The Value of Pedigree.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 873, 23 November 1888, Page 19

The Value of Pedigree.

Pedigree has, without doubt, both its * uses and abuses,’ yet the' thanks of the world at large are due to the pains taken by the earlier breeders of both Shorthorns and other breeders of various kinds of live stock for the evidence which they plaoed on paper of the manner in which they had mated their animals. By degrees almost every distinct breed of cattle, sheep, horses, and pigs have become possessed of a stud-book of their own, and the value of such records has been amply verified by the enhanced —not to say fabulous—prices paid for stock entered therein. Our colonies, as well as European and other States, have for many years resorted to this country for males for the improve* ment of their stocks, doubtless owing to the care with which the recording of the pedigrees has always been attended to. Surely this is an encouragement for the founding of herd and stud books in those countries where they have not already done so, in the hope that they may be able to supply their own wants. In the case of cattle the mother country still is looked up to as the headquarters of the breeds, and even ih'Canada and the United States, to have imported a few animals from England imparts a certain standing to the owner’s herd, although quite as purely bred and good shaped cattle can. be bought in their own country for the same money. As the expense of a 90 days’ quarantine offers a serious cheek to the trade in pedigree cattle with North America, it is regretted for the sake of the English breeders that our ‘ Australian friends should have .deemed it necossary to extend that period by pver a month, althongh the voyage is of much greater length. Let us hope with the vigorous steps taken by the Government for the suppression of pleuro pneumonia these vexatious restrictions may either be abolished or relaxed. : i '

Although to a certain extent applicable to all kinds of live stock, the remarks contained in this article refer more particularly to the Shorthorn breed of cattle. The more easily bred the male, the more impressive be is usually found ; especially was this noticed in the use of many of the Dukes bred at Wetherby, while the same may be added of many of the Warlaby and Killerby bulls. The striking successes acquired by sons, daughters, grandsons,' and granddaughters of Killerby bulls in recent years has brought this prominently before the public. Many bulls—both Bates and Booth—have been used for their mere pedigree; in Borne instances their produoe have turned out satisfactory, through the reproduction of the good qualities of his ancestors, while in others nothing hut disaster has followed. Pedigree is certainly benefioial in showing the various sires and dams in an animal’s descent, but to say that such animals are to be bought unseen on- the mere fact of having a certain pedigree is another matter. Line breeding is possible, and even to bo desired under certain conditions, viz., that breeders will be careful to weed out their infirm pro* duce of both sex, so that nature may have to a certain extent its way, and the weakest succumb aB they would doubtless do. . ■ Line breeding is carried on to a greater extent than ever in this country ; surely as much good judgment is to be found on this side of the Atlantic as the other, as in America they have no Jaok of some of the purest branches of our leading Bates families. Indeed, it was Bad to hear a visitor from the States remark during the present week that he considered they had better Dutchesses than he had seen in this countiy. The question as to keeping rome record of the dairy qualities of pure-bred cattle will probably shortly come to the front.— Robert W. ASHBURNER. - '