PREFACE TO NINTH EDITION 



At most agricultural colleges, the study of beef cattle begins with 

 the fat steer at the market, both on foot and in the carcass, proceeds 

 from that to a study of cattle in the feed-lot, and then considers the 

 selection and operation of the breeding herd. Similar procedures are 

 followed in studying other kinds of live stock. If the student learns 

 his first lesson at the market, he comes to the feed-lot fortified with a 

 knowledge of what the market wants, and he then proceeds to a study 

 of the breeding herd knowing what both the market and the feed-lot 

 demand from the breeder. 



This is the most practical method of teaching because the market 

 should serve as a guide to the breeder and feeder; and it is best from a 

 pedagogical standpoint because finished animals for the market are 

 easiest to judge, are judged on practical points, the student begins his 

 judging with the more elementary and proceeds to the more complex 

 types, and as he progresses to each new stage he brings with him a 

 soundly practical viewpoint gained from his previous experience. 

 Finally, in his study of the commercial breeding herd, the produce of 

 which goes direct to the feed-lot or market, he learns the necessity for 

 using good purebred sires, and this leads in logical order to the study 

 of the breeds of farm animals. He takes up the breed studies with a 

 clear understanding that it is the function of these breeds to supply 

 seed to improve all farm and range live stock, he has a firm belief in 

 their power to perform this function, and he is led to compare and value 

 the various breeds as they should be compared and valued, namely on 

 their ability to meet practical requirements. In short, the modern 

 plan of study, which proceeds from the market to the breeds, rather 

 than from the breeds to the market, gives the student the right 

 philosophy of the live-stock business, particularly the purebred live- 

 stock business. 



In the first edition of this book, published in 1915, the undersigned 

 endeavored to present clearly and concisely the things a beginner in 

 the field of animal husbandry should know, leading up to, but not 

 including, the study of the breeds. In the revised edition published 

 in 1919, and in this, the second revised edition, the objective has been 

 the same as in 1915. A number of new illustrations have been added 

 and much of the text matter has been rewritten, but the original plan 

 has been retained without any radical changes. 



The writer acknowledges his indebtedness to teachers in a number 

 of colleges who upon request suggested many of the changes and addi- 



