270 AGRICULTURE FOR COMMON SCHOOLS 



idea of his value as a breeder. Likewise, we can know some- 

 thing of the quahty of the dam. Young and untried animals 

 may prove a disappointment. However, it is not advisable to 

 select animals too old, for if they have gone past their prime 

 their offspring may not have the strength and vitality that it 

 should. Moreover, old animals cannot be used very long, so 

 that the herd will not increase very much from their blood. 



It is also desirable that animals used for breeding should 

 be in good health and free from defects in body. Animals 

 suffering from disease are likely to produce weak, puny, and 

 undersized offspring. Moreover, animals having defects in 

 form are likely to impart the defects to their offspring; that 

 is, the young will inherit defects from their parents. None 

 but superior animals of good breeding should be used for 

 breeding purposes. 



A very important item in successful breeding of live stock 

 is the care given the animals used for breeding. One may 

 have breeding stock of the best quality, but with careless 

 treatment it will give very poor returns. 1. Breeding animals 

 should be properly fed. Sufficient food and food of good qual- 

 ity is necessary to keep the parents strong and healthy and in- 

 sure vigorous offspring. Musty, mouldy, rotten, or dusty food 

 should not be fed to animals intended for breeding purposes. 

 Live stock relish clean, sweet, pure food as much as human 

 beings do. 2. What has been said concerning food applies 

 also to the water which animals have to drink. Clean and 

 pure water, about 50° F. in temperature, is as important for 

 animals as it is for man. The fact that a hog will wallow in 

 the mud is no sign that clean water is not best for it to drink. 

 3. Clean and comfortable barns and sheds are desirable for 

 winter and cool, shady places for summer. Artificially warm 



