194 Elementary Principles of Agriculture 



The various breeds of poultry, cattle, horses, sheep, etc., 

 descended from a common stock. The differences which 

 we recognize in the breeds are the result of continued 

 selections. 



267. Origin of Breeds. Man long ago recognized 

 differences in the ability of individual animals to con- 

 vert their food into milk, wool, feathers, eggs, etc. 

 Therefore we select animals, not so much for their 

 ability to endure hardships, but for their power to pro- 

 duce something in response to care. Continued selection 

 has produced breeds of animals having certain charac- 

 ters strongly developed. They are called "special-pur- 

 pose breeds." 



Many persons are content to perpetuate animals 

 having merely the form and color markings of the breed 

 or strain. Intelligent breeders, however, while trying 

 to preserve the obvious features in color and bodily form 

 that belong to the breed or strain in which they may be 

 interested, also give close attention to habits and records 

 of performance. Of two animals receiving the same feed 

 and care, one may gain more than another. Or, again, 

 of two animals having the same weight, as dairy cows, 

 one may consume more feed, with a corresponding 

 increase in products. There are many cows that may 

 consume less feed than Loretta D, and still require more 

 feed to produce a pound of milk or butter. 



