The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-09
In. Breeding and Diseases.
Philadelphia Record.

Philadelphia Record.
Some of the epidemic diseases now raging in
different portions of the country were unknown
decade ago. But as the stock became firmly
fixed and separated as distinct breeds, the more
prevalent became the diseases that were pre-
viously but little feared In-breedng does not
cause disease, but rather enfeebles the animals,
thus rendering them more liable to attack and
also less capable of withstanding the disease. 1t
may not be true that in-breeding has any in
huence in the matter. but comparison of the
ravages of hog cholera in the herds Of we'll bred
hogs and those that are bred by the survival of
the fttest" with the mortality among hogs
ranging on mast in the woods will show differ
ence.
The more in-breeding is practiced the sooner
the inherent qualities and characteristics of an
animal become fixed and permanent That in
breeding is becoming regular practice may be
noticed by the claims of large percentages of the
blood of certain sires and dams in their descend
ants. The sons and daughters of noted Jersey
bulls bred together, and closely is the
rule followed that the breed has been divided
into the Coomassie Eurotas, st. Lamberts and
other families or strains the result being gain
in the usefulness of the breed but loss of
vigor.
The Berkshire, Essex. Sussex and Yorkshire
hogs TALL English breedsl have been closely in
bred so long that the latter. which are white.
are fine in bone, perfect in form, and frst-class
for crossing on coarse, large sows, but unfit for
practical purposes. By crossing two or three
l.
est recommendation being that il was hardy,
and it became a general favorte in the West.
In the endeavor to make it established breed
pedigree-book was made, in-breeding resorted
to, and it can now no longer claim superiority
over the Berkshire as a hardy, al-purpose breed
The Chester White at one time superseded all
other classes of swine in this State. It was a
coarse boned hog, but hardy and free from dis
eases. Being improved and made finer in the
bone, with better form, 1t is not so we'll adapt
ed for the farmer as formerly, though still
excellent breed.
All classes of animals except the trotter
which is still cross-bred animal) have degen-
Grated from this cause to a certain extent, far
as vigor is concerned, although there are excep-
tions among cattle. The running horse. possess
ing greater speed is incapable of enduring four
mile heats; while the short-horns are best suited
where the pastures are rich and but little exer-
ton is required. These conditions are natural
now and require that the of the animal
should correspond with the changed circum-
stance. But the hog is thus transformed from
an animal OF active, roaming disposition, and
we shorten his legs increase the weight of his
body give him a dshed face and confine him so
as to render him entirely dependent, with no
good quality except to store up fat; then unless
he is kept where he have clean quarters
pure water, warm bed and something besides
corn food he will not be able to fulfill the OBJ
ject of his existence and should disease appear
he will be more likely to fall victim.