252 BEGINNINGS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 



Become acquainted with the families or strains of the 

 breed in which you are interested. It is important to know 

 something of these. Those breeds that are represented by 

 a large number of animals, include families of varying degrees 

 of merit. These family traits may be regarded of much 

 importance, and may greatly affect values. Prepotency, 

 special forms of production, adaptability to certain condi- 

 tions, temperament, etc., are features one or more of which 

 are stronger in some families than in others. Old experienced 

 breeders who are regarded as successful, consider carefully 

 matters of this sort, and act accordingly. 



Cultivate the acquaintance of breeders. The man who 

 would succeed in his business must gather information from 

 every legitimate source. Knowledge is a matter of accu- 

 mulation. We accumulate through observation and per- 

 sonal contact. We get inspiration from those who succeed. 

 It is a fine thing to enjoy the friendship of men who are 

 leaders in the line of business in which we ourselves are 

 interested. Darwin, one of the greatest scientists, gathered 

 a fund of most valuable information from the English stock- 

 man and farmer, in whose acquaintance he took great 

 pleasure. Thomas Bates, the noted English Shorthorn 

 breeder, received much inspiration from his acquaintance 

 with the Colling Brothers, men who were doing much for 

 these cattle while Bates was yet young. Furthermore, 

 co-operate with your brother breeders in a generous way 

 for the promotion and uplift of live-stock interests, whereby 

 all will be benefited. 



A private herd record should be kept by every stockman 

 owning a breeding herd. Such a record should contain a list 

 of the animals in the herd, giving their correct names and 

 registry numbers, dates of birth, names of sires and dams, 

 and of the men who bred them. A record should also be 



