IN-BREEDING AND LINE BREEDING. 323 



for a while. This cannot be avoided. As soon as there are 

 several animals of the breed, some of which are not very 

 closely related, line breeding is then resorted to. In this way 

 the desirable characters are intensified. 



In many of the old and well established herds and breeds 

 line breeding is practiced. It is then called family breeding. 

 In this way the good qualities of a certain family may be pre- 

 served and maintained for many years without experiencing 

 the difficulties resulting from the practice of in-breeding. 



This method of breeding to be successful must be prac- 

 ticed with much care and good judgment. The success of the 

 breeder will depend on his ability to keep within safe bounds. 

 He must ever be on the alert for any indication of weakness 

 of constitution, decrease in size or any other weakness which 

 is likely to follow in-breeding. 



Both of these lines of breeding were used extensively in 

 the formation of our breeds of stock, also in the establishment 

 of many of our best herds. In the past their presence was 

 in many instances a necessity. At the present time it is 

 doubtful if such methods are of any special advantage in our 

 breeding operations. 



