THE RURAL, NEW-YORKER 
975 
Live Stock Notes 
Breeding and Developing Holsteins. 
Part I. 
[Read by Irving M. Avery before the Chester 
Co. Holstein Breeders’ Association at Westtown, 
Pa., June 12.] 
You are all doubtless ready to concede 
the truth of the well-worn breeders’ 
axiom: “the bull is half the herd.” 
Therefore let us commence with the pro¬ 
per selection of a desirable herd sire. 
First we want as nearly perfect an indi¬ 
vidual as possible—large, well set up, 
masculine and all that. However, quali¬ 
fications other than looks are vitally im¬ 
portant. If a bull lacks breeding and has 
nothing but good looks to transmit to his 
offspring he is of little value to the prac¬ 
tical dairyman. If, on the other hand, 
he is bred to perfection but lacks individ¬ 
uality and the power of getting handsome 
rugged calves, he is of about equal value. 
If he combines individuality with excel¬ 
lent breeding and A. R. O. performance, 
but lacks the power of transmitting 
either quality to his offspring, he is equal¬ 
ly undesirable. It is the inherent ability, 
known as prepotency, to transmit certain 
definite and highly desirable qualities, 
that we are all after and should keep in 
mind when selecting a herd sire. 
IIow may we best set about this sys¬ 
tematically and intelligently? First de¬ 
cide which particular family or combin¬ 
ation of blood you wish to breed from, 
next choose the particular sire from 
which you wish to breed, and finally se¬ 
lect (as far as your means allow) a bull 
from a dam that meets every requirement. 
In choosing a bull I should pay particu¬ 
lar attention first to the immediate dams 
in his pedigree, and then for three or 
four generations back, assuring myself 
that every one was a prolific and regular 
breeder, a satisfactory performer and the 
dam of good daughters. In the selection 
of foundation females I should reverse 
the order and pay particular attention to 
the sires, as shown by the performance 
of their daughters. To my mind a herd 
bull bred from several generations of pro¬ 
ducing A. R. O. dams, each showing con¬ 
sistent improvement over her prede¬ 
cessors, and all known to be regular 
breeders and persistent milkers, is far 
preferable to an animal bred from a phe¬ 
nomenally large record dam whose ances¬ 
tors have shown little or nothing. They 
may have been dairy wonders without op¬ 
portunity perhaps, but how can one be 
sure? The safest guarantee lies in the 
A. R. O. records. 
If past performance is satisfactory, 
then let individuality aid in selection; 
but I should always put performance 
first. By that I do not mean to suggest 
that a man should necessarily pick out 
a freak or a peculiar specimen; but I do 
believe that he should select an animal 
backed by at least three generations of 
producing ancestors of proven ability, 
even though such animal may not be of 
exactly correct show ring type (provided 
always that no inherited blemishes ap¬ 
pear) in preference to a showy and at¬ 
tractive individual of doubtful ability, 
whose immediate ancestors have been 
failures or non-producers. We are all en¬ 
gaged in dairy farming and we want re¬ 
sults at the pail. Few of us ever send 
an entry to the show ring. We all of 
course want fine individuals, but still 
more we want performers and producers. 
I’d rather own a sire that could put good 
udders on his daughters than one that 
could only get pretty horns or perfect tail 
settings. 
Any animal is liable to throw back, 
and is quite as likely to transmit the 
qualities of the great-grandsire or great- 
grand-dam as those of the sire or dam. 
Here is where the value of the A. R. O. 
record is demonstrated. Hence the ad¬ 
visability of breeding from a bull with 
as complete a list as possible of A. R. O. 
sires and dams. Let us consider just one 
other feature in the selection of our bull, 
viz: the age of his sire and dam at the 
time of his birth. To many this may 
seem a matter of small importance; but 
I believe, and indeed statistics and a 
study of the records will show, that in a 
majority of eases best results are obtained 
from the mating of mature animals of 
proven ability. So, all things being 
equal, I should give perference first to a 
bull from a mature sire and mature dam; 
second to one from a mature dam and an 
immature sire; and third to one from a 
mature sire and an immature dam, dis¬ 
regarding if possible the animal bred 
from a yearling sire and a young unde¬ 
veloped dam. I am often asked this 
question : “In selecting a herd bull would 
you give preference to a 25-pound mature 
dam as against a two-year-old with an 
equal record?” and I reply: “Guarantee 
me that the phenomenal two-year-old 
heifer will breed on and show consistent 
improvement year after year until ma¬ 
tured, and I’ll unhesitatingly say yes— 
otherwise no.” 
