FP::K(iUSON ON ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. 93 



toes, hay, cotton, s^uj^ar, molasses, tobacco, lumber, wool, coal, petroleum, 

 silvei*, j^old. ami precious stones, iron, copper, lead. /inc. and other metals 

 produced annually in (lie whole country. 



Technical instruction in Animal Husbandry involves several distinct 

 lines coveriuf;: the complete cycle of the mutual reciprocating relations 

 existing between tlie soil, the ])lant. and the animal. Tn actual instructive 

 practice it is taken up und<'r four main divisions. 



In the study of the orij»in. history and characteristics of breeds the 

 student must bring into ])lay an extensive knowledge of the soil, and 

 climatic and economic con«litions in the various countries where these 

 originated. The retentive faculties of his mind will be called upon to 

 carry a large amount of historical knowledge not only in the way of 

 identifying the leading imi>rovers of any breed and the influence which 

 such exerted in modifying and perfecting its type but also in comparing 

 the various modifications in form, correlation and functions entering into 

 the breed as the result of natural forces operating, or in response to 

 <'hanged economic conditions. 



The study of characteristics caji be of greatest service only when the liv- 

 ing subject is in hand for examination. This work calls into play all the 

 powers of observation and develops a power of memory, enabling it to 

 present to the mind's eye a picture of what is ideal in the type of any 

 particular breed. Then best of all, the ability to judge, to draw definite 

 conclusions is developed from the comparison of types presented in bone 

 and flesh with the unseen ideal of the mind's eye; accuracy of measure- 

 ment, a sense of detail and the ability to discern points of strength, and 

 weakness are all developed by this feature of the work. 



Education along whatever line must hold a large measure of compari- 

 son. The study of English literature is largely comparison, so is chemis- 

 try where a knowledge of metals, for instance, consists of a comparison 

 of their varying properties and of their products under treatment with 

 difl'erent reagents. One of the primary functions in botany is comparison, 

 in fact as it is today, the chief element entering into our natural sciences 

 is a study of likeness and difference. In our actual work of comparison 

 with live animals the comparative faculty is most strongly in requisition 

 for not only do we regard our subjects as ready for immediate comparison 

 in general conformation, size, weight, and detailed points of structure, 

 but we go a step further and ask which more nearly demonstrates the 

 type of its special breed, which has conformed more nearly to certain 

 expected results with similar given conditions of food and treatment and 

 finally which form is best adapted for production in any given line. In 

 this feature of our work all the faculties before mentioned are exercised, 

 in addition, the student having developed the power to compare must be 

 able to summarize his comparative deductions in the form of a definite 

 expression. Growing out of this comes that personal sense of confidence 

 in judgment which must be for nil time one of the most desired ends in 

 any system of education. 



Under that division of the work dealing with the principles of breeding 

 the student is brought into close contact with many of the most wonderful 

 laws in nature's partly opened book. The factors of inheritance and varia- 

 tion are the foundation stones of the breeder's art, the first assuring him 

 within reasonable limits of the perpetuation of acquired characteristics 

 but limited in its possibilities; the second both toward and untoward in 

 its operation but practically limitless in the o]>portunity offered for the 



