RANGE AND CATTLE MANAGEMENT DURING DROUGHT. 57 
following the drought, the cooperator, Mr. C. T. Turney, decided to 
make a careful selection of breeding stock for both herds. From 
a total of 3,458 head of breeding cows and excess yearlings and 
2-year-old heifers which had accumulated, 1,750 of the best cows 
and heifers were selected as the total breeding herd for the reserve. 
Of these, 387 head 20 months old and up were selected for the special 
herd, and 95 head of the best yearling heifers for a special test in 
breeding. The 1,263 head remaining at that time constituted the 
main breeding herd. 
The cows and heifers for the special herd were selected with the 
object of securing the best individuals from the standpoint of breed- 
ing, conformation, and Hereford markings, regardless of whether 
they were offspring from the special 500 herd or the main herd of 
the reserve. The exact number of cows and heifers selected from 
the two herds for the new special herd was as follows: 
Cows retained from original 500 herd inclusive of re- 
JONG KCREVOOYSS 01) es 8 MR 2 Se Do ck BO ee lt et ee SA CS ee 67 head=17.3 per cent 
Heifers, offspring from the 500 herd____________ 174 head=45. 0 per cent 
Heifers, offspring from the main herd of approxi- 
mately a ZOOM beng as eo i ___ 146 head=37.7 per cent 
The total heifer branding in the experimental herd during the 
years 1916 and 1917 was 354 head and in the main herd 836 head, so 
that 49.1 per cent of the calves from the former were selected, while 
only 17.4 per cent of the latter were chosen. This is approximately 
3 to 1 in favor of the herd in which greatest effort had been made to 
improve the grade. 
At the same time 95 of the yearling heifers were selected for a 
special test. The best individuals were chosen regardless of the herd 
they originated in. Out of the 95 head, 69 were from the 200 heifers 
branded in the 500 herd in 1918. The remaining 26 head were from 
302 heifers branded in the main herd in 1918. The ratio of selection 
is approximately 4 to 1 in favor of the offspring of the selected 500 
COWS. | 
In comparison with the original 500 special herd, the cows in the 
reorganized herd of 387 head are all as good or better grade individ- 
uals than the best of the former herd. The young cows show heavier 
bone, better development of loin and hindquarters, and greater beef 
conformation in general. Uniformity in grade and color is especially 
striking. ° 
The general herd of 1,263 head are all characteristically Hereford, 
comparing favorably with the original 500 herd. As compared to 
the original main herd, all indications of common blood have been 
eliminated, with a decided improvement in bone and beef conforma- 
tion. The greatest single mark of improvement is the elimination of 
