vi FOREWORD 



Inasmuch as this volume will be largely used by students and 

 young stockmen, who are essentially beginners in the study and 

 breeding of farm animals, the author wishes to emphasize the 

 importance of the breeder being a person of integrity, with a 

 character above reproach. It is most unfortunate that the hand 

 of suspicion has pointed at some breeders as engaged in practices 

 that reflect upon their reliability. Errors of record due to care- 

 lessness may happen, and be excused, but premeditated crooked- 

 ness in breeding, testing, or selling pure-bred live stock cannot 

 be justified and should be severely punished. Our breeds must 

 be established and maintained with honesty of purpose a first 

 requirement. Whoever attempts to establish a herd under any 

 other conditions is sure to degrade rather than elevate the 

 breeder's art, to injure the innocent, to carry a tainted name, 

 and to have a disastrous career. Public sentiment should place 

 a premium on a good name as worth more than great riches and 

 attach the stain of disgrace and a just punishment on the man 

 guilty of intentional deceit. 



One of the most hopeful signs on the horizon of American 

 live-stock husbandry is the present interest in community and 

 cooperative breeding and the establishment of thousands of boys' 

 and girls' live-stock clubs. For this reason the future prospects 

 of improved live-stock husbandry are most encouraging. Both 

 types and breeds are receiving greatly increased attention, and 

 many more are seriously interested in constructive breeding than 

 ever before. It is the profound desire of the author that this 

 work shall contribute to this end. 



CHARLES S. PLUMB 

 OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, 

 COLUMBUS, OHIO 



