HEREDITY; ITS MEANING AND INFLUENCE 



223 



horn cattle, the pedigrees of which can be traced back for a 

 hundred years, represents a comparatively well-established 

 type and character. In a herd of these cattle we should 

 expect to find the typical horn and head, the general body 

 form, and the red, white, or roan color so universally known. 

 We have examples, however, of old breeds that have not 



Fig. 140. The Holstein-Friesian cow Prilly 40082 at 13 years old, on the 

 left, and her three daughters, Beauty Pietertje, Cleopatra Gelsches, and Eliza 

 Pietertje, all great producers. Photograph by courtesy of H. A. Moyer, owner 

 of the cows. 



been developed by master breeders, and consequently a lack 

 of individual excellence among a great number of the ani- 

 mals is found. 



The importance of heredity in stock breeding has long 

 been recognized. The men who have been most noted in the 

 development of each of the great breeds have agreed that the 

 saying, " like produces like," contains much truth. In fact, in 

 breeding operations they have placed a premium on pre- 

 potency and uniformity of character. Bates, the great Short- 

 horn breeder, was a stickler for type and character. The 

 same may be said of any other man who has been really 



