The Future of Stock-Breeding.

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

The Future of StockBreeding.

, i Of.* late years there has beenamongat the farmers and breeders of this country a growing inclination to turn their . attention V-to pedigree stook, and trustworthy and reliable herd-books have been started by businesslike and enterprising men for almost every known breed in the kingdom. This; has already made a marked improvement on herds generally, and has also led to a good deal of energy and capital being expended in improving the different breeds by men who have but lately adopted them. That under the present fiscal policy England will become more and more a pastoral country, there can be no doubt, and this makes'all questions., connected with stock of growing importance. Herds are increasing in numbers and quality, and it never could be Baid with more truth than now that in England may be found the best flocks and herds in the world, and as cpm-growiog per se has ceased to be profitable not only in England, but all over the world, it may fairly be expected that abroad greater attention will also be paid tb stock and its improvement in the futnre. The Amerioans have for some time been following in our footsteps, and buying up. some of the highest priced animals to start or improve their herd* with. They have established herd-books and pay great attention to pedigree stock. A large .consignment of Guernsey oattle was lately imported by a gentleman into New York State,, and . there is also a large herd of the same breed, which is just now receiving great attention, established in Long Island. It may be hoped therefore that how the restrictions prohibiting the importation of stock into Australia and our other colonies are partially and on their way to bo wholly removed, our cattle and sheep may find a market in those parts of the world also. In a * country and climate so, well adapted for stock raising, no doubt if onoeonr colonists are induced to inaugurate herds, they will not be long in rivalling those of the mother country. , , _ : . Our leading agricultural societies now give substantial premiums for all kinds of live

stock, and it will generally be found that the winners of these are pedigree animals. The advantage of registering stock has long been recognised here, in faot the rapid improvement made in herds would scarcely have been effected without ifc< All, therefore, who are interested in pedigree stock, whether at home or in the colonies, should endeavour to get the restrictions before mentioned curtailed as much as possible, and to induce Governments to facilitate the importation of stook. Of course every country, must take all necessary precaution against receiving cattle suffering from disease, but the quaran-' tine of ninety days is rather a long period to keep stock at the arrival ports, and acts rather as an impediment to trade. That colonists will be well repaid by ob. taining some of the best of our animals there can exist no doubt; they will be able to begin as it were several steps up the ladder, and if once a good trade becomes opened with our colonies it would give suoh impetus to breeding as to lead to still greater improvement and development of herds at home. . .. It is unnecessary here to go into the respective merits of the different breeds of sheep and oattle as intending purchasers will best sift this matter for themselves ; suffice it to say that the Abordeen-Angus is recog. riised as a'first-class animal, both for quantity and; quality of flesh, while the Shorthorn has many admirers as being the best both for beef-making and dairy purposes. _ Herefords, Sussex, and Devons have all claims for consideration for the shambles, while the latter are the favourites where bullocks are used for tillage operations. For those who have a market for butter and cream the Channel Islands breeds are without rivals ; in this respect the Jersey and Guernseys being about equal, while for the butcher, especially they are not to be despised so much as some imagine. Of sheep the South Downs are best as regards quality both of wool and flesh. Hampshire Downs, though large-sized run them close for quality, and at this time is the most popular breed in the country. Dorset Horns are liked, and as they breed early are valuable in getting forward lambs for the market. Oxford ~Downs are somewhat larger and coarser than the Hampshire sheep, but of much the same type. Of the long-woolled sheep the Leicester, Romney Marsh, and Cotawold, are all good breeds, the latter being generally liked 1 best, and make an excellent cross with the Hampshire and other fine quality breeds. It is a good plan in starting a herd to try .one or two first-class animals, say -in-calf heifers. Of course more time is taken to get up a herd where it is decided to breed from a few animals at the commencement, but in this way the whole herd will go back to a common ancestry, and be more likely to be of the same type. Some may prefer to import a number of plain females, and by selecting the best sires only improve the herd so, but it will be found best in most instances to begin with good parents on both sides. G.L.