THE RURAL HEW-YORKEH. 
FI® 41 
fornily black, while another’s progeny were 
not half of them marked at all, and such as 
were would be speckled and spotted without 
the least uniformity in the markings. This 
couhl not have been the result of impurity or 
lack of good breeding, for in one instance the 
rams were twins and the ewes were sorted 
promiscuously from the same large flock. This 
result must have been from some minor cause 
which iuttueueed the mingling of bloods in 
these twin’lambs s< i that one possessed a greater 
prepotency thau the other, or there may have 
been some other influence at work of which I 
knew not, hence the necessity for a more care¬ 
ful study iu this direction. But, admitting 
the exceptions, the rules are doubtless correct 
_ . _ 
h Tele 
Fig. 100. (See first page.) 
as to general results aud beuce worthy of 
the careful consideration of the breeder that 
he may apply them in the selection of his 
males, 
Sltpep keeping should be solely a matter of 
dollars aud cents, aud the aim should be to se¬ 
cure the largest profit. The breeder should 
consider all the circumstances with which he 
is surrounded, as to the market facilities for 
his wool aud the demand for coarse or fine 
wool; and a-s to the sheep, whether the lambs 
are iu demaud for early slaughter, or the ma¬ 
ture sheep for mutton, or the.sheep as stores to 
be shipped to other places there to be fattened; 
also as to the character of his climate 
aud soil, and the crops which he can most 
III 
f'g, 3 * 
Srtv**. 
Fig. 101. (See first page.) 
easily and cheaply grow for food, before 
he can intelligently decide iuto which 
branch of sheep breeding he will 
enter, and he should then select his 
males with the end in view. If In-ceding 
for wool alone, the breeder would have a very 
different ideal from what he should have if 
breeding for wool and mutton, or mutton 
alone, or, as iu my case, for raising lambs for 
an early market. Space will permit of the 
consideration only of a very few of the more 
general principles, aud of these only in a gen¬ 
eral way. No matter for what purpose sheep 
are bred, bones have no value beyond their 
capacity to carry flesh, and too large bones 
are to be avoided, as in growing these, much 
food is required that might otherwise go 
to the growth of wool or flesh. There is also 
great difference in the form of body as to its 
V\ ‘ 
/» 
-vtt'SV'V' 
1 1 ..vv. 
Lo.vv, ^ 
/ W . . . 
* 'Mis-'-. 
vs. 
Fig. 102. (See first page.) 
capacity to fatten and its value when sold for 
meat. In a general way, a round body with 
broad back and heavy haras and shoulders, 
carried on short, stout logs, will have its meat 
mostly on ham, shoulder and loin, and be 
worth in market several cents per pound more 
thau when the meat is scattered over other 
parts of the carcass, Small heads and an ab¬ 
sence of horns are also desirable qualities, for 
the reason that w-hile weight in head ami 
horns adds nothing to the value of carcass, it 
costs more food to build one pound of horns 
or of bones of the head than two pounds of the 
most valuable meat or even of wool; aud, be¬ 
sides this, a large development of heads iu 
mature sheep, is indicative of a large heud in 
the lamb, aud this causes much more difficul¬ 
ty and danger in yeaning, and a consequent 
larger loss of mother and offspring. Even 
when wool-growing is the principal object, 
the size aud shape of carcass and size of head 
and horns are of oidy secondary import¬ 
ance and Should be duly taken into account. 
It is hopeful that the fashion (for it is largely 
fashion) in Merinos will soon be changed and 
that they will be so bred as to dispense with 
these enormous horns, or, at least, that these 
will be reduced to the smallest size possible. 
In fine-wool grow ing, length of staple, fine¬ 
ness of fiber and weight of wool (not grease) 
are the desirable points, and yolk, grease, and 
wrinkles should be tolerated only iu so far as 
they are actually indispensable to the develop¬ 
ment of the more desirable qualities. Consti¬ 
tution is of vital importance; no matter what 
the breed or what purpose the breeder has in 
view, under no circumstances should a male 
be used having any constitutional defect, as he 
will be sure to transmit these to the lamb, thus 
cursing the flock, and, besides tins, such a male 
will not insure the largest crop of lambs; nor 
will he impress such lambs as are begotten 
with his more valuable qualities. Physical 
defects are quite apt to be transmitted even 
when accidental. 1 have now in the barns a 
ewe having ears which have been cut off or 
frozen off, and by her side is a lamb with ears 
not au inch and a half long. The same is often 
noticed where the male is in any way physic¬ 
ally defective, so that ou these last two points 
the breeder camiot be too careful. 
