560 CATTLE AND DAIRY FARMING. 



vote special attention to the improvement of tlieir herds upon scientific 

 principles, audi as yet, the number able to state, with atiy degree of def- 

 initeness, the particular merits or demerits of any certain breed, reduced 

 to figures, is indeed limited. 



It is evident that this level, moist, generous, pasture-producing coun- 

 try is admirably adapted to stock-raising, as with the common, or 

 " "scrub " animals, interspersed with a small number of good grades and 

 occasionally a few thoroughbreds, it bears an enviable reputation as a 

 cheese and butter producing district, and one that is fully justified by 

 the large and continually increasing output of the factories. Until re- 

 cently the farmers had not awakened to the advantages to be derived 

 from securing (he best and most profitable fodder utilizers to consume 

 the surplus ieed of the farm. 



The Ontario government has extended every encoura gement to stock- 

 raisers, and maintains, at a considerable annual outlay, an agriculturnl 

 college and model farm at G-uelph, where stock-breeding on scientific 

 principles receives merited attention. The advantages afforded by this 

 institution would, from the number of its students, seem to be fully ap- 

 preciated by the agricultural community. Its teachings and reports, 

 which are freely circulated, furnish information as to the relative qual- 

 ities of the various breeds of cattle, &c., not easily attainable by the 

 average farmer, tew of whom have either facilities or jiatience to insti- 

 tute the comparisons there conducted, and which are so useful to the 

 herd-owner. 



The number of thoroughbreds in this district is not inconsiderable; 

 and most of them are selected, imported males. The favorite shipping 

 animal is the Durham grade — either a first or second cross of a pure 

 breed male on a common or grade cow — which is in general favor. The 

 peculiar merits claimed for it are rapid growth, early maturity, and 

 large size. Some phenomenal weights are on record, and at a period 

 when the " scrub" animal is too young for profitable fattening. 



The Ayrshire is in high esteem by dairymen, and iiroduces excellent 

 general-purpose grades from thoroughbred Durham males. 



The native, or Canadian breed — the old bush rambling cow, with per- 

 haps a strain of liner blood — is a good milker and to a Shorthorn bull 

 produces excellent general-purpose stock, remarkable for hardihood and 

 milking qualities, under conditions of temperature and diet ruinous to 

 a thoroughbred. 



What ijreeders in this locality are anxious to secure is — (1) a weight- 

 carrying frame ; (2) an early maturer, say from two to three years ; 

 (3) a good fora er ; (4) fine flesh and minimum offal ; (5) sure breeders 

 ana good nurses. 



Extensive observation by the largest breeders here confirm them in 

 favor of — (1) Shorthorn grades for weight, early maturing and stall feed- 

 ing ; {2) Hereford grades for hardiness and grazing disposition; (3) Aber- 

 deen Poll grades for an even average ; (4) Galloway grades for hardi- 

 ness and fine flesh; (5) Devon grades for good nursing and sure breed- 

 ing. 



