Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-05
9aily geuaebtt 9uarnal.
Questionable CoIors.

The unpopularity of gray horses, be
they bred for draft or speed, has often
been d subject of comment. So far as
the writer is aware, no one with working
knowledge of horses has ever cortended
that grays have been deficient in wear
ing power. General experience. indeed,
favors the grays for wear, and the speci-
mems which whiten with age are almost
invariably regarded as being durable in
a special degree. Still the grays are TO
some extent going out The best of them
show their years rather inconveniently
for an age and country much given 10
making exchanges. and the light color Is
of course at a discount in the stables.
Among some of the heavy breeds in va
rious parts of the country there is a pre-
judice against chestnuts. a bright CHEST
nut colt has scarcely a chance now of
being left entire in the Clydesdale sec
ton. and matters are much the same
among the Shires. Its a bad color.
says one ~ like it well enough" says
another, but one must study the mar
ket." An excuse is found for the color
in thoroughbreds and Hackneys, and
those who favor it point with triumph to
the standard color of the Suffolks.
There is high proba bility for holding
that domesticated animals tend, in the
absence OF mans controlling power, to
become light in color In the feral state
color is distinctly protective, and that
being so it tends to uniformity and to
the hues which blend most fifty with en-
vironment. And the breaks from uni
formity are apt to receive rude checks in
the struggle for existence. A black or
spotted rabbit of the wild species, for in
stance, is immensely handicapped when
contending in the open against Its foes.
The forces of the universe conSplre
against ii, so to say. and it runs a great
chance of having Il short life. That be-
ing so. the sport has little opportunity
of being .perpetuated. But it is assaiied
from within as well as from without 1t
has to contend against general UNIFORM
ity in the species. and against the attack
ing powers of the field.
A few years ago there Was something
like a set against white Short-Horns,
because the Americans would not have
them They were bred out to large eX-
tent. What was the consequence? me
roans became darker and some of the
reds which were run on for abroad uiu
not in every case have the melioWness OF
touch so much desired by the best breed
ers at home. Whites are once more md
ing some favor in this country, ana WIN
them there are appearing a proportion
of the rich medium-tnted roans, ana
fewer of those dark mixtures which are
sometimes difficult to classify. The al
mighty dollar has had much to do with
the elimination of white from the undef
line of the lAberdeen-Angus breed. NOW
adays we sometimes find an inky black,
with wiry hair and hard skin. The ami
nal with white marking was almost IN
yariably kindly TOUGHER. OF course one
can say the like of the Aberdeen-Angus,
which begins life with brownish tlnge
in lis hair. Such an animal will rarely
be found harsh in skin as 1t grows up.
The white marking has probably gone
once for all, but 1t would be well to pc
ware of the inky black.
Brown is the boycotted color in high
land herds Yet the almost black-bodied
animal with lighter color round the
muzzle above the eyes. inside the ears,
and with the stripe along the ridge OF
the body and down the tail, is to some
an agreeable variation. Brown ethe do ii
or DOM of Gaelic-speaking people, VIII
NOT register The book must nave II
as black or brindled. No one except a
poor tenant farmer breeding commerciai
cattle would think of leaving "A pun can
Of the color uncut. me amman Wnulu
not be takea into any herd OF STANDING.
The policy which practically forces
breeder to steer conspicuously good
calf is not perhaps the sounaest, now
ever Some dark brindled bulls with the
ike color away back IN thelr pcuisLees
. 70 very ant to leave a few browns When
fhev are used on red cows. colof
which is dislked by Highland breeders
and sometimes with snow OF retsoh' -
fine dark red which mas the accountant
,,e,,.fs Of a blackish shading round the
muzzle and black hairs in the tar AMI
mails so marked are seldom conspicuous
for good ollality They rather tend TO De
barsh in their coats and wanting IN flesh
ING. properties. The writer, however mas
sann some very good cows of the UNI
fashionable shade just noted. A STRAIN
which still goes under the name Oh BUS
Wii i, fpIaaI NIuzzle) is to be found in
ilu'i 80, None co,1ntry. but the modern
ehe - Of the Old name 10 not
ini,arisblv stick TO their colors. Fashion
apart. brown is fit to take care 60, OF its SCI
,ifhar for feeding or milking; the dark
- ,'i+b mack i'm its company had better
be be- insspected-London Livestock Jour