SELECTION OF BREEDING ANIMALS. 251 



standard in individual merit we must next ap- 

 ply the test of breeding and make trial of the 

 pedigree. 



A good pedigree is absolutely essential wher- 

 ever a pure breed is to be bred. We have al- 

 ready examined into the theoretical value of 

 pedigree. We now come to the practical ques- 

 tion of how to apply the law of value. We 

 must here lay down a general principle only. 

 In every breed this question assumes a personal 

 value, and in the jealousies and rivalries which 

 grow out of this personal value the inquiries 

 into excellence of pedigree become burning 

 questions. But here we have nothing to do 

 with fads and fancies ; only with the general 

 rule in its wide and ordinary application. Fan- 

 cies rarely go very deep, though they may seem 

 for a time to be quite strong and active. They 

 are, indeed, like the breezes which ruffle the 

 surface of the sea and make the white caps 

 shine and gleam; that dash the water by the 

 shore on high in sparkling spray, but do not 

 after all greatly disturb the great body of water 

 which sleeps in the depths of ocean, unstirred 

 by the commotion. 



In the first place a good pedigree is one which 

 shows a series of good beasts recorded, one after 

 the other, in the descent of the animal to which 

 it belongs; and this being so it says: " Since 



