36G ^^^ Science of Breeding. [August, 



of quick growth and fattened readily. The Collings were men of 

 fine discernment, and spent most of their lives in producing a race 

 of cattle of perfect form. The story is well known of one of the 

 Collings' selecting and purchasing a calf that pleased him, from its 

 fine symmetry, and which laid the foundation of his celebrated Dur- 

 hams. There are a few highly gifted gentlemen in England who 

 are carrying out the principles of the Collings and who are des- 

 tined to be England's best breeders. The draught horse has been 

 the product of science. Animals of great bone and muscular power 

 were selected as breeders, and at every cross improvement was the 

 result. 



The fine race horse is also made by crossing with judgment. In 

 this country it is not supposed that more than one colt in forty, from 

 the best race horses, makes a good runner. An old breeder said the 

 other day, that "if a man in his lifetime was so fortunate as to raise 

 one good racer he did well." "What is the reason that more of the 

 mares put to good horses do not bring colts equal to their sires ? It 

 is because there is but little judgment in breeding. If a strange 

 horse comes into the country with "flaming" certificates, the people 

 conclude he is the animal for every shaped mare ; and the experiment 

 terminates in disappointment. A breeder may have a mare good in 

 all her points, except the leg is a little too long and the loin a little 

 too narrow, and if he puts her to a horse with the same defects in all 

 probability the offspring will be worse in these points than either 

 dam or sire. A mare put to a horse whose good points will correct 

 her bad ones in the offspring, may bring a fine animal; while if she 

 were put to a horse possessing her own ill shaped parts the progeny 

 would be obliged to be indifferent. 



So much is done by mere " accident" (if there is any such thing), 

 in this country, that we can but repeatedly call the attention of the 

 farmers to the subject of improving domestic animals. At a future 

 period we will endeavor to give a few short rules for crossing differ- 

 ent stock, which will be very useful to adhere to. But for the pres- 

 ent we urge upon the consideration of the agriculturist the import- 

 ance of providing good pastures, constant supplies of fresh water and 

 comfortable housing for their animals in bad weather. Good keep- 

 ing and scientific breeding will perform wonders. 



We would urge upon every stock raiser the above considerations. 

 If they were carefully observed we should soon witness most desi- 

 rable results in this important department. Ed. 



