The breeding industry : its value to the country, and its needs

Front matter

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Preface

T N writing the following pages I have been actuated by the desire to draw closer together two classes of workers in the great field of Biology, the Practical Breeder and the Scientific Biologist.

After some years of work as a student of pure Science, and with some knowledge of the methods and the needs of Breeders, I have formed a firm conviction that the Practical Breeder will gain inestimable advantage from the right application of Science to the industry with which he is concerned. It is my no less strong belief that the field of Scientific Biology will be broadened, the number of workers therein increased, and the means available for their work augmented, as a result of the more intimate

«3 vi PREFACE

relations between Scientific and Practical Biologists which I here earnestly advocate.

The history of all economic industries emphatically demonstrates that their progress and success essentially depend upon the results gained by Scientific research. The Breeding industry is no exception to this rule and our foreign competitors clearly recognise that fact.

Examination of the subject makes it clear that the foundation of any organisation designed for the improvement of this great national industry, must be laid by the Government of the country. Its actual development must, surely, eventually depend upon individual effort ; but no amount of individual effort can supply what is needed for a comprehensive understanding of the ever-varying claims and requirements of the industry as a whole, in the absence of which knowledge no substantial benefits can be initiated or maintained.

For this reason I suggest the establishment of a State Department of Animal Industry,

PREFACE vii

organised and controlled by a staff fitted, by their training; — first, to systematically record the condition of the industry throughout the kingdom; secondly, to deal with the many problems Breeders from time to time require solved ; and thirdly, to present the result of such work to Breeders in a practical form.

The Breeding industry " is the greatest industry to which Science has never yet been applied," the nation which first does so apply Science will gain great and solid advantage, and it is with the hope of helping my own countrymen to this end that I present these pages to those concerned.

WALTER HEAPE.

Cambridge.

Jafiuary^ 1906.

Contents

Introduction pp. 1-4

Chapter I. The Breeding Industry . pp. 5-26 The grain grower and the stock breeder

The claims of the agriculturist

Agriculture and science

Agricultural Societies, Colleges, etc.

The Breeding Industry, its growth

Dairy ; the future of dairying

Meat as food

Breeding and foreign competition

Breeding and science

The art of Breeding

Chapter II. The value of the Breeding Industry pp. 27-73

The figures available

Estimates of capital invested by farmers.

Sir John Caird, Major Craigie, Dr Gif-

fen, Mr Turnbull

CONTENTS

Estimates of value of farmers' live stock, Mr Rew, Mr Turnbull

Criticism of the above and my own estimates for pigs, sheep, cattle and agricultural horses

Estimates for thoroughbred horses, army horses, harness horses, cart horses, hunters, hacks, polo ponies, other ponies, asses and mules, goats, dogs, cats, ferrets and rabbits, poultry and other birds

(Table to face p. 72)

Chapter III. The nature of the work REQUIRED FOR THE ADVANCEMENT

OF THE Breeding Industry pp. 74-115

The necessity for a Government Department of Animal Industry

The Records branch, the need for such, its importance for a variety of purposes, its function as an Intelligence Department

The Breeder as an experimenter

Experimental farms

Disease, and the importation of live stock

The Research branch ; the scientific problems to be dealt with

CONTENTS

Pathological affections, disease

Functional modifications due to specialisation

The result of the forces of Heredity and Variation

The need of specialists for the work, the problems before them

The administration branch, the officers and staff needful and their qualifications

Chapter IV. The Board of Agriculture AND THE Breeding Industry pp. 116-148

Its neglect of the Breeding Industry

Breeders' dissatisfaction with the work of the Board

The Board's treatment of contagious abortion, and the loss it entails to the country. Leaflet No. 108

Government expenditure on scientific research

Analysis of expenditure of Board of Agriculture and of American Department of Agriculture. Comparison thereof

Unfitness of Board of Agriculture for work required

Grants for Agricultural education and research xii CONTENTS

Private research

Organisation and the essential requirements therefor, a matter for the State

The reorganisation of the Board of Agriculture necessary

Introduction

The domestication of animals is one of the most primitive attributes of civilisation, and there is no industry with which man has ever concerned himself, of greater importance to his welfare than the Breeding industry.

Look where you will — apart from purely seafaring peoples — the possession of domestic animals and their successful breeding has ever been of vital importance to the success of a nation ; whether for the consolidation of peaceful settlement or for the prosecution of war, breeding has always been a matter of primary importance.

