Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-06-17
a9rirultural.
Imported VS.. Native Stock.

Robert Purvis of Byberry. Pa. is ot
that class Of our American population
whom the U. S. Supreme Court denoun-
ces as possessing "no rights which white
men are bound to respect yet he is
very highly esteemed by his height bors
and by all who know him. His farm is
in high state of cultivation, is one OF
the best in Pennsylvania, and conse-
quently, in our opinion, his ideas are en-
titled to share of our respect. He
says:
"For many years I have made it my
business, as it has been my pleasure, to
do what l could to promote the improve
ment of farm stock. My chief at tention
has been given to COWS, hogs and fowls,
! though have not been vnmindful Of
other varieties. or cows, l have raised
the Durham, Ayrshire and the Devon
shire; of hogs, the Berkshire and the
Suffolk; and of fowls, great variety. /
have confined my attention chiefly to
hose of foreign growth or origin. That
| have succeeded as well as others, may
be inferred from the fact that at the va
rious shows | have taken fair share Of
the premiums. Nevertheless, my sue
cess, though encouraging, has not been
altogether satisfactory. That is, it has
not proved to me that any of these for
eign breeds, whether of cows, hogs or
fowls, are the best that we can have in
this country, or are just the thing we
want. On the contrary, it has demon.
strated to me quite the opposite, wiz
That before we can attain the desired
success in this field of experiment. we
must give more attention than we are
now giving TO animals rhieh are the
yrouh Of our olrn soil. Not that l
would undervalue the advantage Of inn
porting the best varieties of foreign
breeds, 70, too much praise cannot be
rendered those public spirited men who
spend their money literally in bringing
to cur shores the best specimens they can
obtain Of European animals; but, at the
same time. too little credit may be given
to others Who are doing what they can to
improve our native breeds.
don't know how it may be with 9th.
ers, but according to my experience and
observation there is an unrarying ten
demey in foreign imported stack 10 dete-
riornion. Whether it is owing to the
climate, or soil, or what, l don't pretsad
to say; but this tendency to degenerate
in all foreign animals, whatever pains
may have been taken with them has been,
according to my kno wledge. without an
exception.
Now assuming this to be true, which,
understand me, do not aver, the ques-
ton arises, would it not be better for
us, in trying to improve our stock. to
make our selections for the purpose with
out regard to the animals origin In
mi,eh cows. for instance, ouy hit we not
to choose the finest looking animal and
best mixer we can find, whether ma
tive, imported or mixed; and ought We
not to see that the offsprings are the
product Of sire chosen en- the same
princi pie Is it not likely, and does
not experience, so far as it has been
made, show that the tendency Of this
sort of breeding is to continual I'M
provement in the stock | would ask
the same question in regard to hogs,
fowls. horses, sheep, and all other kinds,
of animals In other words, ought we
not to make more account Of our native
breeds, and seek, by judicious crossing
and care in other respects, 70 attain the
end which we have not We: reach i'll the
nlatter OF stock rai,ing =