328 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



of our breeds at the present time. It differs from the, exist- 

 ing methods of breeding in that it does not run to fads and 

 fancies in the line of color markings, shape of ear, family 

 strains, and so on. This fad or fancy breeding has been the 

 ruination of some of the very best breeds of stock this country 

 has ever seen. Good pedigrees are desirable, but there is 

 such a thing as paying too much attention to the pedigree and 

 not enough to individual merit. They must both be given due 

 consideration. The only safe method of breeding stock is to 

 have a standard of excellence and always select animals with 

 the view of approaching this end, regardless of fads and 

 fancies, as they will always sooner or later bring you disaster. 



