452 



Journal of Agriculture. 



[lo Aug., 1908. 



characteristics he transmits to the calves will be of more value and higher 

 (jualitv than those that come from the dam's side ; in this sense also, 

 the bull will be more than half the herd. If the bull is kept with the 

 same cows several years, each year he starts out a generation of calves, 

 m.ore than half of whose qualities were transmitted by him. But his 

 successor, of similar tyjDe and quality, mated to those improved heifer 

 calves, carries the improvement of the herd still further, and eliminates 

 defects that ha\e been derived from the dam's side. From generation 

 to generation the succession of improved sires introduced into dairy herds 

 goes on increasing and intensifying the improvement of fhe cows. It 

 is therefore only reasonable to expect that the bull used, may thus, within 

 a few years and at slight expense, com.pletelv transform a dairy herd of 

 cnws and more than double its profit. 



2. LADV SUPERIOR S PROGRESS. 



The property of Mr. W. Woodmason. 



I have heard farmers ascribe the principal influence to the bull, whilst, 

 others consider it is chiefly due to the female, and there are not wanting 

 illustrations that appear to support this theory. The freaks of nature 

 in these respects are certainly very curious, and farmers are often more 

 struck bv a remarkable exception than bv the rule, and are disposed to 

 found their theories accordingly. Facts, however, appear rather to 

 support an opposite doctrine. For example, tlie offspring of the male 

 ass and the mare resembles the former more than the latter. The long 

 ears, spare muscular development, narrow feet, and sluggish action, are 

 almost equal peculiarities of the mule and the ass, and strongly attest the 

 former's origin. Incidental l\. it is also surprising, too, what large 

 colts small mares will breed when begotten by horses of great size. 

 Ponv mares will thus rear stout cobs and galloways, and well bred mares, 

 about 15 hands high, will throw carriage horses of good size, if bred to 