I am a firm believer in having a sys¬ 
tem and making a specialty and I be¬ 
lieve in systematic and definite line breed¬ 
ing with a particular object in view. In 
our case we have bent our energies to 
combining the blood of Dekol 2nd with 
that of King Segis, year after year, en¬ 
deavoring to increase size, capacity and 
the ability to produce increasing quanti¬ 
ties of milk testing in the neighborhood 
of four per cent. We try to keep in 
mind the ideal Holstein cow; and would 
rather develop an animal giving 600 
quarts of four per cent, milk than one 
capable of giving but 500 quarts which 
would test five per cent. I suppose a 
combination of the two extremes might 
be still more desirable, but somehow with 
us the higher they test the less they give, 
and possibly you have encountered the 
same experience. 
The Fly Pest. 
Flies pull down the dairy profits, and 
a spray pump with efficient solution will 
put nearly as much milk in the pail as 
will a good grain feed. The Department 
of Agriculture suggests a formula which 
will protect the cows from flies from 
five days to a week : One pound common 
laundry soap, four gallons water, one 
gallon of crude petroleum and four ounces 
of powdered naphthalin. The soap should 
be pared into thin shavings, dissolved in 
water by heating, and the naphthalin 
should be dissolved in the crude oil. The 
mixture_ of the two solutions should be 
placed in an old-fashioned dash churn 
and agitated for about 15 minutes. The 
mixture should be applied once or twice 
a week with a brush. It should be stir¬ 
red well before using. The time required 
to apply the solution is small, and the 
energy that cows use in fighting flies all 
day will be used for more profitable pur¬ 
poses. Any of the coal tar dips are good 
and they may be applied with a hand 
sprayer. They should be used on the 
horses, as horse comfort means more 
work. 
Silo Filling. 
How about silo filling this Fall, is it 
going to cost you as much as it did last 
year or will you too cut the corners and get 
the work done a little cheaper and fully 
as well? The Department of Agriculture 
has found that it has cost the Michigan 
and Wisconsin farmers 80 cents a ton to 
silo the corn crop. This may be increased 
by the use of inefficient machinery, and 
poor help, and the lack of team work 
between help, horses and silo filling out¬ 
fit. About eight men are required to 
do the work most efficiently. One man 
with three horses operates the corn 
harvester, two men to load wagons in 
the field, three or four men with teams 
to haul to the cutter, one man to feed 
the cutter and one man in the silo to 
spread and tramp silage. The labor mav 
be reduced by using one of the corn 
harvesters which is shown at some of the 
fairs, and which some farmers are using. 
This has an elevator and the teamster 
may drive along side of the harvester 
and secure his load easily. There will 
probably be more of these used in the 
future. There is also a low down truck 
with knife blades close to the ground, 
and this is considered a convenience be¬ 
cause it harvests and conveys the crop 
to the silo filler without extra team for 
the harvester. It is necessary, however, 
to become thoroughly used to harvesting 
corn in this way. A boy is needed to 
drive the truck, and a man to lay the 
fodder aside. 
The Brood Sow. 
The cost of maintenance of the brood 
sow is the same whether she raises one 
or a dozen pigs. It has been found that 
four is not far from the average number 
in a litter, and a brood sow cannot be 
kept profitably unless she produces six 
or seven pigs, and farrows twice each 
year. One reason which the University 
of Arizona says is the cause of small 
litters, is the breeding of sows too young. 
Let the sow mature. Frequently a sow is 
bred when she weighs no more than 100 
pounds. A sow should never be bred at 
less than nine months, and better at a 
year old, and if she is not fully developed 
she should not be bred until she is well 
matured. The old sow should not go to 
the pork barrel as long as she can pro¬ 
duce healthy pigs, keep her anyhow until 
the younger sows are mature enough to 
breed. A Tennessee sow is said to have 
been owned between 32 and 34 years by 
the same people, and raised over 900 
pigs, which shows that many sows are 
sold at the beginning of their usefulness. 
