The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-01-29
Know For What You Breed.

Farm, Field and Fireside.
Know For What You Breed.
The time is long past when the all
purpose animal found ready sale,
writes Jonathan Periam, Of Illinois.
The breeder Of horses must know for
what use he intends the animal. The
breeders of cattle want animals for
beef or for milk. Beef and milk are
no longer eminently contained in the
same animal. They must, therefore,
be bred specially for one purpose or
the other. Sheep are no longer large
" bred for wool and mutton. They
are now bred principally for mutton,
and incidentally fcr wool. Forum
ately, good mutton sheep produce
wool which brings a high price in the
market. The Mississippi Valley, that
portion, at least, between the Allie
ghenies and the Missouri River, con-
tains now an abundance Of the Downs,
superior mutton sheep and bearing
wool Of excellent quality. They come
nearer being q general purpose sheep
than any others. In swine the lead
ing breeds are Poland Chinas, Berk-
shircs and Duroc-Jerseys. They have
but one use-the slaughter pen.
In fowls for eggs and flesh the
Ao;ot;ca md the American breeds,
Plymouth Rock and Wyandots, are
considered the most valuable and are
now broken up into many varieties,
oil good, with enough diversity to suit
the taste of individual fanciers. For
eggs alone the Leghorns ore probably
more largely sought than any other
one of the non-sitting breeds.
Horse breeders are not having IN
especially happy time. Prices are low
} for all classes Of draft and general
driving animals, and common plugs
are not salable at any price. The time 1v
will not again come when they will
pay the cost of breeding and ''break
t ing in." The most valuable horses o.
8 the future will be the English draft
!. tho French draft, tho French ant
l German coach, and for the road, high
: driving, and saddlers such thorough
breds and trottcrs rs ore not goo'
y enough for the track.
j. Among cattle for beef, the breede
0 hos his choice, chiefly Of Shorthorns
y Herefords, and Polled-Angus. Tn
IS strictly dairy breeds are principall
d the Jerseys, Guernseys and Holsteln
W Friesians, with Polled Durhams, Ay1
n shires, and Brown Swiss good se'
d onds. There are individual animal!
Is in fact some milking families,
l. Shorthorns that ore good and lsstln
Ell mixers, but they are not common, NJ
is can they be depended on to be as un
Of formly good mixers as can the tr'
s, dairy breeds. In the West the choi
ht lies chiefly between the Holster
Friesian and Jersey. The former
ee probably the favorite among the farl
ss ing class. Among sheep for profit
nd ble mutton and wool, the breeder b
'e. choice Of Southdowns, Cotswole
Oxfords anl Leicestcrs. The Shro
shires seem to take the fancy OF We
he ern men. The Dorsets are beg
nv ming to attract attention but t
ey Shropshires have won hold that v
we probably stand.
nd In all this, I ON not seeking to
mt yocate any special breed. The in
yidual must study his wants, and
is must study also the capabilities OF
be breed he selects. The day hos pass
or for hit-or-miss breeding. 1tnever mi
are the best money for anyone: i do
i'm expect that the average farmer ,
ure even breed pure herds or hocks,
fol- to make money now he must at le
md breed up, starting with a pure MI
The first cross by pure male.
axe first cross by pure male on
cow blooded, mixed stock, animals
the birds, is a half-blood. The I
, is cross on half bloods is an ami
Of three-quarters pure. The pure n
re- on three-quarters blood gives YOU
ned, animal seven eighths pure. The !
that cross gives one ffteen-si1tee'
l in pure. For beef, milk, flesh and ,
aree Of sheep, flesh Of hogs and for
met and eggs of birds, this last is pr
red. cally equal TO pure bred animals