FARM HUSBANDRY.

Matamata Record, Volume VII, Issue 580, 10 November 1924, Page 6

FARM HUSBANDRY.

THE SELECTION OF THE SIRE. There is a marked difference between selecting a sire and just buying one. In the latter case a breeder should he satisfied, and often is, if he gets a normal increase in his herd or flock, while the man who selects a new herd or flock header expects it to do him some good. He looks for improvement; he desires to go ahead. The breeding herd may be a trifle lacking in constitution; if-so select a bull that is strong in the heart, and is masculine enough to give some assurance that he will transmit the strength you \vre breeding for. Again, the breeding herd tending to coarseness, which frequently accompanies size, should be mated with ■■? smooth compact bull excelling in quality; a compromise in this regard may bring about the desired results.

There are dozens of defects in the females that may be remedied through the proper selection of a bull, and instances are not uncommon where the former sire stamped some undesirable characteristics on the young stock which should be got. rid of in ;he next generation. With more particular reference to dairy cattle, the selection of a sire affords a splendid opportunity for the improvement of the herd along >:he lines of production, and this is a very important factor in dairy cattle breeding. Individuality and backing of the right kind can be secured in one animal, and any breeder who sets out to obtain a new herd header and does not pay attention to the requirements of the breeding females as regard type and conformation as well as to the production which all are looking for, allows a golden opportunity to pass.

Owing to the rapid increase which cakes place in the woolled tribe the sheperd is in a position to alter the whole character of his ewe flock in a few short years! This change will be for good or for bad, just as good or bad judgment, or the lack of judgment, enters into the practice of mating. We have seen show flocks stand at the top one year and go down the next on account of the inferiority of the lambs due to an unwise cross. Type, .size, conformation, quality, character of wool, constitution, and general strength or vigour can be injured or improved by the influence of one ram. Surely it pays to select the flock header. With i;he pig careful selection of the boar is all important. The pig reproduces so rapidly that faulty stock are quickly mutiplied.