184 HERD BOOK. 



signed only for the imported stock, and the progeny 

 of imported stock, it is far from impossible that some 

 persons will take this cheap course of fraud, herald 

 their grade animals as pure, and obtain for them a 

 place in this choice company. The need, then, is 

 manifest of adopting some rigid conditions, conform- 

 able to certain principles of utility, and the abiding 

 by them persistently. For not only does the fraud 

 of entering grade animals produce a lowering of the 

 quality of the breed, but by producing an abundance 

 of low-cost stock, prevents the more careful and 

 exemplary breeder from selling a stock, costing 

 higher and of more value, at remunerative prices. A 

 herd book which will allow of this, acts to discourage 

 the honorable breeder, and tends to drive him from 

 the field in despair. 



The incorrectness of a herd book, known at first 

 perhaps only to a few persons, imposes obstacles for 

 a while upon the many ; but afterwards, by becoming 

 known to many, induces a want of confidence in 

 pedigrees, faith in which is so conducive to success 

 in breeding stock to a high degree of excellence. 



It is a cause for regret that the earlier importers 

 of Ayrshire cattle did not foresee the advantages 

 that were to be derived from a herd book, and the 

 disadvantages that would attend its absence. When 

 the attempt was made at the late date of 1863, there 

 were herds of cattle in the country, thought by their 

 owners to be too valuable to be excluded from such 

 a work, cattle undoubtedly Ayrshire, but of ances- 

 try so ill-defined and uncertain, that their admission 



