556 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



of breeding to hold his views in abeyance until he has more 

 fully examined the subject. At a time like this, when the sev- 

 eral breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry are each 

 gradually assuming a recognized and accepted color type, we 

 can not afford to disregard any influences that may tend to mar 

 the color or form, or quality of our favorite breed. 



The breeder of pure bred Percherons or Cleveland bays can 

 not afford to cross his pure bred mare with a horse of another 

 breed of a different color. The breeder of Berkshires can not 

 risk his best sows to be served by any but Berkshires of good 

 color, form, and breeding. The breeder of chickens can not 

 hope to keep a good name if he allows his light Brahmas or 

 Plymouth Rocks to mate with cocks of unknown and impure blood. 



The influence of first impregnation is far reaching, and the 

 filly chosen for a brood-mare should be crossed only by the pure 

 blood and best type of the breed and purpose for which she is 

 to be used. 



Soundness of Parents. Of all principles that should be 

 kept in mind by the breeder of horses, the first is, the sire and 

 dam should be free from disease. That constitution and endu- 

 rance, like weakness and disease, are inherited, no intelligent ob- 

 server or student denies. Because there are exceptions to this 

 rule does not make it safe to deviate from it. A sound horse 

 is far more likely to get sound colts than an unsound one. 

 Among the Arabs and the English, special stress was laid on 

 the soundness of the mare. 



Government inspection and license of stallions has been rec- 

 ommended as a means of improving the quality of horses. If 

 government inspectors were all sound in judgment and morals, 

 we might expect great good from the government inspection 

 of horses intended to be let for service. 



The method of stabling in damp, dark stables, in a vitiated 

 atmosphere, together with excessive strains on constitution arid 

 powers of horses by exposure to storms and extremes of 

 heat and cold, and sudden stopping in cold winds after vio- 

 lent and Wearing work, all tend to weaken the race of horses. 

 All artificial methods of keep and feed and work are abnormal 



