THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANIMALS 87 



with reference to their disposal should not be reached too 

 soon, as animals of but little promise at birth change quickly 

 for the better in some instances to a remarkable degree. 



In no other way can the standard of the herd be 

 brought up to a high level, than by removing from it those 

 inferior specimens when they appear. The breeders of 

 pure-breds hesitate sometimes to send such specimens to the 

 shambles, since they can ordinarily sell them above meat 

 price, because of the pedigree which they possess. To sell 

 them for such a use, however, is simply to take advantage of 

 the ignorance of the purchaser. 



Development in equilibrium. Equilibrium in develop- 

 ment may be denned as steady, even and robust growth, 

 from birth to maturity, with a view to accomplish in the 

 highest degree the end for which the animal is reared. At 

 no time is it excessive, and on the other hand at no time 

 is it wanting. To accomplish the first calls for the exercise 

 of sound judgment. To prevent the second demands the 

 most constant watchfulness as well as forethought. Ani- 

 mals thus reared will best fulfill the end for which they 

 have been reared, and will longest remain productive under 

 continued good management. 



This does not mean that animals should not be grown 

 for a single and specific purpose, but it does mean that in 

 growing them, the effort to accomplish that purpose shall 

 not be carried so far as to reduce vigor in the animal 

 beyond what is necessary to accomplish that end in the 

 highest degree. It is easily possible to secure form for 

 free and easy action in the running horse so extreme that 

 his staying powers will be reduced. Dairy form in the milk 

 pioducer may become so extreme that stamina is so reduced 

 that it hinders high performance, and the meat making 

 form in the cow may be pushed to the extent of lowering 

 breeding qualities. These results are the outcome of the 

 law of correlation which makes increase in a marked de- 

 gree in one direction to be followed by suppression in an- 

 other. The more extreme the increase, the more marked 