Under these circumstances it is a remarkable fact that the history of breeding has never been written, but it is a still more remarkable fact that the application of science to breeding has

H. I

INTRODUCTION been almost wholly neglected. Perhaps the neglect of the latter is not unconnected with the absence of the former, but however that may be, we, to-day, concern ourselves but little with either of these things, and we suffer for that neglect to an extent which perhaps few of us recognise.

We have for long been noted for the stock we raise in these Islands. We have for long held the first place throughout the world as breeders. There is reason indeed to believe we do so still, but, and this is the whole point of what follows, our supremacy is seriously threatened.

This industry, which it is not too much to say is one of the most important with which we as a nation are concerned, is about to experience the effects of foreign competition to an extent far beyond anything it has hitherto known.

Other nations are beginning, only beginning it is true, but still beginning to pay serious attention to the science of Breeding.

INTRODUCTION

To us, the result of this new departure, so far, has chiefly been to put money into the pockets of those who have sold, at a high price, much of the best stock they have got. But profits from this source cannot last indefinitely. Some day, perhaps in the near future, these foreign buyers will be in a position to hold their own without any considerable help from our flocks and herds. In one instance at any rate they have already attained that position, and when it becomes general this source of profit will be closed.

But this is not all, nor is it the worst we must anticipate, for, if these foreign Breeders develope the Science of Breeding as they have developed the science of every other industrial pursuit in which they excel ; then, if we do not keep pace with them, they will not only be independent of us, they will beat us with the produce of the stock with which we ourselves have supplied them. This danger is a real one. I believe there are many thoughtful breeders who fully

INTRODUCTION recognise it and I cannot doubt the time has indeed arrived when the future success or failure of the breeding industry in this country must be determined.

The issue is in the hands of the breeder himself, and in urging him most seriously to consider his position in the world now, I would impress upon him the main fact which is to be learnt from a study of the history of the present successful industrial concerns, of every kind, both at home and abroad, namely — the essential part which science plays in the solid development of all practical affairs.

Chapter I. The Breeding Industry

In the good old days when farming- was a profitable pursuit the mainstay of the business was wheat. In those days breeding was largely conducted by farmers whose prosperity was assured, and the gains or losses resulting from breeding were not, as a rule, severally criticised. When from various causes it became profitable to import grain, and the price of home-grown wheat fell, these conditions were altered. It was from wheat the farmer had obtained his profits, and now his energies were directed towards combating, what were to him, the evils resulting from the importation of grain. Breeding of high class stock was comparatively neglected, it became an expensive hobby, it remained chiefly in the hands of men who were not dependent upon the raising of grain for their riches, and in the hands of such men it has, to a very large extent, remained ever since.

The straits in which the farmer as a grower of grain then found himself, led to the need for a more scientific conduct of his business ; this led to experiment, and gave rise to popular movements which have resulted in an official recognition of his needs. There is a Board of Agriculture and much useful work being done by Agricultural Societies, by private persons, and, recently, by the staffs of the Agricultural Colleges, Schools, and Institutes founded in different parts of the country, and by the Departments of Agriculture established in certain Universities. Now scientific instruction in the prosecution of Agriculture is provided and is daily becoming more and more appreciated; now botanists, chemists, and entomologists are employed to solve the many problems which beset the agriculturist. He has now comparatively little difficulty in obtaining expert advice regarding the quality of his land, regarding the best kinds of grain, seeds, roots, vegetables, or fruit-trees to grow thereon, and the most suitable manures for that purpose. He can readily learn the newest methods for the cure of the diseases from which plants suffer, or the best known methods to be adopted for the eradication of the insect pests which interfere with their satisfactory growth, or with their ability to produce crops of value.

Of course I do not suggest that all these matters are now thoroughly understood, or that the best methods for overcoming the many and great difficulties the agriculturist has to contend with, are already known. The work to be done on these lines is quite illimitable, but, as I have already indicated, the claims of the agriculturist have to a large extent been recognised ; the ranks of the scientific workers in this field are rapidly becoming augmented, and, gradually, the great economic benefits which Science can confer upon Agriculture will become more apparent and will be more and more extensively made use of.

The main functions of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, in so far as they refer to Agriculture, appear to be; to collect and publish agricultural statistics and intelligence, to promote agricultural education, to administer the sale of Foods and Drugs Acts so far as they relate to agricultural produce, and to prevent the importation or spread of certain diseases among animals. Of its staff, those specially concerned with agriculture appear to be, a Technical Adviser in Economic Zoology, a chief Agricultural Analyst, one or more scientific Assistant Secretaries (whose qualifications are apparently chiefly those required for agricultural problems), a Staff of Inspectors of various grades, and the newly created "Correspondents" all over the country, over 300 have already been appointed, whose duties are specially designed for the benefit of agriculturists.

