Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-12-16
9artil mud 9OnsrIInid.
Crossing Of Cattle or 9th
er Breeds of Stock.
Fer the Fayetteville Observes.

Aue atIeulFt 10 improve our DO !
nestle animals by means of crossing
is a difficult task, demanding not
only the application of correct prin-
eipies, but great degree of prac.
tlcai judgment and shrewdness.-l
Many have been the fruitless at
tempts that have been made, and in
numerous cases useful breed have
become mongrel in consequence, or
altogether unsuited for the climate
or soil. These results have induced
many respectable breeders to con-
denim the practice Of crossing alto
gether, but certainly without suffi.
Gent reason; for lines OF demarca-
ton between one breed and another
are by no means so strongly marked
as to prevent the union Of different
breeds producing harmonious re-
suits. The object of crossing is
either to increase the size or im-
prove the shape, fattening propensi.
tles,early maturity, fine constitution,
etc. etc. ln producing any of
these improvements it would, at
first sight, appear that all we have
to do Is to select an animal of any
particular breed, most famous for
particular quality we wish TO pro-
euce. Bat this will not always do;
by so doing We shall ortentimes rear
breed weak in constitution, OF form
TOP great a contrast between the pa
rents, shapeless mongrels may be
produced. As general rule to rem
der crossing successful, we should
endeavOr to find some affinity of
constitution between the improvers
and those we wish 20 improve. Gen.
orally the first cross between su-
perior and an inferior race is very
successful, producing animals ap-
proximating, in most respects, 10
tteir more improved parents, but,
after the first cross the blood usu-
ly deteriorates. 1t must, therefore,
be borne in mind that crossing is an
experiment, sometimes succeeding
and sometimes falling 10 producing a
proper combination Of the qualities of
bothparents, Judgments shownin
selecting the successful results, and
rejecting the others; and thus, after
a few generations, a breed is some
times produced which it is desirable
to perpeutate without further mix
ture but this selection must be
continued for many generations, as
the original sin, almost disappearing
10 the first cross,is continually reap
pearing afterwards. 1t is very de-
sirable to attend to certain princi-
Piles by which crossing is influenced;
the more closely the natures of
different animals approach each other
the more likely the offspring they
produce, to be according to our
wishes, for nature does not delight
in contrasts. If two animals very
opposite in their qualities are put.
together, the offspring may Iesem-
bic either one parent or the other,
and the faults of either or both
may appear 10 the second or third
generation. Crossing should be a.
dopted cautiously; let the success
OF the first experiment regulate the
second. 1t is not a bad practice,
where it is intended to substitute a
new for an old breed, to do So by US.
ing the male animals alone of the
new breed for successive generations
until the character of the old breed
is lost. If we cross merely for the
butcher, then it is better to be salts
fed Wirh the first cross alone; but
if We cross to correct bad or pro.
duce favorable quality, then We
should Immediately return to our
own breed as soon as such effect has
been obtained. But the best plan
is to cross upon improved animals at
all times when convenient.
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