174 FIRST PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. 



while tliey differ somewhat in regard to form, the object 

 is the same : viz., to put in permanent form a true record 

 of the lineage, character, and performance of the indi- 

 vidual. 



Value of Pure Breeds. — Pure breeds, as already- 

 stated, are the result of attempts to secure the best animal 

 for some specific purpose ; and they can be relied on not 

 only to accomplish that purpose better than any other, but 

 also to produce young that possess the same qualities. For 

 example, a specific milk or beef breed of cattle, or wool or 

 mutton breed of sheep, will produce either milk or beef, 

 wool or mutton, better than milk and beef, and wool and 

 mutton. Whereas, in the common or native stock — a 

 mixture of many breeds — a uniformity in production can- 

 not be depended upon, as the type and character are not 

 fixed, though individuals may possess superior qualities. 



The pure breeds, too, because of their fixity of charac- 

 ter and prepotent power, are extremely valuable in improv- 

 ing native stock. The offspring of a pure-bred sire and 

 a native dam will possess in greater degree the character 

 of the pure-bred sire than that of the mixed-bred dam. 

 A pure-bred sire is, in such cases, more than one-half of 

 the herd or flock. 



Breeding as a Business. — To be a successful breeder 

 of live stock requires large capital, broad knowledge and 

 experience, great patience, and a close attention to the 

 details of the work. As a rule, breeding is more success- 

 ful when conducted as a distinct branch of farming than 

 when added to the work of the general farmer. A 

 farmer may, however, greatly improve his stock by care- 

 ful attention to the principles which govern in breeding, 



