CHAPTER XVII. 



BREEDING DUAL-PURPOSE CATTLE. 



To define more definitely the problem under dis- 

 cussion, cattle may be divided into five classes : i . 

 Specialized dairy types. 2. Dairy types into which 

 there has been engrafted or left some tendency to beef 

 quality. 3. Dual-purpose cattle in which the stress 

 is laid* equally on dairy and on beef qualities. 4. Beet 

 types into which have been engrafted, or left, some ten- 

 dency to dairy quality. 5. Specialized beef types. 



Few will argue for the second class. No one has 

 the hardihood to advertise beefy Jerseys. Years ago 

 Holstein breeders catered; to beef, but the breed has 

 since been vastly improved. The beefy ones were 

 usually such poor milkers and were so tabooed by 

 butchers. 



In part without warrant except to get an advantage 

 in the price paid, that they became very unpopular and 

 only the best performers at the pail have been retained 

 and now these latter dominate the blood of the breed 

 in America. Sometimes great adversity which wipes 

 out all but the best causes a radical improvement in 

 the breed and here the dairy type has been much im- 

 proved. It should be explained that the word "type" 

 is not used in these articles in its narrow sense to mean 

 mere form and outward appearance, but in its broad 

 sense, including not only form but ability to perform, 

 to live long, to multiply and to yield net profits per 

 herd. Adversity developes character in breeds as in 

 men. A "fashion frost" removed all the roan beef 

 Short-horns but the best, and now they average better 

 than the popular reds. 



If fashion now turns to roans, the reds will be 

 benefited by the retention of only the best. The kind 



