BREEDING OF STOCK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 148, 19 March 1931, Page 6

BREEDING OF STOCK

New Theory Expounded “The Breeding of Live Stock,” recently published by Thomas Avery and Sons Ltd., New Plymouth, is a ■ book that should exercise a wide appeal in New Zealand, whether the reader be a breeder of horses, cattle, sheep or pigs. As is stated by the author, Mr. J. A. Connell, the subject matter of his book was published some time ago as a series of articles in “The Dominion” and the “Otago Witness.” Mr. Connell expounds a theory in the breeding of animals “resulting from his numerous experiments and a close study of the subject extending over 30 years,” and he claims to have “thoroughly tested the hypothesis on all sides before, arriving at bis conclusions founded upon physiological facts, unbiased observations and numerous carefully-controlled experiments.” z In effect, Mr. Connell asserts that “animal physiognomy is the keynote of success or failure in breeding, and all else is of but very secondary importance.” As Dr., J. A. Gilruth, who contributes a foreword to the book, remarks, knowledge regarding reproduction and breeding has advanced tremendously during recent years, but, nevertheless, the practical application of genetics remains rather more an art than a science. Like does not always beget like, though in the main it does. In advancing what Dr. Gilruth calls an “enticing theory,” his arguments being maintained with much cogency, Mr. Connell insists that in the mating of animals too much attention has been directed toward the physical conformation of the body, to the neglect of the characteristics of the mental and nervous system as reflected in the head and expression. While the knowledge of the layman is too limited to permit him to appraise Mr. Connell’s theory, it scarcely can be doubted, on his own evidence, that it will find many critics among stockbreeders and judges of long experience. Nevertheless, the book is of great interest and it is certain, as Dr. Gilruth remarks, that many will find it valuable.