126 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



lationship of form to purpose. The qualified judge ob- 

 tains his knowledge in two ways: first, by environment 

 or his home surroundings; and second, by education. The 

 average English farmer is a great lover of animals, and is 

 usually a good judge of a beast, and his children inherit the 

 same characteristics. It is second nature for him to meas- 

 ure up in a logical way the weak and strong points in an 

 animal and judge their values. Yet one may become a cap- 

 able, efficient judge by combination of a natural admiration 

 for animals, with systematic training in judging conformation. 



Fig. 67. Giraffes in the New York Zoological Park. Notice one in the door- 

 way. Photograph by the author. 



The judge at all times should be able to compare the animal 

 before him with what he knows to be the ideal or perfect 

 one. The ability to compare differs in degree. Beginners 

 are not supposed to be as proficient as experienced men, 

 yet time and experience add to one's qualifications. Even 

 if one lacks to some extent the desirable qualities to be 

 found in a successful judge, he yet may be qualified to pass 



