244 THE WORLD'S MEAT FUTURE 



adaptability of the Shorthorn, and also of his prepotency and 

 impressiveness as a sire. That other of the improved breeds 

 might have done equally well is not denied ; but in this case 

 the Shorthorn was the improved type used. It is proposed 

 to give details in regard to this successful herd, and to show 

 what is so apparent, viz. that the continual use of highly bred 

 hulls of sound constitution and excellent stamp has increased 

 the value per head of the cattle considerably, whilst turning 

 out an annual surplus of animals of the butcher type full grown 

 and fat at three to four years old, which, when killed, give 

 meaty carcases fully calculated to meet the demands of the 

 European market. 



Eleven years ago a commencement was made by Mr. L. S. 

 Meintjes with a small Shorthorn herd. Three years afterwards, 

 in conjunction with the African Farms Ltd., 500 breeding 

 heifers and cows were obtained, chiefly in the Cape Province, 

 and with the exception of some Friesland -Jersey crosses, a few 

 North Devons, and some nondescript animals from South- 

 West Africa, all the original cattle showed Shorthorn blood. 



"In 1907 the company started importing bulls, when two 

 Lincoln Reds were obtained, their breeding showing some 

 Coates Shorthorn blood. Since then only good, well-bred 

 Coates Shorthorns of the " Scotch " beef type have been used. 

 and all these bulls trace back directly or indirectly to the herd 

 of Mr. W. Duthie, of Collynie, and thence to the Cruickshank 

 herd. 



" Females have from time to time been imported. The first 

 batch of Lincoln Red females do not appear to have done well. 

 They did not maintain themselves in good condition. Nineteen 

 purebred Coates Shorthorn cows have also been imported for 

 the purpose of breeding bulls for use on the ranch, and for sale. 

 Such home-bred purebred bulls find a ready market. The 

 imported cattle, after becoming acclimatised, do just as well on 

 the veld as the grade cattle reared on the estate. Age for age, 

 the females bred on the ranch are equal in size to the imported 

 animals. The bulls are smaller, however, as no attempt is 

 made to force their maturity. 



" Taking the original mixed herd, each generation shows 

 some improvement over the original, but now and then a 



