590 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



of heat are deep and lasting, and oftentimes sufficient to stamp 

 the progeny. Chicken fanciers, who breed to a feather, can 

 fill a volume with instances where their best bred fowls have 

 been injured by associating with ill marked or strange breeds 



Farmers, who would attain high excellence in their stock, 

 and poultry, will see to it that no such adverse influences as ill- 

 bred crosses or mongrel associates be allowed with their stock. 



Valuable Hints. Dr. A. S. Heath, president of the Farm- 

 ers' Club of the American Institute, New York, has given some 

 principles and facts of such great value, that we reproduce some 

 of them : 



" The structures of animals are especially adapted to their 

 demands arid natures, and vice versa. A special aptitude to 

 fatten is incompatible with ample milk production, in the race 

 of bovines ; and excessive weight of body and shortness of 

 limbs in the horse or hog is not suggestive of fleetness. Varia- 

 tion is observed in the readiness of animals to adapt themselves 

 to new conditions, and the changes it produces in them, and 

 especially by hereditary transmission to their offspring. 



" Cold, exposure, and neglect produce degeneration, while care, 

 shelter, and liberal feeding improve existing animals and their 

 expectant offspring. These good results may also be freely trans- 

 mitted to the progeny. Climate modifies both animals and plants. 

 In tropical climates, with rich soil, many of our small grasses attain 

 gigantic growth ; and in great altitudes, with poor soil, both plants 

 and animals are dwarfed. By judicious breeding, care, kindness, 

 and liberal feeding, all the animals and their products become 

 better. Milk is richer, meat is finer, beef and mutton more 

 tender and juicy, the very soil becomes fat, and the tiller 

 grows richer and richer. Generosity to man, beast, and soil is 

 profitable. 



" Breeding animals must be healthy, free from defects of form, 

 free from defects of constitution, free from predisposition to disease 

 or weakness, free from ill temper or bad habits, must have sound 

 digestive organs, and they must be capable of promptly and per- 

 fectly assimilating food. The breeder must intimately know the 

 capabilities and characteristics of his breeding animals, so as to 