In breeding any particular breed or strain 
with a view of keeping it pure and most fully 
developing its best characteristics to tbeir full¬ 
est perfection, progress necessarily becomes 
slower aud slower the nearer the goal is reach¬ 
ed, and while few people will have the pati¬ 
ence to continue in this work, those who do 
should be encouraged, as from their careful 
work ordinary breeders can derive great bene¬ 
fit by using males selected from such flocks, 
and by carefully studying their methods. 
it is iu cross-breeding, or iu usiug males 
from such flocks as above, on ordinary ewes 
such as are found, throughout the country 
that most apparent benefit, can be obtained, 
such as increasing the size and form of car¬ 
cass, hastening maturity, and giving weight 
and quality of fieece. Experience has shown 
that iu selecting males for this purpose, too 
ultra crossing must not be attempted. Thus, 
if the sheep are to be grown to maturity, the 
breeds to be crossed must have some similar¬ 
ity: thus it is better to use a male of some of 
the Downs, or middle-wools, upon the com¬ 
mon Merino ewes of the country, than a 
Leicester or Cots wold. The progeny will be 
more uniform iu size and in time of maturing, 
and, besides, the development of head in the 
lamb begotten by a Down male will be much 
less’aud causeless pain and loss in yeaning 
thau those of the larger, coarser breed. Iu 
short, then, in choosing males of any breed 
and for any purpose, constitution, prepotency, 
form, iueludiug a small development of the 
less valuable parts of the body, early maturity 
and fleece characteristics should be considered 
iu the order named, each being given greater 
weight in making choice than mere size. 
J. s. WOODWARD. 
Rural (Topics. 
(Srpcvimcnt GjvouiuIjs of the $uvat 
^Irto-Hljorkev. 
THE ROSE OF SHARON.—LANGSHANS 
—GOOD AND POOR POTATOES TEST¬ 
ED IN 1884 AND 1885. 
T1IE ROSE OF SIIARON. 
Probably there is no shrub or small tree so 
prized for its fall flowers as the Rose of Shar¬ 
on (Hibiscus Syriacus) with which all arc 
familiar. True, its flowers are rather ’‘mas¬ 
culine," and without the fragrance of the rose; 
but they exist iu great abundance and give 
us a variety of colors—white, purple, red, 
blue and variegated. Then there are single, 
semi-double and very double flowers. All 
this we have at a season (lute August and 
September) when most flowers are done 
blooming and there is uothing.to compare iu 
showiness to the Althea. 
Years ago we assumed that this Rose of 
Sharon loved a dry, sandy loam and a warm 
situation, and we believe that that is the gen¬ 
eral belief. But we have found that while 
plants have been quite killed by severe win¬ 
ters in such situations that those growing in 
moist land fully exposed to the north and 
west have escaped even the slightest injury. 
We have had ample opportunity to make 
these observations (luring the past 10 years. 
The plants growing In moist soil are within a 
few feet of the lake and scarcely a foot above 
the surface of the water. They thrive as we 
have never seen the Rose of Sharon thrive 
before. 
The Variegated-leaved Althea is probably 
as distinctly variegated as any hardy shrub. 
but the buds merely break open a little—never 
unfold. The cream-white and green leaves 
scarcely compensate for the loss of the 
flowers. 
We have often told our readers that the 
seeds of the Rose of Sharon germinate very 
freely and the seedlings bloom early, always 
varying in the form, color or markings of the 
(lowers from the parent plants. 
* * * 
OUR LANGSHANS. 
April 27 we received 15 Langshan eggs 
fromT. B. Hoover, Wellsville, York Co., Pa. 
May 18; nine hatched. On May 1st, 13 eggs 
were received form Robert Ellis, of Keene, 
N. II., during a cold spell. But one, a cot kerel, 
hatched. We have but four pullets, only one 
of which has layed, begining Jan. 1(1. We 
Hud that eight of her eggs (the first) weighed 
111 1 .; ounces. The first Wyandotte eggs were 
11 to the pound. Two months later uiue 
weighed a pound, and iu January, eight eggs 
weighed 17 ounces. 
