CHAPTER XXIV. 



THE LAMP OF EXPERIENCE. 



We have now traced the growth of the breed 

 from an humble beginning in ancient North- 

 umbria to a place of imperial power in the 

 cattle trade of the civilized world. For nearly 

 a century it has existed as an improved and 

 well-established type. During that time it has 

 felt the impress of men of undoubted genius 

 and intellectual force. It has also endured the 

 blundering of those who had ability only as 

 destroyers of what others had created. Two 

 opposing forces are constantly at work. The 

 one constructive, the other subversive of all 

 progress; the one animated by a lofty ambition 

 to accomplish something for the uplifting of 

 the breed, the other moved only by sordid con- 

 sideration of present profit. 



At the outset every man who enters the fra- 

 ternity that boasts so many illustrious names 

 should ponder well the real meaning of the 

 word breeder and endeavor to equip himself 

 thoroughly for the intelligent manipulation of 

 the plastic material with which he proposes to 

 work. Is he to make an honest effort to emu- 



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