisfactory up to the very last, invariably leaving strong, well- 

 developed calves. The writer knows of various bulls 10, 11, and 

 even 12 years old that are still leaving good stock. 



The objection is sometimes raised that old bulls are vicious and 

 hard to handle. This objection is occasionally well grounded. It 

 might in almost every case be overcome by giving the bull plenty 

 of exercise. Work on a tread power, work hauling some vehicle, 

 a run in a good large paddock, all wo"udd do much to soften the 

 temper, to ay nothing of improving his procreative powers. 



