242 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



lation ; and it has boeu distinctly proved, that when this course 

 is adopted, the young are veiy sure to resemble their sire in 

 form and color. 



Again, it is certain that the male animal has more violent 

 passions, and exerts a much greater influence \ipon the young 

 than the female ; and this is a moi^t important law, because the 

 male, especially of domestic animals, affects annually the 

 quality of from fifty to one hundred times more individuals of 

 a species than the female. 



Among hybrid animals, it is observed that males are two or 

 three times more numerous than females, and they partake 

 more of the character of their sires than of their dams. Thus 

 in the common mule, we see that the general characteristics, as 

 the ears, voice, head, tail, feet and temper are asinine ; while 

 in the hinny, or progeny of the stallion and female ass, we find 

 the same qualities of the horse to predominate. The size alone 

 seems to depend more upon the female than the male, which 

 results from the fact, that the young animal being produced 

 within and nourished by the dam, must of necessity be propor- 

 tioned to her capacity. 



It may also be mentioned here, that among wild animals the 

 males fight desperately for the privilege of propagating their 

 species, and this weighty responsibility devolves, at last, exclu- 

 sively upon the few most vigorous and powerful of the race, 

 which is thus preserved in its original perfection. 



Finally, there is another princi[)lc which the breeder should 

 never forget, namely: that among domesticated animals, those 

 Avhich have been bred in the same manner, and for the same 

 objects, during many successive generations are much more 

 sure to impress their likeness upon their progeny than any 

 others. Hence, when Thoroughbred males of the desired 

 varieties can possibly be procured, they should invariably be 

 employed, in preference even to grade animals, which may be 

 in appearance much their superiors. 



Respectfully submitted. 



W. S. Clark. 

 George M. Atwater. 

 George Marston. 



