PEDIGREE. 347 



"With the true spirit of a successful breeder, who 

 had spent many years of systematic effort in establish- 

 ing a flock that excelled in its useful qualities, Mr. 

 Hammond placed a higher value upon the improve- 

 ments he expected to obtain in his entire flock by the 

 use of this ram than he did upon the money he could 

 have been sold for. 



The breeder who can be tempted by high prices 

 to part with his best animals cannot reasonably expect 

 to succeed in establishing a flock or herd of remark- 

 able excellence. 



Peculiarities of color or form, that do not repre- 

 sent any valuable qualities, may be properly called 

 " fancy points ; " and the money paid for them by the 

 purchaser may be considered a " fancy price," whether 

 the amount is small or large. 



The solid color and black points of the Jerseys, 

 and the red and dark roan of the Short-Horns, that 

 are so fashionable at the present time in America, are 

 good illustrations of mere " fancy points," that should 

 not be taken into consideration in forming a consistent 

 standard of excellence. 



The prevailing fashion for particular colors, with- 

 out reference to the qualities connected with them, 

 must not only tend to retard the improvement of these 

 breeds, but to diminish their value for practical pur- 

 poses by encouraging the selection of breeding-stock 

 in accordance with a false standard of excellence. 



The wrinkles on merino sheep furnish another il- 

 lustration of fancy points that are not only useless in 

 themselves, but decidedly injurious, from the blend- 

 ing of different styles of wool in the fleece that 



