The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-09-30
Effects of Domesttcation and Gull
tivation of Animals.

blVaU1OH Ol ALI
To the intelligent and thoughtful breed
er few subjects present more interesting
matter for study and reflection than the
influence of domesticaton and cultivation
on animals. Nearly all animals which
have long been subject to the dominion of
man, exhibit not only a great variety of
form and temperament in the same spe-
oies, but the entire race has departed
widely in these respects from the stock
from which it has descended.
Thus we see the Durham, the Devon,
the Hereford and many other varieties of
cattle, each possessing strongly marked
and distinctive characteristics, yet all diff
ferring widely from the original type.
Still we have no reason to suppose that
the wild OK of the present day differs ma
terially from his progenitor a thousand
years ago. Similar observations are equal
iy applicable to the hog tribe. We can
indeed trace resemblance between our
domestic hogs and the gaunt, leggy, coarse
and fierce wild boar Of the Ukraine
but the difference is as striking as the
resemblance, and the endless variety Of
our swine forcibly demonstrates the ac-
oommodating pliability of nature to the
advantage, the wishes, or the caprice of
the Lord Of the fowl and the brute"
The sheep is another striking illustration
of the change effected in animals when the
operations of nature have been directed BY
the genius of man. and the hairy, coarse,
wild sheep of the East can scarcely be
recognized as the source from whence
have sprung the present highly improved
varieties.
The effect Of human cultivation is
perceptible not only upon the various
races of animals which have been domes
ticated; but five contemplate the vegeta-
BILE kingdom we shall find ample cause
for astonishment in the marvellous changes
wrought by skilful and long continued
cultivation upon almost every variety of
vegetable which we use for food.
The effect of cultivation is not confined
to the changes produced in the size or
form of the animal, but extends to the
temperament and disposition. 1t is not
more surprising that the well bred hog
has exchanged the lean, bony, angular
form of his wild ancestors for figure fat,
well-rounded and small-boned, than that
he has at the same time exchanged the
vigilant, restless and savage disposition of
the wild boar for his present sleepy, quiet
and inofcnsiye temperament,
The predisposition to take on fat read
lily. is almost invariably coupled with
quiet temper, and the fact can hardly fail
to have often forced itself upon the no.
tice of every thoughtful breeder. The
round, thick-set, heavy cart horse rolls a.
bout envelloped in fat, he mods sleepily at
his stand, or moves only at the slowest
pace. The feet, nimble-footed roadster
carries little superhuous flesh, and his eye
is ever watchful as the eagles The man.
moth OK which, upon a large frame carries
a mountain of fat, is dull stupid and slug
gish, but the yoke of oxen which you saw
,oin at the ploughing match were in only
tolerable condition, but they were wide
awake"
Whether the predisposition to take on
fat easily be the result or the cause of
'hS iuict 'chPSi, 10 iuSSlioi NuiSh We
are not prepared to answer, and should be
glad to see discussed, but the fact that the
two are almost invariably found together,
should never be lost sight of, in purchas
ing animals for where we find the one we
may reasonably expect to find the other.
Thus if you wish an OK for the plough,
you want bright eye, lively step and
little fat. If you find him in high flesh
with only ordinary feed you may be pretty
sure he is not hvely worker. If, on the
contrary, you want him for the butcher,
and find him sluggish and dozy, you may
expect him to fat easily and rapidly, So
in purchasing any other animals, it should
be remembered that nervous, active
temperament is rarely accompanied with
tendency to fatten easily, and on the
other hand the secretion of large a.
mount of ia argues the presence of dull
and sluggish temper. - Stock Journal