The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-28
Agrituttntnll,,
Improvement of our Common Stock.

There is perhaps no one branch of agri-
culture which more needs improvement,
or which would become productive of
greater profit to the agriculturist than
that of neat cattle; and it is gratifying to
observe some little interest awakening in
the minds of farmers of generally to this
important branch of their profession.
Improvement has been confined too much
to the more wealthy; and the man who
has been the most liberal in his expendi-
lures to benefit the county in this particu-
lar, has not unfrequentlymet with the rid
icule of his neighbors. But happily for
such-morc particularly for the country
public opinion is undergoing change,
and those who once opposed improvement,
are now in some degree availing them
selves Of its benefits. .....
That our i'm roved breeds are greatly
superior to the common stock of the coun-
try, presume no one will deny. This be-
ing conceded, it becomes matter of no
little importance to ascertain in what man
ner we can most speedily avail ourselves
of the means within our possession for the
improvement of our common stock. 1t is
evident that we should seek cross with
some of the improved breeds, the relative
merits of either of which do not propose
here to discuss. Every individual, before
making choice of any particular breed,
should carefully examine Il c subject, take
into consideration his locality, and, more
particularly, should consult lis o,cn taste;
for unless fully convinced in his own mind
that some particular breed is the best, he
will probably make but slow advance
ment. Having made choice Of the breed
it is evident that he should then seek to
engraft its characteristics and good quail
! ties upon his own stock. And here allow
me to say that the farmer not unfreducnt-
ly makes great mistake. He procures
perhaps n few half-bred heifers, and
male animal of the same grade,
and commences breeding. Where is the
chance for improvement in this selection +!
1t is true that he may select from year to
year lis best animals, and thus advance
slowly; yet the grdde remains the same {;
or perhaps (Which is more frequently the
case) he proeures nothing but half-bred
male animal, and with this intends TO
make great improvement The first cross
by this animal from our common cows
would be but one fourth ; this produces a.
gain, i'll like manner, one eighth, and the
next only one sixteenth of the blood of the
pure-bred animal, and so on, dcterioratinp
in the same proportion with each succes.
sive generation. 1t is perfectly plain that
he has taken wrong view of the subject,
aud that his Improvement O. will soon
end where he commenced. The most
speedy and successful improvement, there
fore, can only be obtained by the selec.
ton and use of Thoroughbred or pure.
blooded male animal.
For illustration of this, we will suppose
the breed made choice of to be the short
horn or Durham. The produce from the
first cross between thorough bred ami
mai and our common cows, would be one
half Durham; the next cross would give
three tourths; the next would be seven
eigths, and so on increasing in the same
ratio with each successive generation, I'M
til herd would be reared, nearly equal
ing the pure-blooded Durhams in beauty
and practical utility. Why will not our
farmers generally avail themselves of such
accessible means for speedy Al d certain
improvement? 1t would add to their
wealth individually, and benefit the coun-
try immensely. Instead of the poor, mis-
cradle, and almost worthless animals that
are now two common in almost all parts
of our country, we should have breed
that would justly become n source OF
pleasure and pride to their owners, and ex-
cite the admiration of ali.-PLooo, The
Loom, and the AnVH.