Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-17

there are many drawn from the legen-
dairy ages to the present time, let that
of the horse, so familiar to all, be taken.
Here the word culture attains fgur
alive meaning, for the horse is not liter
ally titled or cultivated. He is not
cleared of brush and rock, plowed and
planted, narrowed and harvested. AS
all the conditions are made as favorable
as possible for the increased growth and
development of the wheat stalk, by
clearing the soil of other plants, by
plowing the soil to make it loose and
easily penetrated by the up-growing
stalk, by selection OF best stock; by ir-
rigating it at proper times; by manur-
ing it, and giving it every possible bit of
sunlight, warmth and strength-so in
the culture ofthe horse, every condition
is made favorable for its growth, ac-
cording as race, draft or road
sters are wanted, for qualities
of speed, strength or endurance
as desired. Note what wonderful pro-
ficiency American trotters have attained
to in this age. Scarcely fifty years ago
the world stood aghast at the horse
which could trot mile in 2 minutes
and 40 seconds. Now it was only a
nine-days' wonder when this record was
iSuuceu Ola secOnuS.
This thorough breeding is beneficial
in all directions. Thoroughbred horses
can pull heavier loads and endure more
fatigue than others. Thoroughbreds
are better farm horses, better family
horses, better army horses, better every
way.
Thorough breeding has been carried,
to high decree of success also in dogs,
nHs snlxa
with increased efficiency and benefit in
every direction. The chicken breeder
says: "Give me any reasonable ideal,
and will produce the desired result !"
to such high degree has he brought
his practice OF the art of chicken breed
ing.
With all these facts in the vegetable
and animal kingdoms, how often has
lis not man, standing at the head of
the animal kingdom, subject to the
same laws of breeding?" This is stirpi-
culture. Cannot men become thor
| oughbreds? Is the thought of
beautiful thoroughbred man any more
revolving or less enhancing than that of
thoroughbred horse? He who loves
not fine horse nor fair woman indeed
has froggy blood in his veins. Would
not thorough breeding in man develop
al! his powers? Could not the same
rules be applied to men as to horses, and
with equally as good results?
Perhaps that fearful barrier, the "pres-
ent state of society,"" might be too con-
servative an element for the reformer to
successfully encounter. but he should
take courage and also the future state
of society" under his wing, and then his
success is assured.
Already there is happy change for
the better. The "belled' wether has
jumped into the ditch of athletics, and
the herds of humanity are following.
Man is like an orange tree-his response
to culture is wonderful. Everybody
| should take regular daily muscular ex.
! ercise, gentle at first, but increasing the
degree in time. This, with careful and
regular grooming and attention to
| hygienic laws, would wonderfully i'm
| prove the "present state of society"
| Again, in the union for the continu-
ance of the species, the best ''stock"
only should assimilate "Blood will
tell" despite all the ridicule upon the
| subject.
Certain diseases follow down certain
lines of descent. Consumption is the
most familiar example. What crime is
greater than that committed by con-
sumptives in becoming parents? Such
unions should be prohibited py law, as
well as those of miscegenation. Here,
especially in Southern California, where
there is snch great influx OF consump-
tives, it we'll becomes everybody con-
templating parentage to inquire into
the pedigrees of their proposed partners.
Five generations of athletes, properly
bred and recorded, would enttle them
to be called thoroughbreds. This would
be about 100 years from date, but what
a magnificent race of cultured men they
would be Tall, ,well-proportioned, strong,
healthy. happy and long-lived. the fair
est animals beneath the sun; yea, very
gods
In such bodies, governed by such
brains, what grand minds could dwell |!
1t is to be hoped that in the present
athletic-tending age, intellectual culture
will not be forgotten. Unfortunately,
that seems to be the present tendency.
Intellect is used only as a means to
amass wealth, which seems to be the
only end desired, but it should not be.
A sound mind should dwell in a sound
body.
These thoughts are crude, but they
represent the effort of struggling idea
to express itself from the mind of
A DREAMER.