Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-11-05
saailu Krnnehft 3nurmal.
In.Breeding and Diseases.

Some OF the epidemic diseases now rag
ing 10 different portions of the country
were unknown a few decades ago, says
the Philadelphia Record. But as the
stock became firmly fixed and separated
as distinct breeds, the more prevalent be-
came the diseases that were previously
but little feared. In-breeding does not
cause disease, but rather enfeebles the an
imals. thus rendering them more liable TO
attack and also less capable of Withstand
ing the disease. 1t may not be true that
in-breeding has any influence in the mat
ter, out comparison of the ravages of
hog cholera in the herds of we'll bred
hogs and those that are bred by the sur
vival of the fttest" with the mortality
among the hogs ranging on mast in the
woods will show difference. The more
in-breeding is~practiced the sooner the in
herent qualities and characteristics of an
animal become fixed and permanent.
That in breeding is becoming 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 Coomassie,
Eurutas St. Lamberts and other families
IF strains. the result being gain IN the
usefulness OF the breed. but loss in Wig
or. The Berkshire. Essex and Yorkshire
hogs-all English breeds-have been
closely in bred so long that the two latter,
which are white. are fine in bone, perfect
in form and first class for crossing
on coarse. large sows, but unfit for
practical purposes. BY crossing two
or three breeds the Poland China
was produced, its highest recon-
mendaton being that it was hardy, and it
became a general favorte in the west. In
the endeavor to make it an established
breed a pedigree book was made, in
breeding resorted to, and it can now no
longer claim superiority over the Berk-
shire as hardy, all-purpose breed. The
Chester white at one time superseded all
ther classes of swine in this state. IL
was coarse boned hog, but hardy and
fee from diseases. Being improved and
made finer in the bone, with better form,
it is not so well adapted tor the farmer as
formerly, tho still an excellent breed.
All classes of animals except the trotter-
which is still cross breed animal-have
u
extent, so far as vigor is concerned altho
there are exceptions among cattle. The
running horse, possessing greater speed,
il incapable Of enduring four mile heats;
while the shorthorns are best suited where
the pastures are rich and but little exer-
ton is required. These conditions are
natural now. and require the care of the
animal should correspond with the changed
circumstances But the hog is thus trans
formed from an animal of active, roam
ing disposition, and we shorten his legs,
increase the weight of his body, give him
q dshed face and coniine him so as TO
render him entirely dependent, 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 ex
istence. and should disease appear he will
be more likely to tall victim.