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Breeding and Feeding of Farm Stock. 



[June, 



The Breeding- and Feeding- of Farm Stock.— (James Wilson. 

 London : Methuen & Co., Ltd., 6s. net.) Dealing in the first chapter 

 with the Stockbreeder's Raw Materials, Professor Wilson gives a most interest- 

 ing account of the history of British Cattle and Horses from pre-Roman days 

 through the centuries. Prof. Wilson knows his history, and in addition he 

 understands Mendel's Law. Through the application of this law to the records 

 of history he gives a clear outline of the evolution of the modern breeds. 

 With Sheep he has not dealt -at such length, and at the present day when the 

 pig occupies such an important place in the economies of Stock breeding it is 

 rather regrettable that he has not dealt fully with the Raw Materials which 

 went to make, and with the methods employed in the making of, modern pig 

 breeds. With cattle and horses, however, the account deals thoroughly and 

 makes interesting reading. 



In the second and two subsequent chapters the author discusses the 

 methods of the early breeders, and reviews their work in the light of 

 Mendelism. Much ol" this had been done in his previous books, " The Principles 

 of Stockbreeding " and "The Evolution of British Cattle," but here in his new 

 book it is put in shorter more concise everyday language, and written in a way 

 which is yet clear and exact, and intelligible to a reader who may have no 

 knowledge of scientific principles. 



As in his other books, he is inclined to show favour for the principle of 

 ^' in-breeding." This question of " in-breeding " is a most difficult one, and if 

 the practice is to be employed at all, it will surely be safe only in the hands of 

 a Master. Bakevvell, the CoUings, Hugh Watson, were all great masters in their 

 time, but how far will the greatest breeders of the present day advocate 

 breeding in-and-in, or how many of them successfully practise it in its 

 mildest forms with success over any length of period ? Professor Wilson 

 repeats again and again the importance of the principle of the tested sire — the 

 importance of keeping the sire till his "class" can be determined from his 

 progeny rather than by his own performance in the show ring, and it is a 

 principle which will bear emphasising. 



In the matter of feeding, the Author has made a most exhaustive study of 

 investigations, carried out both on the Continent and at home. In particular 

 he has studied the work done in Sweden and Denmark and thence brings use- 

 ful lessons for the help of feeders and investigators. Much of this Swedish 

 and Danish work is new to the British reader. 



The final chapter is devoted to a useful method of calculating the money 

 value of feeding stuffs, and the book concludes with tables giving the average 

 composition of the common feeding stuffs, and figures showing the com- 

 parative feeding value of different foods, or in other words, the number of 

 pounds of each feeding stuff" necessary to make a food unit. 



Altogether the book is one of the most valuable additions to the animal 

 husbandry side of the agricultural library which has been published. It 

 should find a place on the shelf of every stock breeder and feeder who wishes 

 to probe into problems of breeding and feeding. He will find it a readable, 

 instructive book giving him something to think about and much helpful, sound, 

 practical advice. To the agricultural student and teacher it is invaluable, and 

 embraces a subject sometimes rather inclined to be neglected in favour of 

 the crop husbandry side. In short it is a good book containing a lot of useful, 

 original work. 



