Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1839-05-31

rehuer more effective MS arguments agalnS'
ths correctness of such opinions, it is pur.
posed briefly to state what are conceived
to be the circumstances which have led to
its adoption, and 10 exhibit them in their true
light, as not justifying the conclusions to
which they have led.
During all periods since agriculture has
obtained any considerable degree of a,ten-
ton. create: or less care, according to cir
cumslances has been paid to the differen,
breeds Of ANNALS, whose improvement
formed an important branch of rural econ.
omy. An obvious consequence of this care,
resulting scarcel y less from a laudable de-.
gree OF emulation, than from desire of lu.
cra'lve improvement, would be the produc.
ton OF an improved race Of males; The male
animal affording advantages superior 10 the
female for the improvement of the species,
inasmuch as he is available to q number OF
the latter, while the services of the female
must be restricted to her single, or little
numerous produce of the year, as the case
might be. Further, it may be observed
that in earlier times, as in the present, the
majority Of breeders would pursue their OBJ.
ject Of improvement with the less expen-
sive and easily acquired herd of ordinary
females, looking to the selected males for
the accomplishment of th.ir wishes. Few
would possess means calculated to breed d
stallion, as few also would have a COW suf.
ficiently good in quality to produce bull
for the improvement Of stock. The ideas
entertained respecting the requisites ofa sire
would probably be similar, and lead to the
adoption ola general standard ofexcellence,
towards which it wsuld be required that
each male should approximate, and thus
there would exist, among what may be
termed fashionable sires, corresponding
form and character. different and superior
to those of the general stock of the country
This form and character, it may be observ.
ed, would in most instances have been &C.
qured by perseverance in breeding from
animals which possessed the important or
fancied requisites, and might therefore be
said to be almost confirmed in such ndivi-
duals. Under these circumstances, striking
results would, doubtless, follow the intro.
duction Of such sires in common stock !;
results which would induce superficial OBJ
servers to remark, that indidual sires pos.
sessed properties as males, which in fac,
were only assignable to them as improved
animals. A horse of the foregoing de-.
| scripton, bred from ancestors of qualities
similar to his own, would impress his off.
| spring strongly, the mares with which he
bred possessing no determinate character or
J form, as regarded their descent, being the
produce Of heterogeneous connection. of the
co.mingling of perhaps hundred different
shapes, and consequently possessing % ten
dency to any one particular. Further, the
female produce. one annually, would be
presented too rarely to afford con
viction similar 10 that entertained in favor OF
the male, among whose numerous colts OF
the year, there must be. even by chance, a
consi cradle number bearing his features.
In these, and in similar circumstances, il
seems not unreasonable to suppose that the
opinion originated Of our breeds OF cattle
being more susceptible of improvement,
the male, than from the female parent.
In The present day, effects of the same
nature have produced the same opinions,
aud the highly improved state Of some of
| our agricultural stock has contributed great.
ly to strengthen and conform them. 1t is
observable. hewever, that the assignment of
this intrinsic properly is not made now, so
exclusively as formerly, to the male. The
female has also obtained her advocates,
who, witIou, advancing any argument in
support of their doctrine, maintain it never.
| theless with considerable pertinaci,y. 1t is
presumed that the cause Of this partial
change in public opinion, may be easily as.
| signed. Topersons conversant with i'm.
proved breeding, it is we'll known that of
late years numerous sales have taken place
of the entire stock of celebrated breeders Of
slres, and consequently that the females,
valuable for such purpose, have passed into
number ofhands. Unfortunately, persons
wbo have on these occasions become pos
sessed of a fine female, have not always
been equny successful with regard 10 a
male; the high prices at hich such animals
have sold, having placed an impeachment in
their way, or disposition to deem one step
towards improvement adequate TO the pro.
motion Of their views. having led them to
remain contened with measure, which to
certain extent, would benefit their stock !;
but which must also as certainly be consid-
cred sacrifice Of the high bred females in
question. Such persons nave introduced a
COW so acquired, to bull, inferior in point
Of descent, and general good qualities and
the offspring has proved superior to the sire,
by virtue of the dams excellence, to which
by certain degrees it would approximate /;
and thus has arisen an opinion. that Partic.
ular females, also, possessed the property Of
impressug their characteristics upon the off,