1906.] Lmprovement of Live Stock in Ireland. 481 



the case of Galloway, Kerry, Dexter and Ayrshire bulls ;^io. 

 Each premium yearling bull is to serve not less than thirty cows 

 each, and all other premium bulls not less than forty cows each, 

 other than those that are the property of the owner of the bull. 

 The service fee for the number of cows stated is in all cases to 

 be IS. each, inclusive of all charges. After the minimum number 

 of cows have been served the ow^ner may fix such fee as he may 

 desire. Only cows belonging to farmers having holdings rated 

 below a sum fixed by the County Committee are eligible. 



The number of premium bulls in 1905 was 800, of which 602 

 were Shorthorns, 104 Aberdeen Angus, 69 Hereford, and 25 

 belonged to other breeds. The total sum expended was about 



;£"l2,000. 



Loans for the purchase of bulls were made in 147 cases. The 

 conditions are similar to those for horses. 



Swine —The scheme for encouraging improvement in the breeds 

 of swine is on very similar lines to the cattle scheme. Boars 

 selected for the first year's premium are to be not less than five 

 months nor more than twelve months old, the premium being 

 £$ for the first year and £^ for the second year. Each yearling 

 boar must serve not less than thirty sows, and each two-year-old 

 boar not less than foity sows. The service is is. for each sow. 



The number of premium boars was 205 in 1905, and ^845 

 was expended in premiums. The Department has made an 

 arrangement with County Committees for the purpose of 

 securing boars, whereby an applicant deposits £2 with the 

 County Committee, the balance of the price of the animal being 

 deducted from the amount of the premium at the end of the 

 season. 



Difficulty is still found in procuring suitable boars for the 

 purposes of the scheme, but a number of new herds have been 

 established by breeders in Ireland, and it is hoped that this will 

 in time get over the difficulty. 



