592 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



mind by the breeder ; the laws of variation, correlation, atavism, 

 to the effect of climatic and telluric influences, care, kindness, 

 feeding, and many other circumstances favorable or unfavorable 

 to the modeling of form, to the production of animal products, 

 to the perfection and perpetuation of desirable qualities, and the 

 judgment, sagacity, and indomitable perseverance of the breeder 

 must often be taxed to the utmost limit of human tolerance. 



Though pure-bred animals are most desirable to breed from, 

 yet in the great herds of the West there are few pure-blooded 

 females to produce the vast herds and flocks imperatively de- 

 manded. We must therefore select the purest male animals to 

 cross on our common females ; and upon our best females of the 

 first produce to breed up by the use of the same male, or one 

 of like purity of blood. In-and-in breeding need not be feared 

 if the selection be judicious, and the process be not too long 

 continued. But the mistake too often committed in careless, 

 thoughtless breeding is, the use of grade males. Grade females 

 are indispensable in extensive breeding ; but a breeder had bet- 

 ter mortgage his farm, if need be, to secure pure-bred male 

 stock-animals, than to use unreliable grades that can not trans- 

 mit with any degree of certainty the good qualities they may 

 possess, and one too apt to transmit defects. If size is desired, 

 as a general rule, breed from mature animals. But for milk 

 production, in all animals, early breeding is most essential. 

 Cows are not profitable after eight or nine years of age, for any 

 purpose, unless they be of extraordinary excellence. Ewes 

 cease to be at their best at the same age as cows, though, if 

 highly bred and valuable, they may still be further bred. Mares 

 have brought forth the most valuable foals between the ages of 

 four and fifteen years. 



Low, rich, succulent pastures are best suited for large, heavy 

 animals; small, active animals to high, thin, dry pastures. Lux- 

 urious feeding diminishes hardiness. Low, wet, pastures pro- 

 duce big, coarse bones, and large, flat feet in horses. In the 

 wild state the strongest males only beget offspring. 



Improvement in breeding goes step by step to the highest 

 point of excellence. " Prof. Tonner has shown that the lungs 



