STOCK. Ill 



Magazine" for 1870. The former says: "Pedigree is of the 

 most vital importance. We ought always to prefer a bull of 

 high pedigree, with fair symmetry and quality, to another 

 bull, though much superior in appearance, but of questionable 

 pedigree." "Breeders have not given the subject the attention 

 it deserves. I have paid dearly for my experience in the 

 matter." 



The latter says ; "The surprising influence for good which 

 the male of pure descent, of whatever the breed, exercises 

 on the quality and character of the future offspring now 

 well understood, no effort should be spared to procure purely- 

 bred bulls, and on no consideration should a cross-bred animal 

 be used. The extra price is not worth a thought, as by the 

 time the progeny of the pure-bred bull have reached the age 

 of twelve months, they will have paid, not only the difference 

 between the pure and the cross, but the entire value of their 

 sire, and that without extra feed and attention." 



Farmers are apt to breed in a hap-hazard, careless sort of 

 way, and, if luck favors, now and then get something they call 

 pretty nice. Successful breeding requires the closest study. 

 Darwin writes with much truth : "Not one man in a thousand 

 has accuracy of eye and judgment sufficient to become an 

 eminent breeder. If gifted with these qualities, and he studies 

 the subject for years, and devotes his lifetime to it with in- 

 domitable perseverance, he will succeed and make great im- 

 provements ; and if he wants any of these qualities, he will 

 assuredly fail." 



But you say, if not "thus gifted, shall I give up breeding 

 altogether? No, assuredly not. Strive to learn some of the 

 great principles of l^reediug, learn from the experience of other 

 breeders, take up their results, and go on; and though you 

 may not become eminent, you may do much good and make 

 many improvements in your time and generation. 



As an example of an eminent breeder, the late Thomas 

 Bates stands out prominently. At the sale of Charles Colling's 

 short-horned cattle in 1810, Mr. B. purchased "Young 

 Duchess," for 183 guineas. This, with another cow previously 

 bought, was the foundation of the celebrated Duchess tribe, 

 one of which, "the 8th Duchess of Geneva," at the auction 

 sale at New York Mills last month, sold for the enormoua 



