234 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



high-class breeding stock is greatly valued. In fact, we have 

 no way of accurately measuring the value of a great, pre- 

 potent sire. It is understood by those familiar with many 

 British flocks and herds that the best breeding animals cannot 

 be purchased; they are not for sale. It is an old story that 

 Edwin Hammond refused an enormous sum for the famous 

 Merino ram Gold Drop, his reason being that he could not af- 

 ford to sell his best ram at any price. Brown states that on one 



Fig. 144. These cows were the result of selection for butter-fat production. 

 Photograph by the author. 



occasion a wealthy Tasmanian sheep breeder offered one of 

 the most skillful island stud owners $500 each for the pick of 

 a score of ewes from his stud, and the offer was refused. 

 These animals transmitted most valuable qualities to future 

 generations, in no uncertain manner, the perpetuation of 

 which qualities was of vital importance to the owner. At the 

 present time great interest is shown in dairy cattle, and the 

 marked improvement in producing capacity in many herds 

 is evident through the use of sires that come from dams and 



