SELECTIONS IN BREEDING. 23 



the Barbs, tlie Fantails, the Owls, the Tumblers, the Frill-backs, the Jacobins, 

 the Trumpeters, etc., and all their sub-varieties, with differences so stroqgly 

 marked, are descended from one common parent stock ? Yet, that this is true, 

 and that all the varieties from the original type have resulted from changed 

 conditions of life, climatic influences and artificial selection and crossing, is 

 generally admitted by naturalists. 



It is a fact well knowTi among swine breeders that the present 

 breed known as the Poland-China or Magie has been established 

 within the past thirty years mainly by one intelligent and careful 

 breeder wholly by the selection of animals embracing the general 

 qualities of his particular breed that have reference to the peculiar 

 points or characteristics which he sought to impress on his stock. He 

 has at length reached a certain stjde or standard of excellence in tyj^e 

 or quality embracing a large number of points for which this breed 

 are noted and by which they are distinguished from all others. Thus, 

 also, has the breed or family of sheep known as the Oxford Downs 

 become established ; first, from a cross between two distinct breeds, 

 and then successively by careful selections from those embracing the 

 blood of the two respective families. 



The importance of a careful selection of breeding stock can not be over- 

 -estimated. It is the magic wand with which the breeder may change at will 

 the form of his stock, and perpetuate qualities that have proven of excep- 

 tional value. It has been the principal secret of the success of all who have 

 attained to eminence in the business of breeding, and the most potent of all 

 agents in creating improved breeds. 



A careful selection of animals of superior merit is essential to improvement 

 in any breed ; and constant attention to the same process is absolutely neces- 

 sary to prevent deterioration after a breed has been formed. The breeder 

 whose admiration for a particular pedigree or family or breed leads him to 

 use all the animals of his favorite race for breeding purposes, without regard 

 to individual merit, is treading upon dangerous ground ; for, notwithstanding 

 the well-established doctrine that the general characteristics of the race are 

 more likely to be transmitted than individual peculiarities, it must always be 

 borne in mind that these peculiarities eire also transmitted with a greater or less 

 degree of certainty ; and that, as we carefully select the best for the purpose 

 of effecting improvement in a breed, we must, with equal care, reject the 

 poorer specimens to prevent retrogression. That the exceptionally bad quali- 

 ties of an individual are quite as likely to be transmitted as the exceptionally 

 good ones, is as well established as any principle inbreeding; and no man 

 who seeks to improve his stock, or even to maintain the degree of excellence 

 already attained, can afford to ignore the importance of a rigid selection of 

 the best. 



In no department of stock breeding is the influence of heredity and of 

 patient selection with a view to the transmission and improvement of a desired 



