THE COLOR. 103 



have no doubt that it is a point to be taken into consideration. 

 I am satisfied that the best animal for breeding will be found to 

 be that which approaches most nearly to the primitive, natural 

 color of the animal. Now what is the natural color of a horse ? 

 I do not know. The wild horses, in their primitive condition, 

 are not known with certainty ; but we have a great many species 

 of that genus which are known as wild. We know several kinds 

 of wild donkeys, the wild horse of Africa, the zebra, &c. They 

 are either gray, or, sometimes, a brownish gray, or they are fox 

 color mixed with gray. These are the natural tints, and there- 

 fore I would say that the grayish-brown horses are those which 

 approach the primitive color of the species most nearly, and that 

 would probably be the best color for animals to be used for 

 breeding purposes. But that is merely theoretical. I should 

 like to learn from the practical farmers here present what has 

 been their experience with reference to. this point, and also to 

 the point I have previously touched upon — the influence of the 

 male upon the progeny. 



Mr. Stedman. I can speak with reference to the last question 

 which the gentleman asks — the influence of color upon cattle. 

 I have been a breeder of Shorthorns. Some of the best of these 

 cattle are entirely white, and I have never discovered any weak- 

 ness about their eyes. I think if there ts any difference, it is in 

 their favor, as kindly feeders. But it is a color we do not desire. 

 It is not fashionable, and we avoid it as much as possible. It is 

 said by those who are the best authority, that no Shorthorn 

 exists without some white. I thought, when that fact was first 

 mentioned to me, that I knew exceptions ; but on examining 

 those which I supposed to be purely red, I found about them 

 some parts more or less white. 



With regard to the influence of the first impregnation, I have 

 no doubt that it has an important bearing upon the progeny. 

 I have known some of the best bred animals that were thus con- 

 taminated. They showed it distinctly in their future offspring. 

 And here I will state one fact which the Professor has not men- 

 tioned. The effect does not always crop out sensibly ; we do 

 not always see it. A Shorthorn cow, which has thus been con- 

 taminated, may, after being delivered of that impregnation, 

 produce several apparently well-bred Shorthorn calves ; but 

 eventually, she will have one in which the evidence of that first 



