The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1883-06-30
Feeding and Breeding.


No thinking man will need be told
that feeding and breeding are intimately
connected; and yet II IS perfectly rea-
SCRABBLE to suppose Sat the majority Of
men seldom considor them together.
At least it is fact that there is great
deal of very bad breeding as the direct
result of very bad feeding. In our
swine breeding we have no doubt what
ever that much damage has been done
through an injudicious system of feed
ing. The disposition which we have
manifested to force our hogs in order to
make them perfect pictures to the eye
"a course that has led us into feeding
class of food which did not contain all
the elements necessary for the perfect
development of the animal system--has
undoubtedly resulted in a decrease of
constitutional vigor and an urgent in
vitation 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 to say that it is cause.
1t cannot be expected that an imper-
fectly developed dam or sire can breed
a perfect offspring. In the human
family the children of consumptive
parents, for instance, know only too
well what their dangers are, and weak,
sickly parents have weak, sickly chill
dren, as a rule. 1t is true the doctrine
Of prepotency will operate here, and it
may require generations of degenera-
ton, before the offspring will be a 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 slight de-
gree that they may be scarcely dis
cernible. But they will become more
and more conspicuous in each. succeed
ing generation until the power of pre-
potency is lost and the animal is scarcely
a shadow of its breed.
We must give special attention, there
fore, to individual merit. 1t makes no
difference what the breed is, if the ami
nal has been carelessly bred or injured
by neglect or improper management,
we do not want it for breeder. What
ever the pedigree of an animal may be,
if it is not itself a good animal, and
fairly representative in its own make
up, of what we would like to have in
offspring, it should find no place in our
herd. Not that it might not produce
good offspring, but the point is that it
will not produce the best. The proper
selection of breeding animals, there
fore, will necessitate much inquiry into
the methods of feeding, and to maintain
the standard Of our breeds will necessi-
tate our adoption of a perfect system of
feeding. Has the animal been i'm
properly fed, for instance, so as to de-
velop one part of the system to the neg
lect of the otherp Has it been fattening
from almost its birth for show or other
purposesp If SO it is not a perfect ami
NAL. Such an animal is standing in
vitation to the attacks of disease 1t is
like beautiful house without any
foundation, and its offspring will inherit
some degree Of constitutional weakness.
Has the animal been starvedp Ii it has
been there is but one result-an impair
ment of its natural vigor. The animal
system cannot be left without proper
nourishment and maintain a perfect
condition. 1t is plain and defiant
violation of natures laws and no natural
law can be violated without entailing
permanent injury. But no one need be
told that poorly fed dam cannot pro-
duce a good offspring. The dam must
be kept in good condition. But not in
high condition. There is little differ
enee in practical results between a
poorly fed dam and highly fed dam.
The death of the offspring is the fire.
quent result of feeding too high, especi-
ally of the heating, fat producing foods.
"What causes my pigs to dep is quite
frequent inquiry, and in the majority
of cases the proper reply is ''too much
corn
If we would have good, strong,
healthy animals, therefore, this subject
of feeding must be kept constantly in
view. 1t may be said to be the question in
breeding. Every bone and muscle in
the body must be kept supplied with
sufficient nourishment. 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. Vest
crn Rural.