2'.' s MAINE .-TATE COLLEGE 



BREEDING STATISTICS. 



Db. F. L. Russell. 



The material for these statistics was obtained by sending out 

 blank forms to farmers all over the state. The animals reported 

 on were grades and full bloods of all the more common breeds of 

 cows and also comprise a large proportion of "natives." 



It is evident that the value of such statistics as these depends 

 upon the number of animals upon which they are based, and the 

 accuracy of the data. We make this brief report from the 

 material at hand, hoping that it may awaken such an interest in 

 the subject that a larger number than have heretofore done so 

 will fill out and return to me the blanks that will be mailed them 

 each year. This is a matter of general interest to farmers and 

 stock breeders and we would urge upon them the importance of 

 filling out the enclosed blanks as fully as possible. It is desired 

 that the weight of the calves shall be taken within twenty- four 

 hours of birth. Where conveniences are not at hand for doing 

 this, that item may be omitted, as an estimated weight is not 

 sufficiently accurate. We particularly desire that the last item 

 on the blank should be carefully considered. We would decide 

 the period of heat so as to include six or eight hours in the first 

 part, the last six or eight hours in the last part, and the rest we 

 would regard as the middle part of heat. 



The reports that have already been received indicate that there 

 may be some relation between the time of service and the sex of 

 the calf. If this should prove to be true, it is a matter of con- 

 siderable importance and we desire that great care be taken to 

 correctly record the time of service. 



The average period of gestation for 257 eowa reported was 

 three and one-half hours over forty weeks or 281.72 clays. For 

 the bull and heifer calves the average time was practically the 

 same, for the bulls 281.74 days and for the heifers 281. 09. The 

 shortest period, 243 days, resulted in a heifer calf. The tvro 

 longest periods were 303 and 304 days and the calves were both 

 bulls. Of the 257 calves 13a were bulls and 122 heifers. 



Of the 113 calves of which the weight at birth was given, the 

 average weight is found to be 73.02 lbs. The average weight of 



