122 PRINCIPLES OF STOCK-BREEDING. 



accompanied by local disease, will involve a corre- 

 sponding decrease in the activity of the reproductive 

 powers. 



From the antagonistic conditions presented in the 

 law of correlation, it will perhaps be impossible to 

 secure the highest type of perfection in the produc- 

 tion of fat without impairing, to some extent at least, 

 the functions of the reproductive organs. 



We have already noticed the apparent incompati- 

 bility of the fat and the milk producing functions, and 

 we find also that a diminished secretion of milk is 

 often observed in animals that are not prolific, while 

 the best breeders are usually good milkers. Prof. 

 Tanner, in his paper which we have already noticed, 

 says : " The formation of milk is intimately connected 

 with the reproductive powers. The secretion of milk 

 is dependent upon the activity of the mammary 

 glands, and these are either under the direct influence 

 of the breeding-organs, or else they sympathize very 

 closely with them. Those animals which breed with 

 the least difficulty yield the best supplies of milk, and 

 produce the most healthy and vigorous offspring. 



" Now, it must be admitted that, however much 

 we have improved the symmetry and feeding power 

 of stock, we have suffered them to deteriorate in value 

 as breeding animals, by the decrease of their milking 

 capabilities. In proportion as we adopt a more natu- 

 ral system of management, for the purpose of keeping 

 stock in a healthy and vigorous breeding condition, so 

 shall we reap the indirect benefit of a better supply of 

 milk. It is true that a deficiency in the yield of milk 

 may be met by other resources, but, since a short sup- 



