128 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



before one in perfect condition, ready for the show ring. It is 

 not so easy a matter, however, to go into the pasture and 

 select the best prospect from a bunch of thin yearlings that 

 have had no special care during the warm, dry summer 

 days. The man who goes to the stock-yards to buy a lot of 

 steers for feeding is at the mercy of the dealers there, unless 

 he has the necessary judgment, not only to know what kind 

 of cattle he wants, but how to sort them out. The ability 

 to select wisely the green, untrained colt or promising 

 heifer has enabled more than one man to find what we 

 sometimes call "a diamond in the rough." 



The greater the number of qualified judges in a com- 

 munity, the better will be the general average of the animals 

 there, and the more valuable from a commercial standpoint. 

 An example of this is seen in England, where good judges of 

 stock are comparatively common. It is interesting to 

 observe, not only that the flocks and herds of that country 

 are much superior to those of any other country, but that 

 the people of the rest of the world for generations have 

 been sending their gold to England to exchange for superior 

 stock. Most of our improved breeds came from Great 

 Britain, and we sent there for them because their merit was 

 seen and appreciated. Suppose the people of Minnesota, 

 for example, were to give special attention to the improve- 

 ment of their live stock, and the study of animal form became 

 popular, what would result? Would there not be a great 

 improvement in the live stock of the state, and would not the 

 wealth of Minnesota be thereby greatly increased? It 

 most certainly would. 



A natural interest in farm animals and a love for them 

 are also good reasons for making a careful study of them. 

 The greater the intelligence with which one can look an 

 animal over, the more pleasure he will find in the occupa- 