Besides these gentlemen, certain of the

Agricultural Societies have consulting chemists, botanists, and entomologists on their staff, available for the needs of agriculturists. Special expert advice is also available from bodies such as the West Norfolk Farmers* Manure Association, and indirectly, if not directly, from the staffs of those Universities which include Agriculture in their curriculum, and of the various Agricultural Colleges, Schools, and Institutes throughout the country, to some of which are attached experimental farms.

Surely then the Science of Agriculture is now fairly started in this country, and, notwithstanding the strictly economical lines on which such Science is run and the very scanty supply of money now forthcoming for the purpose, will surely grow.

The breeding industry is, however, in a very different position. Breeding of first-class stock is still largely in the hands of wealthy men who are not necessarily agriculturists, or if they are lo THE BREEDING INDUSTRY

it is Agriculture which now takes the second place, they are breeders primarily. But the bulk of stock is bred by the farmer, and it is the part he takes which mainly affects breeding as an industry.

Of late years there has been a marked increase in the head of stock in the country.

Perhaps the chief reason for this is the necessary decrease of the wheat acreage. The cause of this decrease is dealt with in numerous papers, journals, and books, and need not be further referred to here ; the fact is plain, and the amount of that decrease since 1869, as set forth by The Times in an article published August 29th, 1904, amounts to no less than 2,313,073 acres, the difference between 3,688,357 in 1869 and 1,375,284 acres in June, 1904. The land so set free is doubtless used, when it is used at all, for a variety of purposes, but the chief of these would appear to be grazing or the production of fodder crops.

Mr New points out, in a paper read before

THE BREEDING INDUSTRY ii

the Farmers' Club in May, 1903, that in the last 30 years cattle have increased in this country to the extent of about 1,250,000, and the returns of the year 1904 show a further increase of over 90,000 {Times, Sept. 5, 1904). Lord Onslow pointed out in August, 1904, that stock-raising has been the salvation of many agriculturists, and surely there is reason to expect it may come to exercise a still more marked benefit on their fortunes.

Take for instance the increased demand for milk and the stimulus thus given to the dairy interest. This is a comparatively recent development, but it is growing fast. Among the many bad habits that we, as a nation, are continually reminded we indulge in, this growing habit of milk-drinking can hardly be classed, here at any rate is a trade with the further development of which even the most fastidious amongst us must be in accord.

One hears from time to time the fear expressed that the trade is already being overdone, in my opinion it is in its infancy. But its satisfactory development will depend upon the scientific conduct of the business, not only as regards the treatment of the milk and the uses to which it can be applied, not only to the feeding of the cows, but, and essentially, to the production of more satisfactory dairy cattle.

Take a single instance in confirmation of my view that the dairy industry is capable of immense expansion. Graziers tell me there is a pronounced decline in the demand for fat meat, that the public won't have it and the butchers don't buy stock, fat, as it used to be fattened. This disinclination for fat meat is associated, if I mistake not, with a greatly increased demand for butter ; since fat is necessary in some form it is not unreasonable this should be so, and when our dairy farmers find the milk trade overdone, there is a vast business to be done in butter, as our enormous imports of that form of food clearly show.

Again, if the full significance of the value of the various constituent parts of milk was generally understood, specially good milk would command a special price from those who could afford to pay for milk of guaranteed quality. The development of such a special trade would benefit both consumer and producer. It is hard to say what class of consumer would fail to take advantage of the opportunity to purchase milk of a high standard of quality, the benefit it confers is so quickly appreciated.

I am told of the substantial success of an experiment on these lines which has been made in a northern city of this country. A certain dairy farmer freezes his milk and supplies it in sealed bottles to his customers, mostly of the poorer class, at a considerably increased price. He finds that the increased value of such milk is recognised to an extent which has enabled him rapidly to increase an originally small business to, I am told, ten times its former size, and still there is a greater demand than he can supply.

A demand for milk of special quality must result not only in more scientific feeding of dairy cattle but in building up herds of finer quality, and the stimulus thus given to scientific breeding would result in important developments.

The dairyman is not necessarily a breeder. Many in the trade buy cows to milk when they want them, and sell them when they run dry. To such men the business may possibly become less remunerative in the future. Those, however, who breed their own cows on right principles, who build up for themselves a herd of first-class milkers on lines which will admit of still greater improvement, who pay attention to the quality as well as the quantity of milk given, and to the food which is necessary to produce that milk ; such men will reap the benefit of increased trade, as the value of the produce they deal in becomes more generally recognised.

