SCRUB COWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 241, 4 July 1908, Page 3

SCRUB COWS.

A JERSEY BREEDER REPLIES. : Sir,—Mr. Prouso's letter in yours of the 2nd inst. is amusing, but not convincing, ■ siuce ho ovidently has had very little experience of the better classes of pedigreed dairy cattle. Ho really wants the Jersey cow, for he describes her closoly. She is "healthy and vigorous," "of medium size," "a stayer," gives "a. milk test of 4," .and considerably over,' In her prime she frequently averages four gallons per day. ,A fair milker can milk twelvo cows per hour. Hor ancestors aro famed for. milk and butter production. Therefore, as Mr. Prouse says, her "podigreo is of some value." Now, I want to know where Mr. Prouse's ideal "scrubs" 'are! which will do the same for ,him. They must have no puro blood in them, or they will not be scrubs. It is really not ■ scrubs he ' wants, but pedigree cattle of superior aristocratic ancestry, and . ho is not particular about having a mediumsized animal.. ' As he warms to his work he describes three of his real ideals. ' (1) The pretty little Dexter. (2) The handsome Ayrshire. : And,:lastly, though ho does not name her, .the beautiful Jersey, tho golden green of his heart's desire. ' ' . , He does not mention other utility breeds, largo and bonyj like tho Holstoin and shorthorn, though the latter thrive vrelj on tho rich pastures and amidst the luxurious-sur-roundings of the Levin State Farm. In conclusion, I wish to repeat to Sir. Prouse the challenge I made to the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture at the National Dairy Show of last year..: I respectfully invite both gentlemen to enter animals bred on either the State farm at Lovin or on Mr. Prouso's homestead, and of pure-bred registered parentage on the sire s side ; for .the next Manawatu A. and P., Association's butter fat. competition, subject to tho same rules which obtained last :year. The cattle were in' the Association's care for ten days, fed on grass only, and were tested for milk and:fat production on the last four v days. In the event of their' accepting this challenge, I will send some purebred Jerseys oft equal age, so that the public may., have a demonstration of what the various animals can,

do. - . ■ • ' I will do this only, on the, express understanding that no prize-money is-to-be'ac-cepted should our exhibits win. The State will not show except for demonstration purposes. Will Mr. Prouse, who has bred dairy cattle for years, do'the same? I stipulate for registration on tho sire's side to ensuro purity of breeding, and to show what grade-progeny may yield in the nature of dairy products. If the animals are of unknowo parentage, how can farmors possibly know-'in what ;way they may breed . others like them?—l am, etc., v , A. BUCHANAN. Jersey Holmei Palmerston North, ... .- July 2, 1008. :