WHAT IS "PURE BLOOD"? 85 



different kind. One breed will flourish in one locality, but 

 not in another. But in regard to the state of the atmosphere, 

 all animals are more or less affected, and Trhenever confined 

 indoors an abundance of pure air is indispensable. 



In modifjang and changing the growth, development and 

 character of the animal, food has more influence than climate, — 

 its kind, quality and quantity, and modes of taking it, are all 

 important. Not only the whole body, but particular organs, 

 are very much influenced by the kind of nutriment. So, also, 

 in regard to exercise or habit, this will do wonders. These 

 last two agencies, food and exercise, in order to effect great 

 changes, require much skill and attention, as well as time. 



» GOOD MATERIAL NECESSARY. 



But however great the changes that may be wrought b}' these 

 external agents, the right kind of material is indispensable to 

 start with. Probably in no mechanical or manufacturing 

 pursuit, where the greatest skill and ingenuity are requisite, 

 is choice material to work upon so necessary as in the pro- 

 duction of good stock. These external agents may change 

 and modify animal organization to some extent, but they can- 

 not create or make new ; and the better the raw material , the 

 less these external "agents have to do, and, at the same time, the 

 more visible will be the results of their agency. 



Accordingly, in all works ypon breeding, the two lead- 

 ing directions are, first, decide just what is wanted ; and 

 second, seek the best stock that can be found to breed from, 

 or that which bids most likely to produce the qualities desired. 

 But, then, how are we to do it? Where are the directions? 

 Where are the principles of science to guide us ? The books 

 place first upon the list " pure blood ; " but strictly .speaking, 

 blood, in its normal state, is the same in all domestic animals. 

 It possesses fibrin, albumen, and a few other chemical proper- 

 ties in certain proportions, being precisely the same properties, 

 and united in the same proportions, as found in all healthy 

 stock. It is true we have here the word " pure " attached to 

 it; but if we were required to define exactly, in a few words, 

 its meaning, — ^what "pure " is, or in what consisted the purity 

 of the blood, — we should find it a difficult task. Still the 

 phrase " pure blood," as here used, is full of meaning. It is 



