22 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



race that transmits its special characteristics with much 

 certainty, is prepotent. This word suggests power, and 

 really means superior influence. Wild animals and birds 

 represent the purest and most prepotent breeding. They 

 live and develop under conditions that are most natural and 

 uniform, thus resulting in the least change. One wild fox 

 differs but little from other wild foxes of the same kind in 

 form, color, and mental traits. In the opinion of scientists 

 they must have had these characters for a great length of 

 time. The same conclusion applies to any other one species, 

 the product of wild conditions. 



The most prepotent domestic animals are those that have 

 been bred pure for long generations. A breed like Hereford 

 cattle, the family relationship of which can be traced back 

 for a hundred years, represents a comparatively well-estab- 

 lished type and character. In a herd of these cattle we 

 should expect to find the typical horn and head, the blocky 

 form, the red body and white face, brisket, tail, and feet 

 color so universally known. We have examples, however, 

 of old breeds that have not been developed by great con- 

 structive breeders, and consequently a lack of individual 

 excellence among a great number of the animals is found. 

 The importance of heredity in stock breeding has long 

 been recognized. The men who have been most noted in 

 the development of each of the great breeds have agreed that 

 the saying, "like produces like," contains much truth. In 

 fact, in breeding operations they have placed a premium on 

 prepotency and uniformity of character. Bates, the great 

 Shorthorn breeder, was a stickler for type and character. 

 The same may be said of any other man who has become 

 celebrated as a breeder of superior animals. If a man wishes 

 to produce race horses, he must use race-horse blood, in 

 which speed has been the important feature. Great records 

 are being made among dairy cattle to-day, and certain 

 families are noted producers. In studying the history of 



