1920.] Milk Recording in England and Wales. 845 



(4) To record particulars of the breeding of cows entered 

 in the Register with a view to encouraging the use of 

 pedigree bulls for grading up non-pedigree herds, so that 

 they may become eligible for recognised herd books in due 

 course. 



The first three volumes of this Register for the years ended 

 1st October, 1917, 1918 and 1919, have already been issued. 

 Volume 3 for the year 1919 contains particulars of 2,320 cows 

 and heifers. Copies can be purchased either direct or through 

 any bookseller from H.M. Stationery Office, Imperial House, 

 Kingsway, London, W.C.2, price 5s. net. 



The Ministry has also recently issued model rules for the 

 earmarking and registration of calves bred, and bulls used, by 

 members of Milk Recording Societies. This part of the 

 Scheme is entirely optional on the part of both the societies and 

 their members, but many are adopting it, as they recognise the 

 advantage of having calves and bulls officially marked. In 

 addition to the identification afforded by earmarking, records 

 are kept by the societies of each marked calf, showing the date 

 of its birth, its sire and dam, and also the milk yield of the 

 latter if a certificate has been issued in respect of it. Full 

 particulars are also recorded of the sires of the calves, provided 

 that the former are officially earmarked. 



The advantages of joining a Milk Recording Society may 

 be summarised as follows: — 



(1) A book and sheets for recording purposes, official certifi- 

 cates of the milk yield of cows, and the entry of recorded 

 cows in the Ministry's Register of Dairy Cows, are, at 

 present, all free of cost to members of societies. 



(2) Cows awarded official milk record certificates, and their 

 progeny, usually fetch more money, w^hen sold, than those 

 without such certificates. 



(3) Every member receives periodical visits from an officer 

 appointed by his society — known as a " Recorder " — 

 whose duties are to assist members by instructing them or 

 their employees how to keep the milk records, which the 

 Recorder himself checks. The Recorder also earmarks 

 every cow in the herd, by means of tattooing, with a 

 registered number which is a means of identification of the 

 cow for her life. 



(4) When a society adopts the iNIinistry's system of calf- 

 marking a member can also, if he wishes, have his calves 

 earmarked and registered. 



