AGRICULTURAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 103, 2 May 1914, Page 12

AGRICULTURAL

MORE ABOUT IN-BRI3EDING, Mr. John Marr, of Uppermill, tho wellknown brooder of Shorthorns, roconlly delivered an interesting lecture on Shorthorns at tho mooting of tho Aberdeen University Agricultural Discussion Society, his remarks being based entirely upon what had come within his own observation and experience. In regard to in- breeding, ho said there was no moro striking instance of tho severe penalty of extvomo and constant in-breeding than tho caso of the Bates favourite family of Duchessos, which became so weak in constitution and lacking in fertility that a herd of them would not increase in numbers; it took all the calves to replaca the deaths. When in-brocding was pursued to the extent of seriously injuring tho constitution of a herd thoro was no mote dangerous animal to use than a. bull tkua affected. A robußt constitution was the first and most important point. In a stook bull, which was usually accompanied by a high dogreo of fertility and longevity. Tho first bad effect of inbreeding was loss of size, and afterwards came impaired constitution and fertility. Remarking on tho likelihood of uniformity of type being disturbed by the introduction of a radical crose, and tho consequent indisposition of breeders to risk breaking up their favourite type, he said he believed it was generally recognised among breeders that the most satisfactory results were got when tho malo was not too big and tho females had plenty of room about thorn. Ho thought it was easier to breed a good one this way than tho opposite way. What they certainly wanted _ was to get vigorous constitutions, and this explained the immense importanco which breeders had lately attached to girth behind the Bhoulder and thickness through the heart as i, sign of it. A very small infusion of fresh blood, Mr. Marr paid, would correct the bad effects of a considerable lo* of size from ih-broeding. His own experience and observation led him to believo that one-eighth, one-Bix-teenth, or even one-thirty-second part would usually produce a very marked effect. There was no doubt that when inbreeding was accompanied by a concurrent test of muscular vigour and power, it would not be so harmful an when this test was wanting. The English thoroughbred was an instance of this, but at the same time ho was doubtful if any other breed produced such a largo proportion of weeds. Shorthorns are realising good prices all over Great Britain. At the Perth (Scotland) sale, 312 bulls averaged £84 13s 5d — a record. Mr. D. Maclennan purchased bulls to the value of £7727 for the Argentine, 170 guineas being the highest price. The majority ot the best animals were bought for South America. Tho heifer sales weio also very successful, the general average of the wholo sale being T872 9s 2d, or about £9 pei head better than in 1913. The recent Birkenhead (England)' outbreak of toot-and-mouth disease was an expensive one to the country. Over 4000 head of stock of various kißds were slaughtered. Mr. T. W. Russell, fot the Irish Agricultural Department, stated in tho Houbo of Commons that in spite of the utmost vigilance they had been unable to discover any trace of tho disease in Ireland. The mystery then is where it all comos from. Since Juno last to date, 152,458 cast* o! cheese have ' been shipped from Puteai and it is anticipated that 15,008 moro will bo sent away from there before the end of June. This, at £4 10k a case, reprwsents something lifcb £751,000. The" site selected for Feilding freezing works is near the bridge at Aorangi. The property is park of the Bulls estate acquired about fourteen year's ago for settlement by Government, The property U an ideal 'one, being near Aorangi station and on the • bank of the Oroua River, offering every facility for water supply and drainage, besides having thenecessary paddock accommodation. It is within a mile of Feilding; The Ashburton Guardian says: A practice has grown up of late years of soling for forward delivery produce which has not oven been sown. This system prevails in Victoria, whero farmers ofton i«ell uieir wheat before the seed is put into tho ground. The praotice has lately lnviided New Zealand, where it now affects the lamb market. It has not been an uncommon thing for sheep farmers, during the paßt few seasons, to sell for torward deliverr at a given price lambs which would not be born, for months after the salo was made. This is bargaining in futures with a vengeance. Yet tho practice is growing, for a Guardian representative has learned that a few days ago a gale ot a faimer'g next years lambs was made at 13s bd per head— dehrery to bo given in January, 1915. A grazier who has recently; been buying young cattle in the Waikato states that they are much cheaper there than in the southern portion of the island. Tho quality also is superior, for even where dairying is carried on large Shorthorn cattle are used. This season some Holstein blood was being introduced, which would not, however, affect the frames of the progeny. •(We hatt records which prove that the exploitation of child labour in dairying districts is still prevalent. Long hours of toil before and after school leave no space • for the glamour of youth, and tho, future of the children is enormously prejudiced by robbing them ot the educational advantages which, though provided at groat cost to the State, they cannot avail themselves of owing to the lassitude that accompanies their hours in school. -From the annual report of the Hawkes Bay Inspectors of Schools. "It is n sight in Chili to see fat cattle going to market,"' states Mr. F. J. Stratford, a New Zealander who has been for some years in Chili, to a Lyttelton Times reporter. "Sere* or eight diovore tnke. the herd and sot it going at full gallop for miles. The New Zealandcr would be horrified at jucb a proceeding, but tho character of tho Chilian farmer is lllusnated by that method, as well us by the deep-rooted belief that the only way to milk * cow is to tio up a cow and place her call on ono sido of her and the milkm&a on the other. There then follows a contest between Uie man and the calf loi the milk. Milking by any oi.hor muass is considered absurd. So you seewe want farmers with energy and knowledge over there, and I am sure that Xsew Zcalanders would do well. Its a real paradi&o for the farmer. ' At Tuesday's meeting of the Temuka and Geraldine A. and P. Association, an allegation was made against the winner of one of the hunter c classes at the recent show (says the Leader). The class was "Mare or gelding, calculated to make a hunter, for horees that have not been hunted, under five years." A member asserted that the winner of thi& class was considerably ovor five years old, probably eight years old. After an animated discussion as to whether , the judges or the class stewards Were to blame, it was decided to withhold the prize money from the owner of t the horse in question, ponding his signing a declaration as to the age of the horse. One of the stewards concerned in the matter enquired warmly : "Do you expect the stewards to go round and mouth all tho horses? Not for me!" Closer settlement (says the Ashburton' Guardian) has proved a boon to some. One 6ettler on what is known as_ Lowe's farni (between Lauriston and Mitchain), which was recently subdivided, tokl o reporter that this year he will clear £800 off 300 acres. The daily milk supply nl th« Mangatainoka cheese factory is slightly under 1000 gallons. This quantity is approximately 200 gallons more than was delivered for the corresponding period of last season. The test* arc exceptionally good, all tho suppliers, with the exception of three, having tests of 4.0 or orer. A pei'histent rumour is abroad that the freezing works proposal at Akitio is being taken up by a freezing firm in Hawkee Bay. It is said (according to the Ponga* roa correspondent of tin. Herald) that the settlers will not be required to subscribe enpilfti towards tko .project.