Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-03-28
Improvement of Breeds by the Use Of
Large Sires.

The following article, WHICH will be found
OF interest to farmers, was read at Il recent
meeting OF Percheron horse breeders:
The improvement Of all classes Of domes-
tic animals, whether horses, cattle, sheep or
swine, has been. brought about by the use Of
the finest pure bred males. The great herds
Of Texas and the West have been doubled in
value during the past ten years by the use
of superior bulls of Short Horn, fIereiords
and other improved breeds
The native fiocks OF the country have
been increased in clip Of wool mare than
double that OF thirty years ago by the use
Of pure bred rams. The swiHe have been
transformed by the same process. In all
cases large and we'll formed males Of pure
blood have accomplished the work. The
improvement Of horses has been left TO the
last The past fifteen years, however, has
worked wonderful change While the
general public accepted aud believed IN the
use al large mai-s us means of improve
ment Of all other animals, the Use Of large
stations met II vigorous opposition, as il was
fully believed by a majority Of our people
thai il large stations were bred 10 small
mares, the mares would certainly die in fDal
lug and the fear of producing a coarse, i'll
cessully passed was aggravated by the pop
ular failacy, that has existed for ages, that
the proper way to breed was to use small
stations and large dams. The inconsistency
Of such reasoning is apparent and contrary
To all natural laws, as in the aggregate the
females of all species are much smaller than
the males.
Tros,. days are, however. passed, and our
people have learned that the same theory
that improves cattle improves horses rs well
and the great call for large, fine, pure bred
stations is increased in proportion. IN the
great horse bands Of the West and south
are now 10 I've seen large numbers Of fine
imported Percheron stations, producing
grand results, which as the people see they
are initiating, and the demand for stations
for the ranges Is increased as rapidly as did
the demand for bulls when their success was
established One range now has forty i'm
ported stations on IL The owners Of an.
other band of six thousand head arc going
~ adopt pure bred stalliDus wholly, having
tried them In small way first. The cross
of the Fercheron stallion OF 1000 pounds
with even the Mustang of less than half his
weight has been attended with the best re-.
sults-a half-bood of style and beauty
weighing from 1 200 TO 1900 pounds at ma
turity.
In naming the good qualities should not
omit the longevity Of the race and prepot-
ency in old age, which are sure indices of
high and careful breeding. The smallness
of the foal is remarkable phenomenon in
nature, and the crisis and peril in parturi-
ton need give little concern TO the owner,
and is proof Of high, unchallenged ped
/ igree. Good feet are necessity in order tc
easy locomotion and hard service, and In
this regard there is conspicuous excellence
| do not recall deformty in frog or foot
or founder by water or food. The ringbone
you look for in vain, and SPAWN has not
come under my observation, viewing many
hundreds after ocean perils and the neglect
and abuses Of boys and rough birelngs.-
An immunity from heaves Is the rule, YET
not universal where there is musty hay fol
food OF. drives without reason. A. pleasan
disposition and the endowment Of a broad
brain are excellences Of the first order.
Breaking your colts, IL Percheron., is {
msnomer They come 10 ill the usefu
posts of their parents with the grace and
alertness of princes, always eager 70 be il
readiness for the homage Of subjects, and Il
the use Of the equipage aud material boun
ties in tue royal line. The Pefcheron pro
notes good temper, kindness and trust