The color of the eggs is a darker brown (in¬ 
clining to a light chocolate) than that of the 
Wyandottes. 
The two cockerels retained are large, proud, 
handsome birds haviug as yet shown no jeal¬ 
ousy of each other or the least dispositiou to 
quarrel. 
* # * 
POTATOES. 
At this season of the year we always receive 
questions as to what is the best potato to plant 
—best in quality.yield and form. We can only 
answer such questions for our own land aud 
climate, and therefore would impress it upon 
our readers that they should be influenced by 
our statements only to the extent of trying 
small lots of the varieties so specified. The 
following kinds have been tried liei’e within 
the past two years: 
PEARL OK Savoy. Somewhat earlier than Beauty of 
Hebron. Resembles It. Yield large, quality good. 
PAULY M ayki.owur In a second early. Yields well, 
hut there are many too small for market. It is a flue 
keeper. Shape of the best, quality fair. 
Lick's Favorite Is earlier than Early Rose by a few 
days. Yields well, quality same as Early Rose. Va¬ 
riable in form. 
Vaniji aro is not superior to Early Rose In any way. 
Dakota Red, not recommended. 
Potest ate. Later thau Beauty of Hebron and no 
heller In any way. 
Bonanza Is a second early. Yields well, quite shape¬ 
ly. folrquaUiy. 
t'ouuss’s Matchless Is a heavy yielder; not other¬ 
wise recommended. Intermediate. Very irregular. 
Early Maine Is as early as Early Rose and of the 
same color and shape. The color uliout the eyes is of¬ 
ten pink. It yields more thau the- Rose, aud Is of 
rather better quality. 
Home Comkort Is a late Intel mediate, yielding well. 
Skin pink; long, tapering In shape. Depressed about 
the eyes. 
Early Yankee, late. Not recommended. 
Tiiorhl’RN resembles Beauty of Hebron—quality 
fine. 
Early Flower Is no better than Early Rose. 
Si nskt. Late. Not recommended. 
Brownell’s Superior Ik u small yielder of small po 
taloes. Late. 
l.'UAKEEs Dowmno Is a trifle earlier than Early Rose, 
and resembles Beauty of Hebron In rvery way. 
Stray Beaity Is as early as Early Rose. Irregular 
In shape and a small yielder. Resembles Triumph. 
Kennebec Beaity Is of the Early Rost' class, fully as 
early aud about the same In all essential rrspccts. 
DICTATOR Is lato. This Is a solid good potato, yield¬ 
ing fairly for a late potato. The shape Is roundish; 
the quality not of the best. 
Great Eastern Is late. Eyes rather deep. Buff 
skin. shu|H' variable. It Is or the Peachblow kind, 
quality Inferior. 
Empire State Is rather late. White skin, variable in 
form. Eyes numerous, not deep; a fair yielder; quali¬ 
ty good. 
Electric and Jack. Small yield. 
Perfect Peach-blow, Diastha, Ontario, small yield. 
OwenSkkdllnu. Second early. Yields well, quality 
good. 
Murray's Got.o Flake Is distinct In appearance, 
yields well; Skin is a dull russeted, dull yellowish 
color, quality not of the best. 
Swinoley's Pride Is late. Irregular. Deep eyes. 
Not recommended. 
President Cleveland not recommended. 
Rose's New pruruc Hi.psu not recommended. 
Rose's BEAUTY OK Hi: A ernes Is Into. Yellowish skin, 
eyes medium In number, rather deep. Ordinary yield¬ 
er; quality fair only, 
Vascui veu, Carman, MaRRKT Garden, Gen. Loqan, 
Lake Oeoikik, Canada Red, Eclu-be, St. John. White 
swan. Fort Monroe, Albany Market, Dew Drop, 
Saratooa, Boss, Frost, KliwrOn, Champlain, Silver 
spray, Snow quKES. Essex, J dnkis, Pride ok Carlton, 
Manhattan Market, Garland, Vermont Favorite 
and Mt. Wasiunijton are no better than many old 
kinds. 
Troy Is n good, shapely, Intermediate potato, that 
yields very well. 
Early Peari. Isa second-early, good-looking potato 
of excellent quality. It yields fairly. 
