Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1891 — LIVE STOCK. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LIVE STOCK.

Blethod In Home-Breeding. The importance of method of horsebreeding is so little understood by most farmers that it is no* to be wondered at that in many sections of our country “scrubs” are numerous and complaints many that horse-breeding does not pay. With a population that is increasing, both in city and country, the demand for horses is sure to increase in like proportion. All kinds of horses always have been, and all kinds always will be raised, consequently there will always be a wide range in prices. Those who breed for an object and attend well to the details, will find horse-breeding a source pf profit as long as horses are wanted. It is not possible for all to own nrst-class mares, but this should not deter them from using the very best stallion obtainable, and thus take the first step toward improvement. The Introduction of imported sires, and the popularity they have won whereever introduced, is termed by many a “craze” that would soon die out if let alone. They have let it aloDe, but it does not die out, for the reason that in all the countries from which these horses are brought, method is used in breeding. A horse is no better from the mere fact of his having been imported, but years of breeding in a direct line, and from sires whose purity of breeding can be traced back for generations, is of incalculable value in a sire, especially one that is to be used in a locality where the mares are of mixed or no particular breeding, because he has received «nany infusions of blood from one and

the same source, every one of which adds to his ability to transmit this same blood to his progeny. For this reason a sire should be chosen, but not because of some one point in which he excels, but because he averages best in all points, for prepotency and the laws that govern it may be applied both ways, and any defect in the sire is very liable to be transmitted to the foal.

In this particular locality the Percherons have done much toward giving us better and more sizable horses. More recently the French coachers have been introduced, and have become very popular. Heavy horses are in demand in all large cities, where heavy loads must necessarily be moved through the crowded streets slowly; so, from motives of economy, heavy loads must he drawn, and heavy horses used to draw them.

The custom prevails in some localities where a pure-bred stallion has been kept for several years, for farmers to keep some of their grades as stallions, and by offering their services at low figures, they sometimes succeed in getting considerable custom. This practice should not he encouraged where the services of a purebred horse arc obtainable; for, although a well-bred grade stallion may, and occasionally does, get very good . colts, the mixed breeding in both sire and dam renders the result very uncertain, and you are breeding without method, which in the end is almost certain to prove unsatisfactory.—F. H., in Country Gentleman.

A Hog Water. This is the plan of a home-made hog water which costs little or nothing, says Farm and Home. It is to run the water from a tank or artesian

well. Ta k e a strong barrel (a kerosene barrel is the best) and bore a hole below the middle. Then put a one-inch gas pipe, A, into it, letting it project into the barrel

about 5 inches. Put in an elbow and a piece of pipe 0 inches long, B. Take a piece of 2x4, C, 8 inches long and bore 21 inch holes 2J inches apart, In one insert a piece of 2x2, D, 5 Inches long. In the top of this make a slot 1J inches long and 4 inch wide. Next take a stick 16 inches long, E, A inch thick and 1 inch wide. Bore two holes in this, one in the end and the other 2| inches back. Put this in the slot in the 2x2 piece. Bore a hole through this and put a pin through them both, leaving the short end next to the other hole in the 2x4. Drive the 2x4 on the pipe and then take a piece 2x2 and make a slot 2) inches deep. Bore a hole in the slot and put a pin through it and the hole in the end of the lever. Fasten a round piece of rubber, F, on the block, 2 inches in diameter, to fit over the top of the pipe. Fix the other lever to the barrel as shown in the cut and fasten the two together with a good leather string, G. The float is a large board. When the hogs drink the water down the lever falls and the water runs in. This raises the float and the lever shuts off the water. The top of the barrel is covered with boards and the holes made just large enough for the hogs to get thoir noses in.