The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1916-08-03
SELECT HEAD OF HERD
WITH GREAT CARE.
Purity OF Blood Very Desirable, But
Not An Absolute Guaranty OF
Excellence.

Sot cuOuSll abhSAASASbA ~ O. ~N~ w
selection of the head OF the herd
whether 1t be a herd Of cattle, hogs OF
other farm animals. The fact that the
character OF the next generation OF
live stock, and, soon, that OF the en-
tire breeding herd will be determined
by the sire that Is being used, should
be kept constantly in mind. The sire
exerts an influence on the herd equal
to that of all the females combined
and for this reason, much more care
and study must be given to both his
individual makeup and ancestry than
Is necessary in case Of any female
member of the herd.
The pedigree of the male must BIG
stuoied, not 50 much for the purpose
of finding therein the names Of "a
nous ancestors which have been
show animals, as to form an estimate
as to the probabilities Of the male IN
question being able to transmit the
essential qualities Of utility. The I'm
mediate parents exert by far the great
est influence on the makeup and
breeding qualities of an individual. II
either parent Is not strong and vlgor
Gus, or If each Of these parents have
not already produced other animals OF
exceptional merit. it is not considered
good business to pay a very large price
for one of their offspring. Unless the
parents have proved their ability to
produce excellence in large NUMBER
Of their offspring the chances are that
the animal in question will prove a
great disappointment. All OF the
grandparents combined exert an influ
ence about equal to one immediate
parent and that should be taken ipto
account. The influence of any given
ancestor back Of the grandparents Is
50 smah as to be practically a negli
gible quantity.
After care has been exercised in the
selection Of the sire, both for 1ndI
yidual excellence and good ancestry
the real trial comes when the actua
breeding qualities Of the male ar
!, tested out by mating him to few fe
males which have proved their meri
as breeders. II his offspring wit
these females fail to show exceptiona
merit, then he should be discarded a
once and another young male tried on
In the same way until satisfactor
one is found. Successful breeders ar
always trying out young males for tn
. purpose Of having something reliabl
in reserve. The failure to take TIL
precaution has been the undoing {
f many excellent herds. Certainly nc
g more than one in four OF the mos
5 promising offspring of exceptions
parents, backed up by the best OF al
cestry, ever really added anythingst
the excellence Of the breed. The s.
lection, then, by pedigree and indivi'
y uality, simply increases the chance
y Of getting satisfactory herd sire
o about one tn four. The wise and su
= cessful breeder Is not willing to tan
}, this risk, bit prepares beforehand u
d til he is absolutely sure of his groun
e Not 50 much attention need be pal
t to the selection Of the herd sire
e case where the stock is kept for ut
!, ity alone, as in case Of a man raisin
hogs for market but in this case ais
1t is of first Importance that the he1
sire comes Of good parents and th;
!" he is strong and vigorous in ever
i" way. Purity of blood is no absolu'
: guaranty of excellence. The chance
are that the pure-bred sire will
: able to transmit the desired qualitit
: with much more certainty than
e case Of the animal with a mixed a
; cestry, but vitality and proliflcae
: are the all-important and far-reachin
= factors to be considered.
E. L. Jordan,
, 6<oko Yyok,,orolk