PEDIGREES AND THEIR VALUE 245 



If one studies the pedigree of a race horse, he shbuld find 

 therein the names of many animals with speed records to 

 their credit. In the case of a dairy breed of cattle, then milk 

 or butter-fat records may be given, as well as the records 

 of offspring of sires and dams. With some breeds, a state- 

 ment is affixed showing prizes won in the show ring. In 

 cases of animals selling at high prices, these facts are also 

 sometimes inserted in the pedigree. The important thing 

 is to show at different points in the ancestry the richness of 

 the pedigree in production. At the present day, one should 

 have no difficulty in securing the pedigrees of pure-bred 

 animals that will give more or less specific information 

 regarding performance on the part of individuals in the 

 pedigree. The richer the ancestry in record-making 

 achievement, the higher the price one must usually pay 

 for the animal purchased. 



A pedigree score card suggesting the relative importance 

 of near and remote ancestors has been proposed by Prof. 

 F. R. Marshall.* In this score card, 24 points are given the 

 sire (12 for siring good stock, and 12 for individual merit), 

 and 24 points are given the dam (10 for her record as a pro- 

 ducer, and 14 for individual merit), with 4 points on similarity 

 of type of sire and dam. The grandparents are given a total 

 of 24 points, ranging from four to two points each for records 

 as producers, and individual merit. The great-grandparents 

 are accorded one point each on production, individuality, 

 and ancestry. This is an interesting score card, that may 

 come into considerable use. 



The accuracy of the pedigree is of first importance. It 

 may not be accurate for two reasons; first, because of 

 errors in writing it, due to carelessness or otherwise; 

 and second, from dishonesty. Mistakes will occur among the 



^Breeding Farm Animals, 1911, page 110. 