Anyhow she will be a good producer for 
six or eight years. The sow should have 
plenty of exercise. This is very im¬ 
portant. Give the sow run in pasture; 
give her a good yard, access to a field of 
rape, provide her with muscle and bone 
material and she will respond with more 
than twins or triplets. 
( Dogt 
andL Ferrets 
Pairs and dozen lots. Stamp f 
rerreis Price list. CALVIN JEWELL. Spencer. 
Fprret^ for Sale Either color, large or 
r errets roroaie snia „. matedpairsord(r/fin 
lots. Choice stock. C. H. Keefer & Co.. Greenwich. Ohio 
Collie Pups 7 ™? 1(1 * r 
intelligent kind. Also Bloo. 
Nelson's, Grove City, Pi 
FOX, COON, SKUNK AND RABBIT HOUNDS 
broke to gun and field, by experienced hunters. 
Loon fox and rabbit hound pups, and extra fine 
ones, *5 each. Order now and he acquainted with 
your dog by hunting season. Stamp for photos, 
it. t. miLE, _ Fredericksburg, Ohio 
sale— 0 ne Hundred Head of Breeding Ewes7^ 0 f® 
two to six years. Also Thirty head of ANGORA GOATS. 
FRANK ELLIOTT, - Greenwood, Del. 
I ~ fit WUNTIE 
FOR PURE BRED TAMWORTH SWINE 
write or visit WEST VIEW STOCK FARM. R. 
F. I). No. 1, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 
Large English Yorkshire Pigs |“d w f e o 8 M: 
ton, N. Y., $10. 10% discount for three or more. Trios not 
akin. Service boars. FRANK T00KE Morne,light Farm, Hamilton,N.T. 
When you write advertisers mention 
The R. N.-Y. and you'll get a quick 
reply and a "square deal.” See guaran¬ 
tee editorial page. : : : ; 
S A?E-Large Y orkshire Boar-?, “^7 0 ^ nt ° A f 
good one. LOUIS A. HOLT, Lawrence, Mass. 
Chester Whites and O.I.C’s 
Gilts, Bred sows, and Spring pigs. Ser¬ 
vice boars, Summer pigs. Registered 
in Chester White or O. I. C. Record. 
VICTOR FARMS, Bellvale, New York 
Chester White Bred Sowst^ 61 '””',!* ft®; 
OLIYEDALE FARM, Hillsdale, New York 
BFRKSHIRFST Tho l°ng, deep, heavy, bone type, 
utnaoilinco Grown for breeders and guaranteed ns 
represented. Prices right. A. C. HOOPER, Bozman, Md. 
Discriminating Buyers Satisfied Fann iShTres. 
All fashionable families; outstanding individuals. 
Orders for export given especial care. 
R. Y. BUCKLEY, "Woodrow”, Broad Axe 
Pa. 
LARGE BERKSHIRES AT HIGHW00D 
Eight young bred sows, sold by us to William Riis, 
of Buenos Aires, Argentina, farrowed seventy-one 
live pigs, their first litters: after being on shipboard 
sixty days and traveling 9,000 miles. Selected boars 
and bred SOWS for sale. H. Q. * H. B. Harpending, Dundee, N.T 
Springbank Berkshires 
Nothing for sale but big March and April PIGS. 
r 
CA.TTLE ' 
Meridale Jerseys 
For Sale: Bull No. 2660 
Ready for service, solid fawn in color, 
straight in outlines, fine in finish, hand¬ 
some in every detail. His dam has just 
completed a yearly record of 9174 lbs. 
milk, 610 lbs. butter. She is double¬ 
grand-daughter of Sayda’s Heir 45360. 
and carries 75% the blood of Sayda’s 
Queen of Ventnor 168033, 
x the world’s record cow, all 
' A breeds, at twelve years old. 
For pedigree and Meridale 
booklet, address 
ayer & McKinney 
300 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 
HOME FARM 
LENOX, MASS. 
We now offer an exceptional chance TO THOSE 
WHO DESIRE TO IMPROVE THEIR HERDS WITH 
SOME NEW ENGLAND GROWN JERSEYS, the 
kind that have constitution and vigor, as well as 
deep milking and butter producing capacity. All 
animals sold out of State will be accompanied with 
certificate of health as required by law. Have never 
had a case of tuberculosis in the herd. 
