BREEDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2490, 4 December 1901, Page 6

BREEDING.

In farm animals selected to breed from there are "points," as they are called, which are peculiar conformations, some of which are connected with the natural formation of the skeleton, and others appear to be the result of an association derived from the known qualities of certain individuals, and of which no very good physiological account can be given. That high withers and a freely-moving shoulder blade in a horse are connected with his speed is readily perceived, and that tlie length of the muscles in his quarter and the manner of their insertion should affect their power is equally evident, but it is not so apparent that the manner in which, the ears are placed on the head, the shape of the nose or jaw, and the insertion of the tail higher or lower, have an important effect on the value of the animal, independently of any arbitrary idea of beauty. A breeder who should not attend to these circumstances in the animals chosen to perpetuate the breed would find, to his cost, that it is more than mere taste which has determined these points. It is the result of observation and experience that certain bieeds are invariably distinguished by certain peculiarities, acd that these are almost as invariably connected with good qualities, apparently quite independent of the parts upon which these points appear. There is an indication of the disposition of an animal in the eye, in the shape of the head, and in the manner in which it is carried which seldom deceives an experienced judge. He will not risk the introduction of a vicious or sulky disposition into his breed, which might counterbalance all the good qualities the animal might possess, and introduce a greater hereditary fault than any imperfection of form.

Having then determined the purpose for which any particular class of farm animal is designed, every quality must be attended to which furthers this view, and except Tinder very peculiar circumstances, the animals intended to keep np the stock by their produce must be chosen with these qualities in the greatest perfection which are essential to the end. In all animals a perfect conformation of the bodily frame is essential to the due performance of the vital functions. The skeleton of the animal should therefore be as perfect as possible. The capacity of the ,ches,t and the healthy nature of the lungs are points which mu^t never be overlooked, whatever may be the purpse for which the animal is bred ; for although a defect may in some measure be counteracted by a judicious choice of the individual coupled with the defective animal, it is only where there is no alternative or choice that any defect in the bodily frame of an animal kept for breeding should be overlooked. In spite of every care, the defect will appear in the offspring ; sometimes not till after several generations. It must be owned, however, that the breeding and rearing of our farm animals is too often looked upon as something of which every one possesses an intuitive knowledge to enable them at once, and under any circumstances, to become proficients, without the formality of previous study, or Lhat acquaintance with the subject which, in any other occupation, would be deemed indispensable, in order to ensure even a probability of success. To this cause we may easily trace most of the failures which we meet with, the imperfect state in which what ou»ht to be the finished article is frequently brought to market, and the consequent disappointment as to results we sometimes hear expressed. So far from being ea&ily understood, the entire subject, including the breeding, rearing, and final preparation of animals fo_- market, ;s; s perhaps the most complicated department in agricultural science, requiring the exercise of rare skill and judgment in. the prosecution of it.

That ''like produces like' has long been legarded as a settled fact in relation to the breeding of animals. "A draught &taliion will not produce a colt fit to run for the Derby, nor will a Derby winner beget a colt ILat would s-uit a hicwei's iray."' If we have a sire, wlietiiei stnllion, bull, rani, or boar, which i& ill-shaped, and put the same to a female similar lj defective^ tke

•will inherit the defects of the parent,". But we may go farther ; for if one or other of the parents is defective, the probability is that the particular defect will be repeated more or less in the offspring. It is true the influence of the sire is often so great as to overcome that of a defective female. Peculiar cliaraetei'istics are inherited both fiom sire and dam. and hence the necessity for careful selection in breeding stock. The offspring of many sires present the charactenstics of their male parent ; while in other cases the female apcars to pos-sess the properly of nnpiessing her own characteristics, or tho'-e which &he has inherited, on her offsprings. As a rule, it is advisable to select a sire which f>ossesses qualities or "points' in respect to which the female to which he is to be put is defective. Thus, if a coav is ligLt-fieshed and delicate, the most suitable sire to put to her will be one that is fleshy, and po&sesses a vigorous constitution. In selecting a f-ire the influence which the dam exercises on the character >f her progeny should require due consideration. In many eases the selection of a bull is determined chiefly, if not altogether, by his own character, or that of his sire^. The same principle guides many persons in the s-election of stallions, rams, and boars. Hence the disappointment which has not been infrequently experienced where a goodlooking and well-bred &ire, or one which lias been got by a " crack " bull or stallion, has got very unsatisfactory ttock. On the 'other hand, a well-bred but plain sire has often got> very superior animal', j TLc.«e contrarities are usually due to the ! influent eof ihe sire's dam. The piudenl breeder should therefore endeavour to ascertain the charactei of the dam of the sire he intends to u^e. Much more depends upon Uiis p-iint than is generally supposed; and unfortunately the male produce of very worthless females is, frequently letained, to oe used for breeding purposes. The male produce of a female vliich Las a delka'.e constitution, a narrow chest, nd weak loins shou'd be rigidly rejected. An important point in breeding is selection. This requires judgment, but it is essential where it is the intention of the breeder to establish and perpetuate certaiu desirable characteristics. It is much lo be regretted that careful selection, especially in the case of males, is not so closely attended to by many breeders of the present day as it ought to be. Bull calves are not infre- ! quently kept for breeding purposes chiefly \ because they have fashionable pedigrees, rather than for their me^ts, considered merely as breeding-slock. Of course, such bulls sell, for the pedigree sells them ; but however important a pedigree it — and it is a most important pomt — still, a fashionable j pedigree will not make up for decided want ' of merit in a bull. Frequently, in spite of j a long line of good blood, an animal -will i crop up which decs rot pos^s? sufn-'ier,t ] merit to render it desirable ie :alain that j animal for breeding purpose ■-■. When j such occurs, a prudent breeder" should i not permit a dsfective animal to go forth j as a specimen of his herd, but should at i once banish it to the bullock yard. Breed- i ing from the "wepds"' 'if n held, po matter .'<mv high, the pedigree, is most, injudicious, and a certain cause of paTadiifciH urscLicf. The results of iuuii.']cn& election soon be- < come manifest in the breeding of a flock of sheep. A distinctive fypj or famiV like- j ness becomes impressed upon the flock, ' which is never seen where the principle of j selection is not earfully carried out. The ' same takes place ,n other varieties o!: oni- j mals, and no breeder who vrk-hes to attain or retain excellence can safely neglect, it. \