Red  Poll  Cattle. 
53 
He  also  believes  that  in  the  case  of  a breed  which  inherits 
flesh-making  characteristics  there  is  a decline  of  butter  fat  in 
the  milk  if  the  cow  loses  flesh  (in  other  words,  body  fat), 
unless  the  milk  yield  declines  rapidly  as  well. 
The  Suffolk  Agricultural  Association  has  offered  prizes  for 
the  best  milking  cows  to  be  judged  on  a scale  of  points  similar 
to  that  of  the  B.D.F.A.,  and  the  Red  Polls  invariably  compare 
favourably  with  other  breeds. 
In  1908,  in  a special  class  of  Red  Polls  (11  entries),  the 
percentage  of  butter  fat  was  very  satisfactory,  the  average 
being  3-95. 
In  the  two  next  years  the  class  was  open,  and  in  1909 
the  Red  Polls  came  out  top,  while  in  1910  the  verdict  was 
reversed. 
The  average  percentage  of  butter  fat  and  points  gained  are 
appended  : — 
Percentage  of 
butter  fat 
Average  points 
gained 
1909 
5 Red  Polls 
38 
134-59 
3 others  (2  Jerseys) 
39 
11604 
1910 
5 Red  Polls 
4-21 
12103 
5 others  (2  Jerseys) 
4-24 
128-62 
In  the  above  competitions,  as  far  as  Red  Polls  are  concerned, 
the  contest  lay  almost  entirely  between  the  famous  Rendlesliam 
and  Sudbourn  herds,  and  it  is  worth  noting  that  both  herds 
have  been  developed  on  similar  lines — both  are  primarily 
intended  for  the  production  of  milk  ; careful  milk  records  are 
kept ; the  B (Biddell)  group  largely  predominates  ; heifers  are 
bred  rather  early.  The  success  of  both  in  breeding  milk-pro- 
ducers is  proved  by  the  number  of  prizes  won  by  the  two  herds 
at  the  B.D.F.A.  and  other  Shows. 
For  instance,  at  the  London  Dairy  Show,  1909,  with  the 
exception  of  a second  prize  won  by  Lord  Radnor  with  Mona 
8083  W3,  all  the  others,  including  Reserves  and  H.C.,  were 
shared  among  Mr.  K.  Clark  and  the  Smiths,  father  and  son. 
The  above-mentioned  Mona  won  first  prize  for  milking  at  the 
London  Dairy  Show,  1907  and  1910,  and  she  is  not  by  any 
means  the  only  prize  winner  in  the  Longford  Castle  herd. 
It  is  a pleasure  to  see  Red  Polls  reinstated  at  Easton  Park,  and 
to  congratulate  the  Marchioness  of  Graham  on  the  possession  of 
several  prize  winners,  including  Warwick  9515,  a fine  bull 
bred  by  Mr.  Arkwright,  and  Champion  in  1909  at  the  R.A.S.E. 
and  County  Shows. 
Two  herds  which  have  been  formed  during  recent  years, 
and  which  have  done  much  to  improve  the  breed,  are  those 