Wo offer for oalo the followings 
1 oow 3-yri. old ; 1 cow, 5-yrs. old; 1 oow, 6 yrs. 
old; all in calf to Bosnians' Choice, No. 1 06246, 
bought from C. I. Hudson, Esq., for StSOO.OO. 
We also havo the following Bulls for salo : 
Jaqueline’s Croy Fox, No. 117375. This bull Is 
a lino specimen In every way. Is two years old and 
ready lor sorvioe. Also, 1 bull, I-yr. old; 1 bull, 
6-mos. old; I bull, 5-mos. old, and 2 bulls, 3-mos. 
old Several of theso bulls aro sired by Bosnians' 
Choico, No. 1 06246. For further information write to 
JAMES A. REBURN, Supt. 
Homo Farm, Lenox Mass. 
Kxxs for Hatching. Send for descriptive circular and prices. 
EDWARD WALTER, Dept. R, Eureka Stock Farm, West Chester, Penna. 
IX o 
8ES 
t_ 
Highland View Stock Farm 
Our barns are filled with the best Percheron and 
Belgians at the lowest prices. 
0. N. WILSON, Prop., - Kittanning, Pa. 
100 Percheron and Belgian Stallions 
MARES AND HOLSTEIN CATTLE. 
Also SHETLAND PONIES. Free circular. 
A. YV. GREEN, - Middlefield, Ohio 
Shetland Ponies7. H k ?“ T ^?& 
herd iu liigguat Shetland Producing County in U. S. $5U to $150 
COR SALE—Registered Percheron Stallion 
■ Colt—one year old; Sire, Westwood Don. Sound 
ami good conformation. E. W. Thompson,Factoryville. Pa. 
For Sale-One Registered Grey Percheron Stallion 
two years old and sound. A proven breeder. This 
is a show horse—weight, 1,700 lbs. Can trot like a 
Hackney. Price on request. JAMES MAGNER, Mor., 
P. 0. GLEN SPEY, - - SULLIVAN CO., N. Y. 
AN OLD-FASHIONED 
MORGAN BROOD MARE FOR SALE 
due to foal Aug. 1, to the sei-vice of ” Gen. Gates.” 
Premier stallion at the U. S. Morgan Horse farm. 
Mare will be rebred without extra expense if pur¬ 
chaser desires. This is a rare chance to raise up a 
valuable young team of Morgans. 
L, C. LITCHFIELD, . Middlebury, Vt. 
fpAIIl T £ 
penny FOR CFRUIPF~ PRICES < $7b.oo to siso oo 
If CHUT ruit dClfVIvC Registered Holstein and 
Jersey Bulls. Splendid individuals with great 
backing. Best blood in the land. Also younger bull 
calves. Write for list. HOMEWOOD FARMS, RYE, N. Y. 
Holstein-Friesian Bull Calves F f °o? a ' e “Yi a! 
offer. THE GATES HOMESTEAD FARM. Cllittenaiioo, N. Y. 
FOR SALE 
Otterkill F arm Ayrshires 
15 young bulls, all ages, and well bred, from import¬ 
ed sire Howies Predominant, imported three years 
ago. who was Ltred by Robert Wallace Auchenbrain. 
He is also for sale. Prices to suit the buyer. Address 
RUDOLPH HESS, Mgr., Washingtonville, Orange Co. N. Y. 
HOLSTEIN BULL CALVES Hex 1'iintiac. 
34.09, seven days, 30 days, 134.06. They are extra good 
individuals, all from A. H. O dams. Write for pedi¬ 
grees and prices. TUB TATES FARMS, Orehard Park, N, Y. 
FOR SALE 
Finely Bred,Well Marked Guernsey BullCalf 
S25. Hawthorn Farm, YVilliamsvllle, N. Y. 
J. E. WATSON, - Marbledale, Conn. 
Woodbury Farm 
Registered Berkshires 
BOARS—YEARLINGS AND OLDER 
SOWS—THIS SPRING AND YEARLINGS 
Overstocked, account recent foot and mouth quaran¬ 
tine. Low prices to movo them. Roal bargains. 
REGISTERED HAMPSHIRE SHEEP — Early ewe 
lambs, yearlings and older ; several fine rams. 
