226 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



igree at first probably for no other reason 

 than because the growth of fraud and error 

 necessitated some accurate method which 

 would give a complete record' and render an 

 accurate reference not only possible but easy. 

 Thus the correction of errors and detection of 

 frauds and forgeries was greatly facilitated. 



But, as so often happens with human inven- 

 tions, the plan which was devised for one pur- 

 pose produced a totally opposite result. The 

 names of the cows once written in, the appear- 

 ance of the pedigree left the impression on the 

 eye that the cow was the superior element. 

 This was greatly increased in America by 

 the requirement that all animals bred in this 

 country must trace to an imported cow. Thus 

 the cow, and not the bull, gives the family 

 name, and not only gives the name but con- 

 trols the value of the family as well. 



The accepted method of recording cattle 

 pedigrees is nearly always misleading, and 

 beginners cannot too early learn that if they 

 wish to gain anything even remotely approach- 

 ing a thorough knowledge of pedigrees and a 

 facility in estimating their contents they must 

 resort to the extended form. At the same time 

 the abbreviated form is convenient and handy, 

 and when once clearly comprehended is calcu- 

 lated to give a sufficient and immediate insight 

 into the breeding of any animal. But to those 



