St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-08-14
9griitnltural,
BLOOD STOCK, WHAT is IT?


Many farmers have most curious no
tions in regard to the meaning of the
phrase "Blood Stock" Many have
an idea that it must be imported stock,
and held at a high price, because it
has been brought across the ocean.
But in England there is wide distinc-
ton between what is called blood
stock and the common stock Of that
country. Certain breeders of stock
have been extremely nice in regard to
breeding. They have selected from
the common herds of cattle the very
best they could find, and have kept
them apart from the common run Of
cattle, casting off all the inferior
individuals that often show themselves
in the best herds.
By pursuing this course for years
in succession race is produced
superior to the common run of cattle
and at length this race becomes SO
perfect that you can place much re-
lance on the progeny. Different
courses have been pursued by stock
breeders in England-but gradually
the aim has been to produce larger
animals, and such as will fatten early,
regardless of their merits as mixers.
The Shorthorn Durhams meet the
views Of those who pride themselves
in the growth Of the largest animal,
and such as will fatten at three or four
years Of age. These cattle are said
to fatten at less expense, also, than the
promiscuous herds of our country
but as reliable mixers the full blood
Durhams have failed to give satisfac-
ton to purchasers.
But prejudice exists against what
is called "blood stock" that is, impor-
ted stock, and the question is often
asked, why is not our own native
stock as good as any that can be inn
ported? We have cows of no particular
breed that will excel the general run
of imported cows, and why shall we
not rely on them in preference to
what is termed "blood stock?
Now we have no idea that the
farmers Of Britain are the only people
capable of producing "blood stock"
They have taken the lead in this bust
ness, and to them we look for infor-
nation in regard to results-but we
are not bound, hand and foot, to the
opinion Of foreign breeders.
Let us examine this subject fairly
Is it best to breed promicuously, and
pick out of the mass production the
best looking individuals-or is it
better to endeavor to rear race apart
from the mean animals which are
often reared as farm stock?
A drover who goes into the inteior
to buy cows will prefer such as are
bred by an old farmer who has long
been in practice of raising his own
calves, and breeding from the best of
his COWS. A farmer who has pursued
this course for twenty years or more,
has now, in fact, "blood stock" of his
own production, and can calculate
with considerable confidence on the
qualities of the calves or young cattle
that he has produced.
By pursuing this mode we can rear
as good blood stock as any foreigner
who ever lived. Time, patience, and
strict attention are needed to come to
the result which foreign breeders have
We can have as good cattle as any
that have been produced in England, if
we will have patience and continue
long in the right course.
It often happens that an individual
COW, of no particular breed, will yield
more milk and butter than the average
of blood stock. What of it! Will her
progeny do the like? If we cannot re.
~ on her progeny we cannot account
her as Of any great advantage to the
public, though her owner may have
made profits out other.
Drovers go annually into the interior
to buy cows to supply a demand Of peo-
pie who live on the sea board, or near
large towns where young cattle cannot
be raised without great cost. A
sLrewd drover picks up thirty or forty
OF the best cows he can find in Yer
mont or in Canada. Well, he sells to
those who cannot afford to rear calves.
The purchasers are benefited by this
course Of trade, but the State is not ad-
vancing by this course Of traffic The
best lot Of cows is transferred from
Vermont to Rhode Island-but not
the least advance is made in the inn
provement Of stock. Rhode Island
still continues to make veal of all the
calves, and Vermont continues to rear
all, good and bad.