Cattle-Breeding in Germany. [oct., 



becomes his property. In the event of its sale or death before 

 that time he receives a proportion of its value at the rate of 

 one-third for each year. When the term has expired and the loan 

 has been repaid the society can be reconstituted, and another bull 

 obtained in the same way. The loans range from £16 to £30. 

 Many variations exist of the method by which the loan is 

 granted. In some cases no repayment is demanded so long as 

 a suitable bull is maintained ; in others, a proportion of the 

 purchase price only is lent. In several of the Prussian provinces 

 the parish authorities act in the same way as these mutual 

 societies. 



Many agricultural chambers or central societies undertake the 

 insurance of the bulls at a rate varying from 2 to 4 per cent. 



In several districts also the agricultural chambers undertake 

 the supply of bulls direct to the societies. For instance, in 

 Brandenburg an arrangement has been made by which young 

 bulls are purchased and kept until they are of serviceable age. 

 Twice a year sales are held ; in the first place, to supply mutual 

 societies, &c, and if a sufficient stock is available, private 

 breeders also. The charge made depends on the actual cost, 

 the chamber bearing the expenses of the station. Prices some- 

 what below cost are accepted in the case of poor parishes and 

 societies. 



In Saxony two stations are maintained by the State, where 

 young bulls, which are purchased at six months and upwards, 

 are cared for until they reach 1 to i\ years, when they are sold 

 to mutual societies at about £10 under cost price, or to private 

 persons at cost price. In eight years these stations have 

 purchased 491 bulls of the Simmentalcr breed and 318 bulls 

 of the Oldenburg breed. They receive annually a grant of 

 j£i,4<oo. 



Breeding stations for the supply of high-class stock are also 

 maintained in some districts. In Baden four of these stations 

 exist, which received in 1904 a grant of ^"3,900. Each was 

 originally provided with from ten to twelve cows and one bull of 

 the first quality ; the herds were increased by breeding till they 

 contained twenty-five or thirty cows. The bulls produced, when 

 they reach a breeding age, are sold at a moderate price to 

 parishes and societies. 



