SELECTION. 397 



high degree the properties which it is our object to 

 obtain." l 



The importance of pedigree in the study of ances- 

 tral characters need only be noticed in this connection, 

 as it has been discussed in the preceding chapters. 



In order to avoid any undesirable atavic tendency, 

 Sir John Sebright recommends as an additional pre- 

 caution to " try the young males with a few females, 

 the quality of whose produce has been already ascer- 

 tained ; by this means we shall know the sort of stock 

 they get, and the description of females to which they 

 are best adapted." 2 



As the male, from the number of his progeny, has 

 a preponderating influence in determining the charac- 

 teristics of the flock or herd, the greatest care should 

 be exercised in his selection. 



He should be more highly bred than the females 

 with which he is coupled, to insure prepotency in the 

 transmission of his qualities, and his merits as an indi- 

 vidual should add to the reputation of the long line 

 of ancestry from which he is descended. 



Breeders of pure-bred stock are aware of the im- 

 portance of securing males of extraordinary excellence 

 in every respect, and high prices are accordingly paid 

 for the best representatives of favorite families. 



Those who use males of their own breeding select 



1 "Art of Breeding," p. 7. 



2 Loc. cit., p. 7. (See also Sinclair's " Code of Agriculture," p. 98.) 

 According to Arthur Young, it was the practice of the late Duke of 



Bedford to place " every ram with the lambs got by him the preceding 

 year, in distinct pens, that he might not only examine the ram himself, 

 but also his progeny, before he determined what ewes to draw off for 

 him" ("Farmer's Calendar," p. 668). 



