The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-18
The Value of a Record.

Fnlladelphla record.
The time was when the pedigree of an animal
alone sufficient to stamp it as firstclass and
of superior excellence. Although pedigrees are
still adhered to, breeders have discovered the
fact that they have been entirely too exclusive
IN this respect, and that many good animals pos
sessing superior merit have been overlooked be-
caused of supposed ignoble ancestry. AS if de
ternined to push their own claims, the discarded
colts, when given the privlegeon the turf, forged
their way to the front, the neglected heifers
filed the pals to overlooking, and the chance
pigs attained weight not believed to be within
their reach Acting upon the suggestion that an
improvement in stock might be effected by
breeding only from animals of merit, though of
good blood, breeders have done more within the
past ten years to elevate the standard of stock
than had previously been done in half cen
tury,
Among the notable instances of peIpetuating
the strains celebrated for actual performance
may be mentioned the Jersey cow ConlaSsie.
Several cows have exceeded her record as a but
ter producer, but this particular COW not only
possessed extraordinary merit herself, but has
transmitted her excellence to all her descend
ants. High prices are paid for calves that trace
to her, even when their future is unknown, for it
has become established theory that her de-
scendants cannot fail to give satisfaction.
The Holsteins, heretofore known as the deep
est mixers, have lately proved themselves not
inferior as butter producers. The HoiSteln cow
Mercedes, belonging to an Iowa farmer, has ex-
ceeded the yield of any COW of the Jersey breed,
and, owing to this combination of the qualities of
both milk and butter the young calf of Mercedes
lately sold for s. 200, the buyer being unable as
a matter of course, to Judge what the calf should
accomplish at maturity. His judgment
based solely upon the excellence of the dam, he
believing that the foundation has been discovered
upon which to build up a herd of Holsteins that
may eventually rival the Jerseys as butter pro
ducers although the hefer calf, on the side of its
sire, descends only from strains celebrated for
the quantity of milk produced instead of butter.
Among our stock of common hogs have been
found animals superior to others for certain pur
poses, and it was in that manner that the cee
brated Chester Whites were established. For
long time they were not regarded thorough
breds and at the Centennial exhibition. the
judges who awarded the sweepstake prizes passed
them by, giving the premiums only to the breeds
of English origin; but it could not be denied
that the Chester Whites made as creditable a
display did any other breed on exhibition.
Since then they have been still further i'm
proved, and are as popular as any of our breeds.
The Poland Chinas were produced by promiscuous
crossing, and the Cheshires have been bred for
merit, without regard to pedigree or ancestry.
If merit is of so much importance to the
breeders of blooded stock, the farmers should
also determine to make their selections of stock
only from the most meritorious They can more
easily improve their ordinary stock than can the
breeders of thoroughbreds for the farmers have
the privilege of resorting to thoroughbreds for
assistance; but every farmer should learn that
the proper method of stock breeding is to study
the characteristics of every animal and do all in
his power to improve his hocks and herds in that
manner