, 1883-07-28
Feeding and Breeding.

NO thinking man will need be told
that feeding and breeding are in
timately connected; and yet it is
perfectly reasonable to suppose that
the majority of men seldom consider
them together. At least it is a fact
that there is a great deal Of very bad
breeding as the direct result of very
bad feeding In our swine breeding
we have no doubt whatever that
much damage has been done through
an injudiciOus system of feeding.
The disposition which we have man.
ifesed to force our hogs in order to
make them perfect pictures to the
eye-a course that has led us into
feeding 4 class of food which did not
Osflln an the clements necessary
for the perfect development Of the
animal system-has undoubtedly re-
suited in 4 decrease of constitutional
vigor and an urgent invitation to
disease. We do not pretend to say
that this Is the sole cause of what we
term "hog cholera" but we do not
hesitate 10 say that it is a cause. 1t
cannot be expected that an imper-
fectly developed dam or sire can
breed perfect offspring. In the hu-
man family the children Of consump-
tive parents, for instance, know only
too well what their dangers are, and
weak, sckly parents have weak, sick
ly children, as a rule. 1t is true the
doctrine Of prepotency will operate
here, and it may require generations
Of degeneration, before the offspring
will be total wreck. But prepotency
cannot wholly overcome individual
imperfectiOns. These imperfectiOns
will begin to stamp their impress
upon the first generation, although,
perhaps, to such a slight degree that
they may be scarcely discernible.
But they will become more and more
conspicuous in each succeeding gem
Grafton until the power of prepOtency
is lost and the animal is scarcely a
shadow Of its breed.
We must give special attention,
to individual merit. 1t
makes no difference what the breed
Is, il the animal has been carelessly
bred or injured by neglect or i'm
proper management, we do not want
II for breeder. Whatever the ped
igree Of an animal may be, il it is
not itself good animal, and fairly
in its own makeup, Of
what we would like to have in Off
spring, it should find no place in our
herd. Not that 1t might not produce
4 good offspring, but the point is that
l,'s.,,,ls-.l,, E,,g-sl.aep, tl'e ,l,rst .'rllrI
DrUt,r selection OF breeding hnimuis,
will necessitate much in
ury into the methods Of feeding,
md to maintain the standard Of our
breeds will necessitate our adoption
IF a perfect system Of feeding. Has
The animal been improperly fed, for
so as to develop one part Of
The system to the neglect Of the
other? Has 1t been fattening from
almost its birth for show or other
If so it is not a perfect
lnimal. Such an animal is a stand
ing invitation to the attacks of di-
'ease. 1t is like a beautiful house
any foundation, and its Off
spring will inherit some degree Of
weakness. Has the
lnimal been starved ? II it has been
there is but one result-an impair
ment Of its natural vigOr. The ami
NAL system cannot be left without
proper nOurishment, and maintain
perfect condition. II is n plain and
defiant violation ofnature's laws and
no natural law can be violated with
put entaillng permanent injury. But
no one need be told that a poorly fed
dam cannot produce a good offspring.
The dam must be kept in good con-
lition. But not in high condition.
There is little difference in practical
results between apoOrly fed dam and
4 highly fed dam. The death of the
is the frequent result Of
to high, especially Of the
heating, fat producing foods. "What
causes pigs to die ?" Is quite a fire.
luent inquiry, and the majority Of
Eases the proper reply is ''too much
,orn."
II we would have good, strong,
healthy animals, therefore, this sub
ect of feeding must be kept constan-
ily in view. II may be said to be
ne question in breeding. Every
bone and muscle in the body must be
kept supplied with sufficient nOurish-
ment. There is no need whatever
Of making an animal fat, until we
get ready to fit it for the butchers
block. But there is need Of keeping
The frame work in good order, for
that means harmonious development
and harmonious development means
health and constitutional vigor.-
Rural.
A contract has been made by Pres
dent Gonzales for the planting Of
:, 900, 900 trees in the valley Of Mex
leo, within the four years beginning
March IS, 1884. The trees to be
planted are designated as ash, will
ow, poplar, eucalyptus, troenjapOne,
10000 mountain cypress cedar, acacia,
md miscellaneous varieties. For
compensation the contractor receives
100000.