PEDIGREE. 345 



in the individual will not compensate for ancestral de- 

 fects that have been frequently repeated, as the latter 

 will in all probability have a predominant influence 

 upon the offspring. 



In this connection, it may be well to notice what 

 are popularly called " fancy prices " and " fancy 

 points " in breeding. Many persons who are not 

 familiar with the practice of the best breeders seem 

 to think that almost everything relating to pure-bred 

 stock is a matter of fancy only, and that the qualities 

 of real value for the practical purposes of the farm 

 are neglected. 



It is undoubtedly true that breeders often fail to 

 comprehend the relations of form to the qualities of 

 intrinsic value, and that errors in judgment in the 

 selection of breeding-stock are of frequent occurrence. 



The breeders who have gained a world- wide repu- 

 tation in the improvement of the different breeds have, 

 however, made the development of useful qualities 

 their leading or sole object. The animals that have 

 been sold or " let " at extraordinary prices have been 

 members of families that were noted for their uni- 

 form good qualities, and for their prepotency in trans- 

 mitting their characteristics when coupled with ani- 

 mals that represent the average excellence of the 

 breed. Their real merits as breeders made them 

 " popular," or " fashionable," and the high prices that 

 they have commanded have been largely the result of 

 competition among breeders who were seeking the 

 best means of improvement in their flocks and herds. 



It must, however, be admitted that in many in- 

 stances the prices of valuable animals have been en- 



