The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-02-23
WHAT INFLUENCE ENVIRON
MENT HAS ON LIVE STOCK.
A Paper Read by Fred Woolley Be-
fore the Decatur County Improv-
ed Live Stock Breeders As
ISOLATION.

"A Paper Read by Fred WOOlley Be-
fore the Decatur County Improv-
ed Live Stock Breeders As
| ISOLATION.
In considering what influence en-
vironment has on the breeding and
heredity of our domestic animals,
we must consider all outside in
fluences as environments, such as
character of soil, climatic conditions,
shelter, character of vegetation and
water, and especially the character
or individuality of the breeder or
keeper of the animal. And of all
the influences mentioned l think l
would put the last first, while it is
perhaps not usually considered that
the personality of the breeder or
keeper of any animal is strictly
speaking an environment, still l be-
lieve it has more to do with stamp
ing a desired characteristic on any
race or breed of animals than eli
matte conditions or food and shelter.
For example we know that some
men have developed type of breed
under the same physical environ
ments that the germs of breed has
|
perceptible advancement.
The most striking example per-
haps of this has been the develop
ment of the shorthorn, the early
breeders taking the common cattle
of the country and by their personal
efforts evolving type or breed un-
der the same natural environment
as to soil. climate and vegetation
| that the native cattle had been under
for ages without any advancement.
Then, we see Amos Cruickshank
| taking the shorthorn from his ma
tive soil and climate and changing
his natural environment to what to
| all appearances would be unfavor
able surroundings and yet stamping
upon the breed the characteristic of
heavy flesh and early maturity that
has identified it to the present day.
Another example of this building
up of type or breed from ordinary
surroundings or environment is the
evolution of the American Trotting
horse. This breed has been created
more from the nature and character
of men, who breed the horses, than
the environments under which they
were bred, although the conditions
surrounding their development were
und btedly favorable. l think
there is no question that nearly all
men have a natural liking for some
particular kind of live stock, and
will develop and improve that kind,
while other kinds or breeds he may
keep at the same time will perhaps
degenerate under equal care.
Next in Importance to the natural
fitness or ability of the breeder in
the development of any breed of
live stock, l would put the natural
character of the country. l believe
surroundings, the climate, soil and
that the character of the soil has
more to do with the development of
the different breeds of stock than is
generally realized, and l think we
would do we'll to make more of
If we could certainly determine the
had a natural liking for and then
make a study of our surroundings
so as to determine if they were best
suited to best development of that
kind of breed, there would perhaps
be fewer disappointments in live
stock breeding For instance if
man had a natural liking for sheep,
but was situated in a fiat wet terri
tory he would likely make failure
of breeding sheep, while if he would
60 to dry rolling limestone country
he would likely succeed. The same
may be said of dairy cattle or horses
or any kind of live stock 1t seems
to me that our country, here in
southern Iowa, is particularly adapt
ed to the development of the draft
horse, and I think it would be wise
for all men, who have a natural
liking for that breed, to take adj
vantage of it, and yet there are
plenty of men here, who succeed
better with some other kind of live
stock than they do with horses.
In summing up l would say, that
in selecting our breeding stock we
should try to determine what par
ticuIar kind or breed we have a nat
ural fitness or liking for, then con-
slider, first the character and ability
Of the breed of the stock, then the
natural conditions and environments
under which it was bred, and finally
the surroundings and environments
under which we expect to keep it.
And then perhaps there will be few
err disappointments in the industry
The above paper will be discussed
at the annual meeting of the Improv-
ed Stock Breeders Association, Leon,
Iowa, March 4, 1911. All farmers
Interested in the imDrOyement of
live stock and better farming are
cordially invited to attend the meet
ing. A. E. Cotterill, Secretary.
The Secret of Long Life.