THE DAIRY COW.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1799, 29 August 1906, Page 54

THE DAIRY COW.

DOES CLOSE BREEDING INJURE

VITALITY ?

How to produce dairy cows so that two essential's and at least some of the secondary desirable characteristics are secured would be an easy matter if the mind oould be freed from fa do and fallacious theories. Many of the laws of breeding laid down in books are destitute of sound basis. One of the chief errors is the point claimed to indicate constitution. An animal ‘deep in the brisket, with broad shoulders and fore legs far apart, has no more stamina or endurance than one with a narrow, fllharp shoulder, and ewe neck. In fact, the latter, as a rule, has more nerve force, and. endures longer. So far as my observation goes, an animal with a good middle and carrying little surplus tissue is fitted for much work and a miximum period. The Channel Mand cattle and the Ayrshires are of this type, and are noted for longevity and staying qualities. They are also remarkably free from constitutional diseases. About five hundred animals have now been subjected ho the tuberculin test on the Island of Jersey, and not a single casta of tuberculosis was found.

Another difficulty in the way of securing uniformity of type is the prejudice against close or in-bnoediing. This has been practised on the Islands for nearly two centuries, but not with a view of establishing the two essential points indicated, though the cattle have them to a greater degree than any others. They are not uniform in this respect, because they have not been bred with those points especially in view. With the Island breeders a small-bodied cow with a dished face, full eye and fancy colour markings is more taking than one with a straight face, medium-sized eye, and a large middle. Fine bones, skin and coat count for much. It is now nearly 200 years since any outside blood had been admitted to the Islands, and yet their cattle are noted for their longevity and wonderful performance. Because of small area, the cattle have been intensely in-fcred, as a matter of necessity. Guernsey has an area of only about seventeen sections of land, and as Jersey cattle are excluded, in-breed-ing has been practised there more than on Jersey, and yet no one well-inform-ed, or having any regard for facts, will dispute their wonderful Staying qualities. Guernsey oows are larger than the Jerseys, which dhow that in-breed-ing does not reduce size, nor reduce

vitality. But the strongest evidence of the benefits that may be secured by judiciously holding together animals ot kin, are the records of Philip Daunsey, Harwood, England. For thirty 3ears he bred Jerseys without the introduction of an outoide sire, and kept him only long enough to get a i r^ ra the cow desired. At Harwood, U.b.A., was created the Rioter family-— from which come the famous St. Lamber cows of Canada, and the-great Eurotas strain in the States. There is ample evidence that close breeding, when accompanied by judicious selection, does not injure vitality. I would therefore oeJect animals having the two prime requisites!, and as many of tha other desirable points as possible, well defined, and breed them together mdefin-it-ely, regardless of kinship, uxughb some defect presented itself.—‘‘Station, Farm and Dairy.”