Must reduce flock. 
J. W. WEBB, Syossot, Long Island 
Come and see them. Visitors welcome and correspondence invited 
TWO JERSEY BULLS 
Fairy Boy’s Noble, 98152: a splendid 
grandam of Noble of Oakland. 4 
yrs. old. 
Rockhill Oakland Noble, 125239: a son 
of above. An excellent young bull_ 
good enough to win in the ring. 18 
mos. old. 
Also a few very promising heifers. 
Write for prices, pedigrees, and photographs—or, 
better yet, come and see us. 
GILBERT M. TUCKER, Jr.. Rockhill Farm, Glenmont, N.Y. 
80 Registered 
Chester White Pigs 
10 wks. to 8 mo8. old; 7 
Jersey Heifers 2 to t yrs. 
old; 4 bull calves 2 to 4 
mos. old. Collie Puppies. 
A variety of Poultry and 1 
H V A'' 
Jersey Bulls 
We have at present several bull calves, sired by im¬ 
ported and home-bred sires and from dams milking 
18 to 23 qts. of 5% to 6% milk, which will be sold at 
Farmers prices. Ulsterdorp Farms, Hitrh- 
land, N.Y. (One Mile from Poughkeepsie Ferry.) 
JFRSFYS -Heifer hmlBull Calves, $50 to $100 
13 p red Heifers and Cows. $100 to $250: 
Heavy producing Imp. and Reg. of Merit Stock, blood 
—Eminent Italeigh, Gamboges Knight, Oxford Lad’s 
.A!i, S A'“?b' °ff <M ' p d backed by Official butter records! 
OAKYVOOl) FARM, K. 3, Newburgh, N. Y. 
FOR PRODUCTION P ED up , N , 0T D0WN - 
, i «i»«wilVll Registered Jersey bull 
calves, only, from producing dams and highest type 
sires. R. F. SHANNON, B03 Renshaw Bldo., Pittsburoh. Pa. 
RtcHLY S B°R M E 0 E Yearling Jersey Bull y .1.0 
calf, nearly ready for light service. Botli from 
heavy producing, Register of Merit stock. Cheap 
quality considered, S HEOMET FARM. Winchester, N. h! 
Spot Farm Holsteins 
16 registered heifer calves 2 to 8 months old, $1500. 
5 registered bulls 2 to 8 months old, $35 to $100 each. 
1 carload of registered cows at farmers’ prices. 
1 carload of grade yearlings & 2-year-olds. $10 each. 
Grade cows, $6U up. 
% Holstein heifer and bull calves, $15 each, ex¬ 
press paid In lots of 5. 
REAGAN BROS., Tully, N. Y. 
East River Grade Holsteins For Sale 
100 Extra high grade Holstein cows served 
to come fresh In Aug . Sept, and Oct. 
Served to Keg. bulls. They are milking 
good now. Come and see them milked. 
Reg. bulls ready for use. 
JOHN B. WEBSTER, 
Dept. Y, Cortland, N. Y. Bell Phone 14. F. 5. 
CHENANGO COUNTY COWS 
High Grade and Registered 
HOLSTEINS— Several Hundred 
now listed for sale by our members. These are 
mostly fall cows, but include many pure-bred 
heifers and bulls. Chenango has the most dairy 
cows to the square mile of any county in the 
state. We have had no foot and mouth disease. 
For further information write or call at 
FARM BUREAU, - Norwich, N. Y. 
Ontario Dekol Freeman 
superb Holstein bull, bom Sept. 21,1911; sire, 35.61 
lb. bull; dam, A. R. O. heifer, fine breeding; price, 
for quick sale, $2(10. Send for pedigree. No disease 
in our locality. Cloverdale Farm, Charlotte. N. Y. 
SPRINGDALE FARMS 
Holsteins. 300 fancy cows and heifers to select 
from. F. P. Saunders & Son, Cortland, N.Y. 
Ho ktfiin Sprvirp Rn||- Gi an dsonsot Pontiac Korn- 
nuisiem OtjrYlUJ DUII dyl . e and King i8egis (one 
to 16 mo. old.) If yon are looking for the blood 
which produces world champion cows, write to 
Ir? S. Jarvis, Hartwich Seminary. N. Y. Prices moderate 
