CATTLE BREEDING.

North Otago Times, 6 September 1906, Page 2 (Supplement)

CATTLE BREEDING.

Til Kill BREEDS*! AND MANAGE- '■■ ' ; ment. (From the Agricultural Journal of Western Australia. —-I .-■, SHORTHORNS. The most famous breed of cattle in' England, which have received the longest ami closest attention of breeders and improvers,' which havo commanded prices singly and in herds far above all others, and which have made the most general impression upon tlie live stock of the country during the I.9th century are tho Shorthorns or Durhnnis. •• The_ breed was probably originally formed several centuries ago by crossing the aboriginal British cows with large framed bulls imported from the Continent. Early Shorthorns were good milkers, and it may be presumed that they in part inherited that quality along with tho shortness of horn from their continental ancestors. Little is known of the breed, except from uncertain authority of tradition down to tlie early part of the IStli century, though it is only right to infer that long bofore this time great care and even skill had been bestowed upon it. The earliest records show that purity of breed was fully appreciated, and this important fact could not have been universal without previous experience- and attention,

The great county of York, extending along the Eastward coast of England, from tho River Humbcr to the Tees and Westward almost to the Irish Sen, has the honour of being the seat of the most noted cxiuiiriß-.s of improvement in British cattle. The aim of all the• improvers of, Shorthorns has been "to secure early maturity, size, form,'and becf-produ* cing qualities. "All is useless that is not beef," was the motto of an eminent breeder, and he has had many followers. Thomas Bates is the most noted of a few who have seemed most anxious to retain good milking capacity. The Shorthorns arc a beef breed and havo been so (or' genera* tions. They are classed among the beef 'breeds, in nil the great exhibitions, and as a breed do not pretend to be general purpose animals. But there have always been good dairy cows among them, and in England strains and families have been kept somewhat distinct and are known as "Milking Shorthorns." In point of gize the Shorthorns are probably the largest among pure breeds of cattle. In their modern form [\wy are not so tall, and have not so large a frame as some of their ancestors, but the lower, blockier, fuller form ..maintains tlie maximum weight. Bulls ordinarily weigh a ton and more sometimes running to 3,0001b. Mature cows range. from 1,200 to 1,6001b. The colour of (ho breed has always been red mid white, with various blending of these two, Many of the best among the early Shorthorns were pure white, but that colour has lost caste, and tho roan in England, and the red in America arc the favourite colours. The head is comparatively short, broad, finely finished, and attractive, the nose, lips and eyelids flesh-coloured and free from any dark markings, eyes clear, bright yet mild; ears thin, delicate, and j creamy colour inside; horns are [■short and blunt and moro or less curved downward, of a waxy-yellow throughout, free from black tips, lattcrally flattened and wide apart at the base; the neck is short and firm in the cow, heavy and well crested in the bull. The lines of the body are straight' with well filled points, broad lcpcl back, full loin, heavy thick buttocks, wide apart; brisket is wide and full; legs rather short, close, fine boned, and well proj portioned to size of body. In the milking strains the cows are rather more rangy and angular in outline, with large hairy udders, and good sized' teats, well placed, the skin over the whole body is flesh-coloured soft and oily to touch and covered with fine s'iorl hair. The animals are quiet and kind in disposition. Nearly all show evidence of long continued high breeding, and this has been carried to such nu extent in many instances as to become more or less delicacy of constitution. Although now latent in most lines-, there seems to be a dairy quality inherent in tlie breed whi h simc careful managers are able successfully to develop and propagate. . The Short 1 horn milk is of good quality, rather above the average ; the fat globules are of medium and fairly uniform sizeyso that cream separates easily, It is, however, rather pale in colour. • Herds of -10 cows gave averaged. 20 ( J lbs. of butter per year.

DEVONS. This breed originated from l)evonshire, England, and are cultivated for their beautiful form, activity, and their aptitude to fatten, which is unrivalled. These, arc known by their small head, yellow muzzle anil curly hair; the thick neck and welldeveloped chest. A great essential in beef animals being the depth of girth, which in this class is very well developed. The barrel is also deep and well rounded, being well ribbed upleaving every little space between the hips and ribs; this'be* tog regarded as a healthy constitutional sign and a propensity to fatten. The loins should be wide, the thighs full and long, and close, together when viewed from behind ; legs short and small; hide thin and mellow, but not too loose, and par? lieularl.v, well covered with line soft hair. .Tin favourite .'colour is a blood red. They ore a hardy .class of animal with an aptitude ; for.pulling on condition ;ns dairy cattle arc inferior to other breeds. The milk.it) however, good, mid yields more thaii the average quantity of cream and butter. •.■•.-■' HULLS. It is always advisable to secure a pure breed animal, and strong constitution should bo the main object in selection. He should always li« kept in good condition, without being over fat, Pampering is to be avoided. A certain amount of-huml * feeding is necessary before the season begins, and care should be taken not to overwork,