RANGE AND CATTLE MANAGEMENT DURING DROUGHT. 57 



following the drought, the cooperator, Mr. C. T. Turney, decided to 

 make a careful selection of breeding stock for both herds. From 

 a total of 3,458 head of breeding cows and excess yearlings and 

 2-year-old heifers which had accumulated, 1,750 of the best cows 

 and heifers were selected as the total breeding herd for the reserve. 

 Of these, 387 head 20 months old and up were selected for the special 

 herd, and 95 head of the best yearling heifers for a special test in 

 breeding. The 1,263 head remaining at that time constituted the 

 main breeding herd. 



The cows and heifers for the special herd were selected with the 

 object of securing the best individuals from the standpoint of breed- 

 ing, conformation, and Hereford markings, regardless of whether 

 they were offspring from the special 500 herd or the main herd of 

 the reserve. The exact number of cows and heifers selected from 

 the two herds for the new special herd was as follows : 



Cows retained from original 500 herd inclusive of re- 

 placement 67 head=17. 3 per cent 



Heifers, offspring from the 500 herd 174 head=45. per cent 



Heifers, offspring from the main herd of approxi- 

 mately 1,200 head 146 head=37. 7 per cent 



The total heifer branding in the experimental herd during the 

 years 1916 and 1917 was 354 head and in the main herd 836 head, so 

 that 49.1 per cent of the calves from the former were selected, while 

 only 17.4 per cent of the latter were chosen. This is approximately 

 3 to 1 in favor of the herd in which greatest effort had been made to 

 improve the grade. 



At the same time 95 of the yearling heifers were selected for a 

 special test. The best individuals were chosen regardless of the herd 

 they originated in. Out of the 95 head, 69 were from the 200 heifers 

 branded in the 500 herd in 1918. The remaining 26 head were from 

 302 heifers branded in the main herd in 1918. The ratio of selection 

 is approximately 4 to 1 in favor of the offspring of the selected 500 

 cows. 



In comparison with the original 500 special herd, the cows in the 

 reorganized herd of 387 head are all as good or better grade individ- 

 uals than the best of the former herd. The young cows show heavier 

 bone, better development of loin and hindquarters, and greater beef 

 conformation in general. Uniformity in grade and color is especially 

 striking. 



The general herd of 1,263 head are all characteristically Hereford, 

 comparing favorably with the original 500 herd. As compared to 

 the original main herd, all indications of common blood have been 

 eliminated, with a decided improvement in bone and beef conforma- 

 tion. The greatest single mark of improvement is the elimination of 



