196 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



No doubt it will occur to some here to ask : ' ' What are the indications 

 of utility?" I should like, therefore, to make a few suggestions in this 

 connection, and i would mention the following as among the evidences of 

 utility : 



1. Constitution. — Without constitution progress is impossible. Con- 

 stitution is indicated mainly by width and depth at the heart. A broad 

 shoulder top does not necessarily indicate constitution, but we must look 

 between and back of the fore-legs. Muscular development is also important, 

 and a broad forehead and a good-sized bright eye are other indications of 

 constitution. 



2. Quality.— This is important from both the breeder's and consumer's 

 standpoint. I like to see strong, clean, flinty-looking bone in the legs» 

 The extremely fine bone for which some breeders are aiming has little to 

 commend it. There is a relationship between bone and muscle, and when 

 the bone is reduced beyond a certain point it results in a carcass that con- 

 tains entirely too much fat for the amount of lean. Either extreme is un- 

 desirable, and it is better to aim at a happy medium. The undue reduction 

 of bone also tends to reduce size and lessen fecundity. Other points under 

 quality are general smoothness of form, thickness and evenness of fleshing, 

 mellowness of skin and fineness of hair. 



3. Fecundity. — This is a point that is frequently overlooked, and yet 

 it is one of prime importance. These little, short-bodied, fine-boned, roly- 

 poly animals are rarely prolific mothers. The good breeding female must 

 have a good-sized, roomy frame, and this calls for a fair share of bone. 

 Coarseness is undesirable, but strength of bone and a good length of body 

 are absolutely essential. The mammary glands should also be well devel- 

 oped. 



4. General Conformation.— In general appearance the animal should 

 show a proportionate development of the different parts, and it should meet 

 the requirements of the butcher and the consumer by carrying flesh of the 

 right kind and possessing large development of those parts which have the 

 highest market value. 



5. Character. — This is something that is hard to define, and yet the 

 experienced breeder can recognize it at a glance and knows its importance. 

 It implies conformation to the best type of the breed, but it goes still fur- 

 ther. Character in the male implies a bold, impressive carriage and general 

 appearance. He is a male, and he shows it at every point and in every mo- 

 tion. In the female we look for the reverse. She should be dignified in her 

 carriage, but there is a femininity about her general appearance and bearing 

 which indicates a prolific and indulgent mother. 



6. Pedigree.— A good many people are inclined to look upon pedigree 

 as something distinct from utility. I can not fall in with this view when 

 breeding animals are under consideration. I have already referred to the 

 man that follows a paper ideal, but there is another man who sneers at pedi- 

 grees, and his case is not much better than the other. I have frequently 

 been asked which is of greater importance, individuality or pedigree ? The 

 question does not admit of a definite answer, for it is largely a question of 

 degree, but I can say that neither is complete without the other; that is to 

 say the desirable breeding animal should possess individual merit as well as 

 good pedigree. If the pedigree of a good animal contains the names of a 



