342 PRINCIPLES OF STOCK-BREEDING. 



form and quality, with the frequent occurrence of 

 defects that diminish the value of an individual for a 

 special purpose, the dominant characters of the animal, 

 as determined by inheritance, cannot be predicted 

 with any certainty, and it cannot be relied on to trans- 

 mit the most desirable qualities of its ancestors, as 

 dominant characters, to its offspring. 



The great difference in the actual value of animals, 

 arising from their inherited qualities, may be seen 

 from a single illustration : 



Two persons, A and B, begin to breed Short-Horns 

 at the same time, by making a selection of females 

 from the same herd, so that the value and quality of 

 the animals they start with are the same. 



Mr. A, who has definite ideas of the form and 

 qualities of the animals he proposes to breed, makes a 

 careful study of his herd, with reference to the selec- 

 tion of a bull that will correct any defects he may 

 observe, and, at the same time, improve it in one or 

 more of the most desirable characters. After visiting 

 a number of herds, and making a considerable expen- 

 diture of time and money, he finds the bull that will 

 best suit his purpose ; but, as it is an animal of ex- 

 traordinary merit, the owner does not propose to part 

 with it. As this is the only animal Mr. A has seen 

 that answers all the requirements of his standard of 

 excellence, he finally secures his services at what others 

 might consider an extravagant price. He is deter- 

 mined to establish a herd of the highest attainable 

 excellence, and does not count the cost in carrying 

 his designs into effect. 



After using this bull in the herd as long as it 



