Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1875 — Selection of Thrifty Stock. [ARTICLE]

Selection of Thrifty Stock.

In fattening animals much depends on having good, thrifty stock to begin with. There is a great difference in this respect, some animals eating heartily at all times, while others are always dainty and poor feeders, particularly among ordinary native and grade cattle. Doubtless there is equal difference in specimens of full-bred cattle, and it is worth more attention than it usually receives. A pedigree is a good thing, but only as it indicates good feeding, fattening or milking qualities. All signs fail sometimes, and the result of the most careful breeding will occasionally be a degenerate specimen, ill-favored and practically worthless for breeding purposes. Such animals should be sent to the shambles at once, no matter what the loss may be to fancy breeders. This is one objection to the pedigree system. The fact that an animal is registered in a herd-book gives it a value of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars, without much regard to its intrinsic merits. Unless there be some rule of this kind the cupidity of breeders will naturally prevent the careful selection which should prevail as much after a herd-book*is opened as before. Good breeds are originated by carefully weeding out inferior specimens. If this process be hot continued the breed will degenerate. It is an interesting question for buyers whether defective animals from pedigree stock are ever refused admission to the herd-book. There is such a thing as reversion to the original type, and if this be not recognized registries and pedigrees may be used to perpetuate and disseminate defects aS well as excellencies. Breeders and purchasers do recognize this fact to some extent, as is shown by the different values fixed on animals from the same strain. In my judgment the intrinsic worth of the animal ought to have greater influence in fixing its price and the pedigree less. This might not he so profitable a rule for breeders, but it would be better for the purchasers and the public. As regards general thriftiness, much may be done by proper treatment and feeding while young. Even an old animal may, with care, be taught to eat almost anything fit for food. This is particularly important for cows. As a general rule, a good milker is never a poor feeder, and where the tendency to milk is established, the more a cow eats the greater the amount of milk produced. In many neighborhoods some poor laboring man has usually a better cow than wealthier farmers, and one reason is that the poor man’s cow gets a greater variety of food and is therefore always a hearty feeder, obeying Paul’s injunction, “ Whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.” A cow that will not do this had better be turned over to the butcher or sold as quickly as possible. J would begin much younger, as it is easy to decide whether a calf gives promise of thriftiness or otherwise. The common way of selling those calves that thrive best'and therefore bring the highest price is all wrong. Better sell the worst and keep the best, either for beef or milk.— Cor. Country Gentleman.