The Photographic Society

pointed out the necessity for milk recording. This was the only method whereby poor yielding cows could be detected and removed from the herd, so improving the average yield of the herd. Mr. Brunton expressed a preference for line-breeding over inter-breeding, so keeping all the cows in the herd similar, without weakening the strain.

On 49th February Mr. R. Stephenson, assisted by a farmer grader and a butcher grader from York Cattle Market, spoke about cattle grading for beef. He said that the basis of the present scheme was live weight, coupled with an estimate of the killing-out percentage, that is the proportion of the animal estimated to be of use to the butcher. The price paid to the farmer is based on the grade into which the animal is placed. Grading is complicated by the fact that different scales of grading are laid down for different categories of cattle such as cow-heifers, beasts over 131 cwts., young bulls, cows and imported cattle.

On 5th March Mr. R. R. Pepperall, Secretary of the Milk Marketing Board, described the functions of the board which was founded in 1933. Its main work was to guarantee markets and prices for milk. In the main the board dealt with the buying, collection, and sale of all milk. The board provides facilities for hygienic milk production but it cannot enforce farmers to keep Tuberculin-free cattle, though if any farmer fails to maintain a high standard of hygiene his contract can be terminated, leaving him without any sale for his milk. The board owns a few creameries and grass driers and is responsible for the Artificial Insemination Centres, which have greatly improved the quality of British dairy herds.

On 26th March IMr. K. N. Findlay, M.B.E., Provincial Livestock Husbandry Officer, introduced two films on cattle breeding. He said that his work was to see that the statutory laws were administered in Yorkshire and Lancashire and this entailed the inspection of bulls, boars, and stallions before they were licensed for service. The first film "Breeding for Milk", stressed the need for Milk Recording, the culling • of the herd and the use of a good bull. The second film, "Breeding by Artificial Insemination", showed how an A.I. centre works. It emphasised the importance of such centres to the small farmer because it is now possible for him to have the use of a first-class bull without incurring the great expense involved in buying, housing, and feeding it. D.C.H.

As no internal lectures were planned for this term, the activities of the Sociey have centred round the York Camera Club. Many members attended the lectures, whose subjects ranged from Child Photography to Dufay Colour and were much enjoyed by all. 26