1 14 Breeding Plants and Animals. 



comprehensive way that their importance demands. At 

 between beefy types and types stronger in milk within 

 the same breed, and many breeders are offering two 

 families of the same breed, one with more beef and 

 the other with more dairy quality. They sell the pret- 

 tier beefy types the most readily, but they say con- 

 fidently that those having more dairy quality' are the 

 more profitable individual cows for the farmer. They 

 have not more than entered upon comprehensively and 

 thoroughly breeding the two types in these breeds. 

 The small ring representing this important class at 

 the International shows in 1902 and 1903 illustrates the 

 fact that breeding the "farmer's cow," or the "gen- 

 eral" or "dual-purpose cow/' is in a backward state. 

 This backwardness arises largely from the difficulties 

 encountered, But the tabulated figures presented by 

 at least one of the breeders exhibiting a cow in 1902 

 shows that the entering wedge is in place. 



The still larger class at the St. Louis Exposition 

 in 1904 shows that interest is rising in cattle which 

 combine beef and dairy production. 



Statistical methods have been invoked to show the 

 value of these meaty types which can make money 

 both at the .pail and in the feed-yard. Records of an- 

 nual yields and of net values in dairy cattle are the 

 powerful levers which \vill hold special dairy cattle 

 in public favor. The more comfortable work of beef 

 production will hold up the special beef classes. Dual- 

 purpose animals to gain a large field must make the 

 farm pay with less milking than is required in dairy 

 cattle, and produce nearly as good steers as do the beef 

 types, and both of these classes of facts must find a 

 prominent place in our dual-purpose performance pedi- 

 gree records. 



So long as there are superior individual grade and 

 pure-bred cows which will give a large annual dairy 

 prpdnct, using only a moderate supply of food, and 

 will produce superior steers, there will remain in the 



