CHAPTER VIII. 

 ON BREEDING DAIRY CATTLE. 



The objects of the dairy -farmer, like those engaged in other com- 

 mercial pursuits, should always be followed on sound common-sense 

 lines, with a view to raising the most perfect stock and realising the 

 highest return. 



Generally, dairy farmers depend more on the products of their 

 herds in the form of the marketable values of milk, butter, or cheese 

 than on the sale of stock, which often comprise young cattle, horses, 

 pigs, poultry, and sheep the two latter classes of animal being, as a 

 rule grouped as subsidiary aids to the farm. They shape their opera- 

 tions more towards the raising of dairy products than the raising of 

 dairy cattle, in most instances limiting themselves to the production 

 of just sufficient animals to suit the requirements of the farm. All 

 practical dairymen, therefore, base their calculations on their sur- 

 roundings and the circumstances which govern soil, climate, anid 

 rainfall, and make for the productiveness or sterility of their farms. 

 The farmer has, then, to decide what breed is best adapted to return 

 a substantial profit, or as Bakewell happily expressed it : " The selec- 

 tion of the best machine for converting herbage and other cow food 

 into money. ' 



The difficulties of selection are narrowed down in most of our 

 dairying centres to two points namely, those of dairy tjype and con- 

 stitutional vigor. To buy or breed common animals of mixed quali- 

 ties and use them for any and for all purposes is too much like a 

 manufacturer of patent medicine advertising to cure all ills with the 

 same drug. Again, it is one thing to have a clear and definite aim 

 in view when commencing, but quite another to understand the means 

 that ought to be used. In practical experience there are many sad 

 disappointments. The experience, therefore, of any one man goes but 

 a little way towards a thorough knowledge. Despite tlic seeming 

 scantiness of what has been written on this subject, the knowledge 

 does exist somewhere ; not all that has been done by breeders has 

 found its way through the press. The improvement of herds has at- 

 tracted the attention of many dairymen for years past. 



Refinement of intellect is less an outstanding feature of successful 

 dairying than plodding, patient industry informed by sound judgment. 

 It is matter for regret that breeders have been so individualistic, as 

 if they were afraid others might profit by the knowledge ihey had 

 kibnricubly acquired. Beyond a few random commonplaces they have 

 left nothing to guide -future stock raisers. But observation of the 

 stock in use enables us to arrive at conclusions regarding systems. 

 This makes it safe to say that first by adopting a wide plan of selec- 

 tion, second by judicious coupling, and third by careful in-and-in 

 breeding, they obtained the type desired. 



It is absolutely necessary, however, to have ample scope ; without 

 suitable feed and pasture, breeders are simply courting failure. Ac 

 times abundance of feed is required to develop the milking qualities 

 of an animal. The chie.f art in breeding is breeding for dairy form 

 or type. Some authorities may be guided by what they can detect 

 in the head, others by their impression of the udder or teats ; others, 

 again, are swayed by the formation of the organs of digestion, while 

 many authorities take general appearance as their sole guide. One 

 of the first points to be considered in breeding is similarity. It is by 

 virtue of this law that the peculiar character, qualities, and properties 

 of the parents, whether external or internal, good or bad, healthy or 



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