HERD BOOK. 183 



The breeder's object being first to produce good 

 animals, and second to secure remuneration from 

 their sale, it is important to have a regular and 

 systematic plan for making his efforts known both to 

 those engaged with the new breed, and others who 

 may be desirous of adopting it. By such a plan, not 

 only will higher prices be realized, but the breed will 

 become more disseminated. 



To effect these several objects, the preservation 

 of a breed in its purity, the maintenance of the 

 excellence already attained, the secureinent of a 

 progressive improvement, the advertising and thus 

 facilitating sales, the guaranteeing of the expected 

 purchasers against fraud to a large extent, all 

 those interested in a common breed unite in the sup- 

 port of what is known as a herd book. 



This is, or should be, a printed volume. It should 

 contain the name, with a number attached, of each 

 animal of the breed imported, from whence imported, 

 by whom bred, for and by whom imported, ship, port 

 of entry, and date of arrival, a description of the 

 animal sufficiently minute for identification, with the 

 age and sex. 



Starting with imported animals as a foundation 

 stock, their descendants alone should be entered, 

 with description of each, date of birth, by whom 

 bred, by whom owned, and names and numbers of 

 sires and dams to importation. 



The value of a herd book, in every case, depends 

 upon its fulness, completeness, and reliability. If it 

 is found easy to enter a grade animal in a book de- 



