44 DAIRY CATTLE AND MILK PRODUCTION 



prizes offered for the animals conforming nearest to the scale 

 of points. The breed began to improve more rapidly from 

 that time on. At the present time the cattle on the island 

 are a very uniform lot, but their average production is prob- 

 ably lower than that of equally good representatives of the 

 breed in America, largely because they are fed a less liberal 

 ration, especially of grain. 



Plan of Registration on the Island. The plan of registra- 

 tion of cattle on the Island is quite different from that fol- 

 lowed in America. Cows are registered as Pedigree Stock 

 and as Foundation Stock; bulls as Pedigree Stock only. 

 Within twenty-four hours after the birth of a heifer calf 

 which is to be registered, the owner must notify a member of 

 the Agricultural Department, who issues a certificate showing 

 the calf is from the cow claimed. This certificate, with one 

 from the owner of the sire, is filed with the Secretary of the 

 Register within six months. This is called preliminary 

 registration. 



Every two months examinations are held for the qualifica- 

 tion of these registered cattle. The cattle to be examined 

 are taken to the appointed place and examined by the judges. 

 If the heifers meet with the approval of the judges, they are 

 given qualification C., if commended, or if of exceptional 

 merit, they are given qualification H. C., high commended. 

 Cows in milk not registered under the first qualification may 

 be examined for foundation stock, and if passed, are registered 

 with the others. When a bull comes up for examination, his 

 dam must be shown also, and her qualifications are taken into 

 account before registering the bull. Animals passing these 

 examinations are given herd book numbers. 



Practically no milk or butter records are kept except one- 



