THE CULTIVATOR. 
213 
1846. 
view of avoiding defects and increasing excellencies in 
the progeny. 
But it may be said that excellencies as well as de¬ 
fects are transmissable hereditarily; and as animals of 
near relationship are sometimes found which possess 
certain valuable qualities in a greater degree than 
they are to be found elsewhere, the question is suggest¬ 
ed—Why not permit these animals to breed together? 
This we should be in favor of to a certain extent; but 
the animals should be selected with judgment, and with 
particular care that they have not a predisposition 
to important defects. It will not do to rely on the 
idea that their good points will overpower their bad 
ones; for as their superior points or qualities are 
probably the result of art or accident, (not being natu ¬ 
ral or common to the race,) their defects will be more 
likely to be increased in the progeny than their excel¬ 
lencies.* 
The remark in relation to animals which exhibit pe¬ 
culiarities not common to the race, we will endeavor 
to illustrate. For instance, in a species of squirrels, 
the geneial color of which is grey, we now and then 
find those which are perfectly white, and others which 
are black. Similar deviations from the general color 
of the species are met with also in mice, and other ani¬ 
mals. The same thing is found in birds. We have 
heard of crows which were nearly white, and we have 
seen (to use a paradox) a white black-bird. Changes 
of form and habits are likewise met with which are 
equally striking. Animals which exhibit such devia¬ 
tions from the general characteristics of the race to 
which they belong, may be deemed monstrosities ; but if 
it is wished to perpetuate their singular qualities, it is 
obviously necessary to adhere as closely as practicable 
in breeding, to the strain of blood in which these quali¬ 
ties are manifested. If, instead of this, the animals are 
allowed to breed with those which do not possess the 
desired peculiarity, the new traits, having no fixed 
hold on the blood are soon mingled and lost in the 
general current of the race which runs in a different 
direction. 
Thus, where an extraordinary disposition to secrete 
fat is exhibited by a particular cow and her progeny, it 
may become necessary in order to secure that quality 
and increase the number of animals possessing it, to 
breed from near affinities. But much will depend on 
the skill used in selecting the animals to breed together, 
and only experience and the closest observation, aided 
by good judgment, can guide to successful results. 
We would not, however, advise breeding from near 
affinities, except so far as may be necessary to fix some 
valuable quality not belonging to the race in general. 
Where no superiority is exhibited in a particular family, 
or where the individuals composing a race are nearly si¬ 
milar, we can see no advantage in resorting to the system. 
In regard to the supposed necessity of crossing breeds, 
there are certain vague theories which we would by 
no means countenance. Some appear to imagine that 
breeds of animals cannot be continued pure without dete¬ 
rioration. This notion leads those who entertain it, to 
make various mixtures in breeding, in the hope either of 
avoiding degeneracy or creating improvement. We 
believe that the idea is not only unsound, but that, if it 
were carried out in practice, it would be productive of 
incalculable injury, by destroying the important dis¬ 
tinctions which naturally exist among animals, and by 
which different species and breeds are admirably adapt¬ 
ed to different locations and purposes. 
No degeneracy is observable in animals in a state of 
nature. Among the various wild races (though as 
has been stated, some occasional changes occur,) 
* Sebright observes that—“ If one male and one female only 
of a valuable breed could be obtained, the offspring should be 
separated, and placed in situations as dissimilar as possible ; for 
animals kept together are all subjected to the effects of the same 
climate, of the same food, and of the same mode of treatment, and 
consequently to the same diseases, particularly to such as are in¬ 
fectious, which must accellerate the effects of breeding in-and-in. 
By establishing the breed in different places, and by selecting 
with a view to obtain different properties in these several colo¬ 
nies, we may perhaps be enabled to continue the breed for some 
time, without the intermixture of other blood.” 
the principal characteristics are continued from gene¬ 
ration to generation. There is no evidence that wild 
geese or wild ducks degenerate; and no person can 
reasonably believe that the buffaloes of our western 
praries need crossing, or that they could be improv¬ 
ed for the situation they occupy by any foreign 
mixture. The same remark will probably apply to 
the West-Highland cattle of Scotland, and to some 
of the mountain and other breeds of sheep. Sebright 
has well remarked, however, that the circumstances in 
which wild animals are placed, “produce all the good 
effects of the most skilful selection ;”* and though it is 
not unlikely that they frequently breed from close 
affinities, their freedom from disease or defect probably 
prevents the bad consequences which might attend such 
breeding with animals in an artificial state. The con¬ 
clusion therefore is, that aboriginal races and breeds are 
readily continued without crossing. With varieties 
which have been produced by crosses, it is admitted the 
case is different. The original fixed habit being broken 
up by the cross, their course becomes erratic, and their 
qualities various. Hence the exercise of much skill is 
required to continue them,. “ What has been produced 
by art,” says Sebright, “ must be continued by art.” 
PERIOD OF GESTATION IN SHEEP. 
T. E. Pawleit, in the London Farmers’ Magazine, 
states he found by observations very carefully made, 
that the time his ewes went with lamb was as follows: 
Weeks. Days. 
The longest time any ewe went with a 
ram lamb, was,. 22 4 
The shortest,... 21 0 
The longest time any one went with an 
ewe lamb, was. 22 2 
The shortest time,. 20 4 
He adds that he thinks this proves the opinion to be 
correct, that animals go longer with males than females, 
though the difference is trifling. 
Mr. Pawlett also states that he has found the fol¬ 
lowing receipt of great benefit to lambs when they 
scour:— 
Epsom salts,. 6 ounces. 
Nitre in powder,.4 “ 
Boiling water,. 3 pints. 
Pour the water hot upon the salts and nitre; with 
new milk (warm) add spirits of turpentine, 4 ounces; 
bol ammoniac in powder, | an ounce; mix and shake 
them well together. If necessary, repeat the drink 
every day or two. About 3 or 4 table spoonfuls may 
be given to a sheep for a dose, and lambs in proportion 
to their size. 
BREEDING COWS. 
Mr. J. Weeb, veterinary surgeon, remarks, in an ar¬ 
ticle on the “ Management of Breeding Cows,” publish¬ 
ed in the Farmers’Magazine, that—“it is only from the 
healthy mothers that a healthy offspring can be expect¬ 
ed.” He further remarks, “ from whatever cause it may 
happen, if a cow is diseased and the blood contamina¬ 
ted, the offspring must less or more, inherit her disease; 
for it is from the blood and the most vital fluids of the 
cow, that the calf is supported in the womb.” 
English flat turneps can be sown as late as the 25th 
of July, or the 1st of August, and will yield a good crop. 
* Speaking of animals in a wild state, Sebright says—“ The 
greatest number of females will of course fall to the share of 
the most vigorous males; and the strongest individuals of both 
sexes, by driving away the weakest, will enjoy the best food and 
most favorable situations for themselves and their offspring. A 
severe winter, or a scarcity of food, by destroying the weak and 
the unhealthy, has all the good effects of the most skilful selection. 
In cold and barren lands no animals can live to the age of matu¬ 
rity, but those who have strong constitutions; the weak and the 
unhealthy do not live to propagate their infirmities, as is too often 
the case with our domestic animals.” 
