CHAPTER XVI 

 SUGGESTIONS TO YOUNG BREEDERS 



A knowledge of the principles of breeding is desirable for 

 breeders generally. This knowledge is important, no matter 

 what kind of stock one wishes to produce, for only by intelli- 

 gent application may one become best qualified as a breeder. 

 Therefore the student should keep in mind that no matter 

 in what kind of stock he is interested these pages are intended 

 to serve as a help in the development of the herd. In this 

 connection, there are certain things that may well be empha- 

 sized in starting out in this work. 



Breed for a special purpose. The successful breeders of 

 the world have always been specialists. The first thing to 

 be considered is the purpose for which the animals are to 

 be produced. One may have in mind meat, milk, speed, or 

 draft, but he should recognize that whether dealing with 

 breed or type, the final aim is some form of production. A 

 multitude of examples illustrating the policies of successful 

 stockmen might be given to show the results secured through 

 breeding for special purpose. 



Stick to a well laid out policy. The breeders who have 

 made the most out of their efforts have been persistent, and 

 have staid by the kind of stock with which they began. The 

 one who endeavors to keep only a class of stock that is selling 

 at high prices, unloading at times of depression of values, 

 rarely succeeds. Every business, including the live-stock 

 business, goes through periods of prosperity and of low values. 

 Take sheep for example. They fluctuate in a wide range of 

 values, and some men dispose of their entire flocks when 



