282 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



upon a herd of neat-boned, undersized cows will 

 in more cases make ragged calves than good 

 calves of an average size. Rapid transitions 

 are not to be desired, nor can rapid and intense- 

 ly radical changes" be made except at serious 

 risk. Where a herd has become undersized for 

 any reason three or four generations are few 

 enough for the work of increasing the size, and 

 a medium-sized bull of a closely similar general 

 type with the cows should be chosen for the 

 first cross. Thus we find as a general rule we 

 should choose not merely a fine bull but one 

 whose type of excellence is closely akin to the 

 cattle on which he is to be used. Not only so, 

 but he should in addition be chosen with a view 

 to improving the cows in some definite particu- 

 lar. I am always for progress. When we give 

 up seeking to advance we are sure to begin 

 a retrograde movement. In choosing a bull, 

 therefore, we should first study our cows and 

 analyze their defects and see where they are 

 most deficient and where most easily improved, 

 and then seek a sire calculated to raise up from 

 them descendants far surpassing their dams. 

 This is no visionary theory. None of us need 

 fear lest his analysis will not bring to light, if 

 honestly done, many faults and many flaws which 

 the right kind of a bull would do much to im- 

 prove. It is true that it is not always possible 

 to find just the bull we want for the work, yet 



