[f. L. stirpi- (see STIRP, STIRPS) + cultūra CULTURE sb.] The production of pure races or stocks by careful breeding.
1870. J. H. Noyes, Sci. Propagation, 12. It is one thing to seek in any existing race the best animals we can find to breed from…; and it is another thing to start a distinct family and keep its blood pure by separation from the mass of its race. It is this last method that has produced the Ayrshires, the short-horns, and the Leicesters. It deserves a distinct name, and we will take the liberty to call it stirpiculture.
1883. in Ogilvie.
1891. Amer. Naturalist, Oct., 932. Mrs. Anita Newcomb McGee read a paper entitled ‘An Experiment in Human Stirpiculture.’
1904. Galton, in Sociological Papers, I. 78. Mr. Wells spoke of ‘stirpiculture’ as a term that had been used by others and was preferable to ‘eugenics.’ I may be permitted to say that I myself coined that word and deliberately changed it for eugenics.
Hence Stirpicultural, a., pertaining to stirpiculture; Stirpiculturist, one who is interested in stirpiculture.
1891. Amer. Naturalist, Oct., 932. Of the stirpicultural children only one has since died.
1903. A. J. McLaughlin, in Pop. Sci. Monthly, Jan., 231 (Cent. Suppl.). The stirpiculturist, noting the poor physique and low mental caliber of some of the immigrants, fears race degeneration.
