Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-11-04
In-Breeding and Diseases.
The Philadelphia Record.

Some Of the epidemic diseases now
raging in different portions of the coun-
try were unknown few decades ago. But
as the stock became firmly fixed and Sc
parated as distinct breeds the more pre-
valent became the diseases that were pre-
viOusly but little feared. In-breeding
does not cause disease, but rather enfee-
bles the animals, thus rendering them
more liable to attack and also less capa-
bic of withstanding the disease. It may
not be true that in-breeding has any in
fuence in the matter, but a comparison
of the ravages of hog cholera in the herds
of well bred hogs and those that are bred
by the Survival of the tittest'' with the
mortality among hogs ranging on mast
In the woods will show difference.
The more in-breeding is practiced the
sooner the inherent qualities and charac-
ter1stlcs Of an animal become fixed and
permanent. That in-breeding is becom-
ing a regular practice may be noticed by
the claims of large percentages of the
blood OF certain sires and dams in their
descendants. The sons and daughters
Of noted Jersey bulls are bred together
and so closely Is the rule followed that
the breed has been divided into the Coo
masaie, EurOtas, st. Lamberts and other
families or strains, the result being a
gain IN the usefulness of the breed but a
loss in vigor.
The Berkshire, Essex, Sussex, and York
shire hogs Gall English breeds) have been
closely inbred so long that the two latter,
which are white, are fine in bone, perfect
in form and first-class for crossing on
large coarse sows, but unfit for practical
purposes. By crossing two or three
breeds the Poland-China was produced,
its highest recommendation being that
it was hardy, and it became a general
favOrite in the west. In the endeavor to
make it an established breed, pedigree
book was made, in-breeding resorted to,
and it can now no longer claim superior
ity over the Berkshire as hnardy, all-pur
pose breed. The Chester White at one
time superseded all classes of swine in
the state. It was a cOarsed bOned hog,
but hardy and free from diseases. Being
improved and made finer in bone, with
better form it is not so we'll adapted for
the farmer as formerly. though still an
excellent breed.
All classes of animals except the trotter
(which is still a cr0ss-bred animan have
degenerated from this cause to certain
extent, SO far as YigOr is concerned, al
though there are exceptions among cat
tie. The running horse, possessing 'greater
speed, is incapable of enduring four-mile
heats; while the shorthorns are best suit
ed where the pastures are rich and but
little exertion is required. These condi-
lions are natural now, and require that
the care of the animal should correspond
with the changed circumstances. But
the hog is thus transformed from an ami
NAL Of active, roaming disposition, and
we shorten his legs, increase the weight of
his body, give him dished face and con-
fine him so as to render him entirely de-
pendent, with no good quality except to
store up fat; then, unless he is kept where
he can have clean quarters, pure water, a
warm bed and something besides corn
as food he will not be able to fulfill the
object of his existence and should dis
ease appear he will be moro likely to fall
victim.