Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1842-01-08

have had a long experience in raising stock.
lives some valuable hints on the art of keep
Ing up a good breed Of hogs. These sugges-
tons, we may observe, however, are settled
principles, laid down by men whose great
science and experience combined, have ter
minated in the discovery Of certain germinal
laws, designed bv the Great Author of life
for the government IF animate nature. From
these laws, among refined nations, arises the
universal %repugnance to, and positive prohibi-
ton OF, intermarriage by mem bers of the sarne
family or near relatives. Nature has enoun-
ced her immutable verdict against such un-
ions, in the degeneracy that follows its issue
In all races the effect is the same. From
Kings to pigs (and the difference between
the families is not always as wide as one might
at first suppose) there is no exception; one
universal law governs all; and it is only by a,
jud!cious inauguration that you proven
degeneracy.
With the writer quoted below, we doubt
nay we positively disbelicve, that there is any
such thing, in mature as permanent breed, or
peculiar, self sustaining blood. Tbs things of
flesh, are all things "of earth, earthy;" and as
soils are enriched and strengthened by mixing
one with another, 80 animals of the same iami-
ly are dependent for individual improvement
on individuals possessing different inherent
properties.
The prevailing stock of hogs in Louisiana,
SO thin and lank, that they resemble more
cross-cut saws than bona fdc porkers, are
what is called a "run out" breed, the produce
of repeated in-and-in breeding. No one will
'doubt, however, that these same shad backs,
land sharks, or by what ever name you call
them, might be vastly improved and eventual
ly converted into a very valuable race of ami
mails, by crossing them with superior lndiv!d-
uals of the same family.
1t is the opinion of hIr. Anlcck, Chan whom,
perhaps, there is not in the United States a
more competent Judge OF stock), that no COIN
try contains a breed of cattle, from which bet
ter mixers might be obtained, than from our
creole cows in Louisiana. Mind, we say
breed; for this artificial property, blood or breed,
by which we expires the superiority or lnicri-
ority of certain members of the same family,
is just the property that is gained by crossing
or lost by in-and-in breeding. All required
to be done, is to make proper selections from
different stocks of cattle, and unite them with
ours. We have an originally good stock, de-
Perforated by age: by ENGRAVING another stock
on this, a new one may be produced, superior
perhaps to both progenltors. That Louisiana
could once boast a race Of beautiful cattle, we
must believe from the faue she formerly OBJ
tanned as a stock country. That she is still
capable of producing and supporting as good
as any other country in the world, no we'll
informed person doubts.
What we have to do, then, is this; we must
import from neighboring states and from
abroad, into this state, animals possessing the
most sterling qualities, and selecting the best of
our stock, breed them together. The issue
will be an improvement a; and to the choice of
this issue, we must again breed another
stock possessing certain good qualities which
this lacks. BY judicionsly pursuing this rule,
we shall soon have, over the entire extent OF
Louisiana, animals equal to the best in Ken
tLcky, New York or England.
Mr.. Howard observes that, to make pork
to the best advantage, a good breed, among
other requisites, is all important. "And
propose, in this communication, to make
a few remarks on the characteristics, orr
gin, &C., of several breeds with which
have been acquainted, and which, have, at
different times and different sections, been
held in high estimation, together with such
other observations as may suggest them.
selves as worthy of note.
At this time, the Berkshires, or perhaps
they should more properly be called the
improred Berkshires, seem to be the spe.
cial SUBJECTS of favor all over the country.
Concerning their origin, | will not pretend
to say anything, as it is a matter SO much
disputed, except to remark that their great
variation in size, shape, and other proper,
ties. is conclusive proof to my mind, that
they are a mired breed. And here | will
observe, that it is the opinion of some emf.
nent breeders, that swine cannot be bred
pure to any advantage. Col. Sam
Jacques, of Charleston, Massachusetts, one
of the most noted breeders of stock in
America, oncc said in a letter to me, that
zone might as well talk of a a breed Of
earthen jugs, as oi a breed of swine. The
potter mosilds his clay, and good swine
must be moulded or fashioned by .judiciom.
crossing" &c. | might refer to Other
high authority for similar ideas. Without
however, going into details in the discussion
| Of this point, at present, or of4rlng an Cpl
Mon as to the most eGpsdient course o
improvement, will just remark, that
can see tic difficulty i'll perpetaating ana
improving, to any extent, a pure indigo
nous breed of swine, prey;ded there is sui
fcient scope cNoued for selection. Th'
improvement of some of the Highland cat
tie of Scotland, the Southdown sheep, ant
various other races of others o! animals
might be referred TO in support of this the
ory. With artificial breeds, | think i
would be more difficult"
Mn. ArFLEck.-We find, the following
notice of cur friend Afiieck, the editor @
the Western Farmer & Gardener in tn
the N. Y. Cultivator, being an extract fror
that celebrated farmer and stock-breedel
A. B. Allen, of Buffalo, who last sprin;
visited Cincinnati. y
.'From Mr.. Afleck, CT the Farmer an
Gardener, | received much attention. II