Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1876-02-10

of stock in their ne~ighborhoods,
we must conclude that the tendency has
been. as in the early history OF kentucky
to increase the size, without much
to quality, and that in consequence
the cattle were inclined to be coarse and IN
ii tfarent feeders. Blackwell, in breeding
sheen. found that refinement increased the
fat. and he carried the practice so tar that
his sheep wereall fat, and another improver
vould be required to breed sheep that
would produce flesh.
"In the days of the Ceilings an animal
with light, long, structure, fine, delicate and
well-placed head, with beauty and compact
ness of form. was the essential model re-
ouired. because the mass Of the stock was
coarse. Therefore, these characteristics
were matters Of real importance, as they
were also in those days in the absence OF eX-
tended pedigrees, the material indications OF
good breeding.
"But. sir. we find ourselves in a different
era altogether. We are dealing with a we'll
established and highly-developed breed, in
regard to whose purity OF blood we are no
longer required to guess by inspection OF
characteristics, but which, nevertheless, pro-
duce these characteristics with such uni
formity that little or no attention is required
to improve or perpetuate them. We have
no well-bred shorthorns in our day With
coarse, ill-shaped heads and legs. Iii rare,
indeed, that we find a hide too thick, if it is
o,,1, 1,;,1<1;nm and pna11ou Go thof thaca
indications of high breeding have come to
be regarded as little else than mere matters
Of style and fancy"
The Judge did not wish it to be under
stood that he was opposed to beauty of
form, with style and elegance i'll the general
appearance. On the contrary, he had a
keen relish for these things. His plea was
for the useful qualities, and that practice in
breeding that would establish and maintain
them:
81 object to incestuous breeding, especial
" where it practiced merely for the purpose
Of continuing in the line because, when it
is thus practiced, as [ have attempted to
show, it tends to impair constitutional vigor,
ttllu ullC w olIAl ICCOlHS ul1lU1CS Ill
though it produces that high refinement of
form that is SO tacinating to stock-fanciers.
And in this connection / submit to the can
did Judgment Of gentlemen, whether it is
not true that much of the reputation that
has been made by inbred bulls has not been
on account of these indications of high
breeding and style in the progeny, rather
than their excellence in substantial quail
ties? [ do not object to breeding in the line
SO long as the line produces animals that are
up to the maximum in good and useful
qualities. know that we occasionally find
an animal that is far superior in excellence
to the average of the race. When the prog.
eny of such an animal exhibits the same eX.
cellence they are of course reserved fol
breeders, and in such case we indulge in a
little m-breeding, so long as we are able tC
keep up the desired excellence. While {
, breeder can show me cattle that are superior
5 in useful properties, | have no right to con
denim his system whatever it may be, I'm
f der other circumstances and conditions, SC
t long as it continues to produce good stock
it is the right system for him. And, on tn
T other hand, if | can show that his stock
l though superior in style and refinement
f and of the most fashionable blood, bret
strictly in the line, are yet defective in 70
: business OF constitu Jon, or in thrifty, grow
ing and feeding qualities, it is obvious tina
his system is, indeed, faulty and should b
1 changed"
) The address Of Judge Jones was not ad