STOCK. 163 



most farmers. Nor is it a matter of guess-work ; the results 

 can as well be predicated and are as reliable as the raising of 

 good fruit by the use of scions from trees producing such fruit ; 

 the process is by no means so simple, but it is equally as cer- 

 tain. Nor are the difficulties to be overcome insurmountable. 

 With careful study and close observation and the use of good 

 sense, these certain and important results are attainable ; and 

 when we consider the relative importance to every farmer 

 of the difference between a good animal and a poor one, all 

 this necessary care and effort is readily appreciated. Taking 

 into consideration the fact that in this section of country the 

 milking qualities of the stock are of primary importance, it is 

 absolutely necessary that only those cows should be used for 

 breeders which have exhibited in a preeminent degi'ee such 

 qualities, and also that those from which they have sprung 

 have likewise been similarly distinguished. The fact that a 

 cow is in herself a good milker, but whose ancestry has never 

 shown any great excellence in this particular, is no evidence 

 that she will transmit this quality to her offspring. There 

 must be an inherent power, the result of a long and careful 

 process previously carried out in the progenitors of the ani- 

 mal to insure this successful result. How often have we 

 known of sad disappointment by overlooking this established 

 principle. It is an uncertain risk to breed from animals whose 

 good qualities are merely accidental. Such animals may pro- 

 duce good stock if bred to bulls which have come from well- 

 established breeds, although even with this advantage the 

 certainty is not so probable. Yet it is far better to do this, 

 because a fresh strain of pure blood would be introduced which 

 will, if subsequently sustained, assert its influence, than be- 

 cause the cow having no such record is served by a " scrub," 

 with no possibility for improvement. Every good cow, pos- 

 sessing "good marks," should alwaj^s be served by thorough- 

 bred bulls coming of stock distinguished for the qualities re- 

 quired. By this means, with judicious management, in a 

 short time an improvement is begun which may ultimately 

 establish a stock of the very best and most desired qualities. 



When we consider the cost of raising and keeping stock, 

 the character of our farming region, the quality of soil, the 

 variableness of climate, our long, cold, tedious winters, re- 



