82 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



those proper to herself, to the subsequent offspring' of a different 

 male parentage. This idea is borne out by a great number of 

 important facts. * * * ^g tj^jg jg ^ point of great practical 

 importance it may be hoped that those who have the opportunity 

 of bringing observation to bear upon it, will not omit to do so," 



In the absence of more general and accurate observations directed 

 to this point, it is impossible to say to what extent the first male 

 produces impression upon subsequent progeny by other males. 

 There can be no doubt, however, but that such an impression is 

 made. The instances where it is of so marked and obvious a char- 

 acter as in some of those just related may be comparatively few, 

 yet there is abundant reason to believe, that although in a majority 

 of cases the effect may be less noticeable, it is not less real, and 

 demands the special attention of all breeders. 



AVhether tliis result is to be ascribed to inoculation of the system 

 of the female with the characteristics of the male through the foetus, 

 or to any other mode of operation, it is obviously of great advan- 

 tage for every breeder to know it and thereby both avoid error and 

 loss and secure profit. It is a matter which deserves thorough, 

 investigation and the observations should be minute and have 

 regard not only to peculiarities of form, but also to qualities and 

 characteristics not so obvious ; for instance there may be greater 

 or less hardiness, endurance or aptitude to fatten. These may be 

 usually more dependent on the dam, but the male is never without 

 a degree of influence upon them, and it is well established that 

 aptitude to fatten is usually communicated by the Short-horn bull 

 to crosses with cattle of mixed or mongrel origin which are often 

 very deficient in this desirable property. 



Mr. McGillivray says : "A knowledge of the fact must be of 

 the greatest benefit to the breeder in two ways, positively and 

 negatively. I have known very great disappointment and loss 

 result from allowing an inferior male to serve a first rate female — 

 the usefulness of such female being thereby forever destroj^ed. As 

 for the positive benefits arising from the inoculation — they are 

 obvious to any unbiased mind. Tlie black polled and Aberdeen- 

 shire cattle common to this country (Scotland) may be, and often 

 are, improved by the following plan : Select a good, well formed, 

 and healthy heifer — put her, in proper season, to a pure Short-horn 

 bull ; after the calf to this Durham bull, breed from the cow with 

 bulls of her own breed ; occasionally, and most likely the first time. 