White Elephant is essentially the same as 
the Late Beauty of Hebron, and is a very val¬ 
uable potato. Queen of the Valley (late) is 
coarse and large. Wall’s Orange is of little 
value. White Star is one of our best interme¬ 
diates. Tyrian Purple ought never to have 
been introduced. Early Ohio is the earliest 
potato we have ever tried. Yield moderate, 
quality fair. Iroquois is of little value. 
Whipple’s Seedling, Mullaly, Mountain Rose, 
American Giuut, Conqueror, Compton’s Sur¬ 
prise fail here iu one respect or another or in 
all respects. 
The Everitt is au intermediate of great 
characteristic discharge, which fails to yield 
to medicinal treatment, will aid iu diagnosis. 
If there are glanderous deposits in the lungs, 
striking the walls of the [chest will usually 
arouse a cough. 
In some chronic cases the disease may tie- 
come established, the animal pick up iu con¬ 
dition or apparently recover, and go on for 
mouths or even years, during which time he 
may change hands several times, all this 
time infecting other horses. But a return to 
hard work almost invariably brings out the 
symptoms in au aggravated form. Severe 
exertion, physic, or unhealthy surroundings 
aggravate the disease. 
Acute ca-sesof the disease are usually readily 
recognized and terminate in death iu a few 
weeks. But the chronic form, which consti¬ 
tutes the great majority of cases in this coun¬ 
try, may be and frequently is difficult to diag¬ 
nose. V horse with a chrouic nasal discharge, 
an occasional cough, with symptoms of gene¬ 
ral ill-health, should be regarded suspiciously. 
The caution to handle all known or suspicious 
cases with great care cannot be too often re¬ 
peated, As has been repeatedly stated iu the 
Rural, there is no known cure; treatment is 
unwarranted and dangerous, and should be 
legally prohibited. 
Fig. 103. 
strap is easy; does not fret the horse or adver¬ 
tise him as a puller, and will prevent him 
from fixing his teeth ou the bit. If any one 
doubts, it let him try a leather string. 
Montgomery Co., Pa. warren p. adams. 
Notes from the Western New York Farm. 
SHEEP BREEDING. SELECTION OF 
MALES. 
ITS INFLUENCE IN DETERMINING RESULTS. 
BIT FOR A HORSE. 
As a complete substitute for curb, choke or 
other severe bit for a horse that pulls when 
driven, after putting on any common, com¬ 
fortable bit, buckle a narrow strap (one-fourth 
inch wide will do) around the horse’s nose, 
loosely, above the bit, as at. Fig. 103. This 
There is no other work more important or 
which should receive more careful study thau 
the selection of the males. With no other do¬ 
mestic animal is the influence of the male 
more potent, nor is there any case in which it 
may lie made more quickly available in chang¬ 
ing the character of the stock. But a-s yet the 
principles which govern the results of the min¬ 
gling of the blood of the male and female and 
the influence of each upon the offspring are 
but very imperfectly understood, and the 
average sheep breeder pays little heed to such 
as are most clearly established. But when it 
is remembered that the blood of the male 
enters into and influences the make up and 
constitution of every lamb while each female 
influences only her own offspring, the im¬ 
portant knowledge ou this point and its use 
in selecting males should force itself upon the 
breeder and induce him to become fully con¬ 
versant with all that is clearly known. Cer¬ 
tain genera) principles are so well established 
that laws are laid down which are said to 
govern in these matters, and yet the excep¬ 
tions are so many and so marked that one is 
almost justified iu beiug skeptical, but these 
variations should not incite to doubts but to a 
closer study and more careful experiments, as 
no doubt most of the variations result from 
minor circumstances which pass almost unno¬ 
ticed. As au instance of a law and its excep¬ 
tions, it is claimed that “prepotency” of the 
male (his power to impress his progeny with 
his form, constitution, dispositiou aud color) 
is in direct proportion to the thoroughness 
of his breeding aud the length of time 
the breed has been established, hence the 
value that attaches to pedigree as the evi¬ 
dence of this power, and yet all breeders 
must have noticed that rams equally 
well bred, when used on the same 
class of ewes, will, iu a marked 
degree vary iu marking their lambs. 
In my experience in crossing South Dowds 
aud other black-faced breeds upon Michigan 
ewes for early lamb raising, I have often had 
one ram beget lambs with faces and legs uni- 