Again, consider the continually increasing amount of meat eaten in this country. Bread has hitherto been considered the main article of food, and everything pertaining to the abundance and price of wheat has occupied the first place in men's minds. It is only comparatively recently that meat has been looked upon by the bulk of men otherwise than as a luxury. In these days, however, meat is a common article of food.

In the Fiscal Blue Book, 2nd Series of Memoranda, etc., on British and Foreign Trade (Cd. 2337, 1904) {Times, Dec. 22, 1904), tables are given in which is set forth the amount spent on various articles of food by urban workmen's families. These are classified into families in which the wage earned is under 25^"., from 255-. to 30^-., from 30i-. to 35^-., from 35^-. to 40^-., and from 40jr. a week. In all these the money spent on meat and bacon is greater than the money spent on bread. When the wage is under 25^. bread and flour were put down as costing 3^-. o\d.^ while meat and bacon amount to 3^". 2\d.\ when the wage is 40^-. and over bread and flour cost 4i'. 3|^., while meat and bacon cost ys. 2\d.\ on an average the cost to these working men's families for bread and flour is 3^-. jd., and of meat and bacon ^s. ^d. In these calculations, moreover, no allowance is made for fish.

In a pamphlet issued by the National Hospital for the Relief and Cure of the Paralysed and Epileptic, in a table given of the provisions consumed per year, it is stated that 67,584 lbs. of bread and 78,055 lbs. of meat and fish are eaten. Taking the bread at \\d. and the meat (including bacon and fish) at 6d. per lb., the cost of the bread is ^352, and of the meat ;^I95I. Many of us buy 4 lbs. of meat to 3 lbs. of bread, and yet, with the 4 lb. loaf at, say 5<^., it is still the price of bread we are all exercised about, while the same weight of meat of all sorts costs us 2s. 6d. at least.

It is obvious then that all who are interested in the problem of cheap living, and who is not in these days of wealth? should transfer their attention to the price of meat ; it is the butcher's, not the baker's bill which now causes most anxiety to the housewife.

It is odd that this simple fact appears to have escaped the attention it deserves ; if it were recognised, one cannot avoid the conclusion, that breeding would in its turn receive attention and a more satisfactory development of the science of breeding follow, as has been the case with agriculture.

These seem to me good reasons for the growth of the breeding industry in the past, and no less sound reasons to expect it will continue to grow.

This essential part of the farmer's work should be more clearly recognised. That such recognition must come there can be no doubt whatever. This country was at one time selfsupporting so far as bread was concerned, now it is dependent upon foreign supplies for the staff of life. The English breeder has always enjoyed supremacy over all foreign competitors, and he still holds the first position in the world, but how long will it continue to be so ?

We are exporting in considerable numbers stock of the best blood we have got, our rivals eagerly buy and give long prices for them. This is a matter of supply and demand, it cannot be avoided, those who advocate an embargo on such dealings would at the same time eliminate the stimulus which is at the bottom of our success in breeding. Sir Walter Gilbey laments the transference to Germany of the breeding of a certain class of horse ; the stock which enables the Germans to breed this horse was bought in this country, and the business is lost to us. This is a lamentable fact, and it is a clear indication both of the willingness of our rivals to compete against us and of their ability to do so successfully.

But the means to be employed in combating such competition is not repression, as some suggest, it is by increasing the stimulus which governs the success of the industry that our competitors will be mastered, and, as in agriculture, so in breeding, it is science that must do the work.

Dr Levy, in an article on The Present Position of English Agriculture {Jakrbuch fur Nationalokonomie iind Statistik) argues that England's failure to compete with continental scientific agriculture is due to her disregard of the practical value of science. He asserts that our failure in this field has resulted in our giving more and more attention to the production of stock, in which business he admits we hold a very important position.

Such articles as this one are not needed to assure us that our neighbours are fully aware of the conditions of our business, nor are they needed to impress upon us the keenness with which our failings are recognised and seized upon by our competitors.

If there is one fact more prominent than another in the conduct of all our foreign rivals, it is their determination to make science work for their economic benefit. In all their business science occupies a prominent place ; the application of science and scientific method is an

2 — 2 essential part of their business organization, and while the results they have thus attained are great, the results they will so attain cannot fail to be much greater. Apply these facts to breeding and I ask again, how long will this country retain its supremacy if it does not also call in science to aid it in the conduct of the breeding industry?

