Imperial Valley press., 1912-09-20
AS BREEDING
GROUND FOR LIVESTOCK

Pacific Rural Press; On account of
foot and mouth disease, expectation of
livestock from Great Britain is now
prohibited, and the American importer
must look elSewh ere for his supplies.
This situation emphasizes the possibili-
ties of the Pacific coast as a nursery
and stud farm.
Just recently one of Americas 5 larg
est importers of livestock has select ed
two fiocks of the long wooled breed of
sheep to take the place of what would,
under ordinary circumstances, have
come from Great Britain. This is not
upon. 1t seems when foot and mouth
disease strikes England and, in fact,
amy OF the old countries, the first
thought that presents itself to the :m-
porter is, where will ! look next ~
Human nature seems to be the same
the world over, and naturally one
thinks of the farthest point on the
map. The importers well know that
been buying the very best of all breeds
and have been quietly working. The
st. Louis, Portland and Seattle exhibit
tions revealed to the world that the
equaled on the North American contI-
nent, presided they are handled by an
intelligeN breeder. Remember, the
herd that is in the best hands will
make the best showing, though usu-
ally the credit goes to the breed and
not to the breeder.
The Draft Horse
The world has demonstrated that a
heavy horse cannot be developed in d
high country. The heaviest breed of
horses on earth has been raised on
the succulent green grass of the low
the colt has nothing to do but eat and
grow. Where else on earth can we
find such conditions for the produc-
ton of the draft horses as prevail
tNgaF tVNTn Is.,l.
fornia, unless in Great Britain and
continental Europe? Our climate can
not be eXcelled; our grasses and feeds,
produced under irrigation, are perfect
and British trades demand horses of
distinctly different types. Here on the
coast we have the identical china tie
and environment that prevail at the
fountain head of the Percheron horse.
There are more Percherons in America
than any other breed; this coast should
be the nursery for American bred Per-
cheron studs. The writer has in mind
lot of Percheron mares and stations
on a California farm where they have
been bred and raised, which are per-
feet III conformation and finish. With
an expert filter who could condition
and put them in dress parade clothe es
they would at this moment stand at the
head of their class in any show ring
in America. The goods can be pro-
duced. We lack only men with the
Best Dairy Type
California, with her wonderful eli
mate, producing such worlds of sue
surpass the great meadow districts of
England and southern France for
growing of dairy stock. Our breed
ers should already be laying the foun-
dation for dairy herds, especially Hol-
stems Who among our breeders is to
be the Dollar or the Sangster of the
Pacific coast? No importations of Hol-
stein cattle have come to North Ameri-
ca from Holland for - years or more
on account of the ports being closed
for expectation because of foot and
mouth disease. Some territory must
produce new blood, if the breed is to
maintain it's high standard of excel
lency Are the breeders on the Pa
cifc coast working in this direction
or are we following the methods OF
our eastern brothers, "the pail and the
cow with a cast iron constitution thai
can Withstand the awful strain en-
dured in producing between 80 and Al
pounds of butter in seven days. Most
of these great cows usually become
physical wrecks after going through
this trying test One who follows the
pure bred dairy cattle market will see
that il is calves from these high rec
ord cows that are bringing the tor
prices. 1t might not be well to publish
in this article just how some of these
high records are attained, but one
thing is inevitable, that the day is
coming when new blood must be Sc
cured, and it will be needed badly.
Only recently the two great Hol'
stein associations in North America
were trying to get together to have
cattle from both associations received
for registration in their respective
herd books. Canadian breeders have
been taking this matter into account
and American breeders have been care
fully watching their work. Any mar
who is a close observer can take a triL
through the great herds of the east
and Canada and can see very quickly
what is being accomplished. American
breeders are losing sight of the future
of the breed by trying to make world
records with their best cows. Canadians
have been building up the future pres
ervation of the breed. Look over q
few of Canadas great Holstein herds
and see how uniformity and conforma-
tion have been maintained along will
rugged constitution and quality
Shall Canadians with growing sea
son Of only five months and sever'
extremes of climate) outdo the Pacif,
coast breeders? Surely not. If oul
men will raise to the occasion. Th'
! opportunity is now knocking at th'
door. Japan is buying Holsteins ant
the Pacific coast should be supplying
J them. Central America is demandini
good dairy cows; their market Is a
present here, but when the Panam;
canal is finished, New York will b,