At present the breeder, in our march of progress, is neglected. There are doubtless many reasons for this ; the problems are so difficult, breeding is such a subtle matter, the conditions are so varied, the results so contradictory, it seems so hopeless to attempt to grapple with the problems presented, and indeed they are themselves so little understood. All such reasons for neglect may be given, but they are based on fallacy, as I hope to show, and the main reasons why the breeder's difficulties are neglected seem to me to be ; — on the one hand a want of appreciation of the importance of the industry, on the other failure to understand the possibilities for improvement and the methods to be employed in order to attain it.

The Breeder then is in a very different position to the Agriculturist. The difficulties he has to contend with are no less important for the success of his business than are those which face the Agriculturist in his struggle for success, the scientific knowledge required is no less. Indeed, the whole of the problems involved in successful breeding are far more intricate than those the Agriculturist has to overcome ; they refer to more highly organized living bodies, which are more subtly affected by the very various forces existing in nature and created by the artificial conditions inseparable from domestication. Science has never been applied to these matters, it is not officially recognised as worthy of special study, and the scientific aspect of the many problems which lie at the root of successful breeding are almost wholly neglected.

Let us glance for one moment at the reason which has brought about the isolation of Science from the Breeding- industry. Practical breeders are very apt to look upon the purely scientific aspects of the study of breeding as quite inadequate for their purpose; they not unusually look upon the scientific man as a pure visionary, incapable of assisting them in their practical daily struggle; they are not familiar with the results obtained by scientific research, and the bearing of such upon practical requirements is not plain to them. On the other hand, the experience of past breeders and their own experience enables them to get certain results ; they suffer much disappointment, much loss, but this they are accustomed to, and they are disposed to consider both as inevitable.

In the same way, the man of science is apt to overlook the immense value of the store of knowledge which the breeder has at his disposal, he is apt to consider it of very little use to him. He finds difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory account of the breeder's knowledge, he finds his methods governed by beliefs for which no adequate reason can be given ; beliefs, some of which have their foundation in the experience of many generations of breeders under conditions which may be, and some of them doubtless are, entirely different from those now existing. The scientist is disposed to consider such beliefs as superstitions with which the breeder's reason is biassed, his experience impregnated, and he is apt to conclude that much of the evidence to be obtained from the breeder is untrustworthy.

The attitude of both these men is not without justification, the same difficulty is always experienced in adapting scientific knowledge and methods to practical affairs. The task I have set myself is to show the essential need for overcoming this difficulty, to demonstrate the immense importance of the subject, and the great benefits which would follow its satisfactory solution. I am emboldened all the more to undertake this task, beset with difficulties as it is, because, as a biologist who has had occasion to consult breeders continually during the last 15 years, I am impressed with the fact that, in spite of long custom, many practical men are ready to recognise the need for improved methods; they are willing to try those which their financial position enables them to attempt, and are keenly alive to the advantages which careful scientific enquiry promises.

Darwin did much to stimulate the science of breeding, his clear reasoning and the practical value of the great truths he taught has given the modern breeder ample evidence of the important rdle science must play in their business. Since Darwin's day much has been done. In the last few years scientific truths have been formulated which will prove of the first importance to practical breeders, and the old attitude of breeders towards science is certainly no longer justifiable.

In his address to the Zoological Section of the British Association in 1904, the President of that Section, Mr Bateson, said : — " Breeding is the greatest industry to which Science has never yet been applied;" and he added, speaking of the present knowledge of the science of heredity, to which he has specially devoted his attention with brilliant success, and of its economic value, " it will be found of extraordinary use." There can be no doubt he is right; none of those who have concerned themselves with the physiology of breeding can doubt that he is right, not only as regards heredity, but in many other branches of the subject of no less practical importance.

So far I have referred only to the science of breeding, I have not yet mentioned the " art " of breeding. I will do so now. In my opinion this " art " is largely responsible for the success breeders have enjoyed in this country. It may be defined as a special attribute of eye and hand which is born with a man, and in its highest development it is a very remarkable gift. I say gift advisedly, it cannot be wholly taught or learned, many have it to some extent, but only those who possess it in perfection have been, and are, the great breeders of the past and the present day. It has been called falsely science, and those who possess it are said to be scientific breeders; but it is not science, it is pure art, and of the greatest value; by means of it the infinitely minute variations in animals are recognised and seized upon, and by its exercise successful mating is divined.

But, it may be said, If breeding is an art what need is there for science ? The answer is plain, the scientific knowledge of anatomy is no less necessary to the born sculptor than is science to the born breeder. The condition of the breeding industry now is no whit better than was the art of sculpture before anatomy became a science, and by the application of science the breeder will gain no whit less than the sculptor gains by the knowledge of anatomy. As the sculptor of ancient Egypt may be compared with the artist of Greece, so the breeder of the present will, one day, compare with his scientific successor.