52 THE dairyman's manual. 



and by a careful course of selection tliis natural procliv- 

 ity may be encouraged, developed, and strengthened, 

 until the breed, as it is then called, has this power in an 

 eminent degree, and the progeny partakes very closely of 

 the cliaracter of the parents. This is the point to be 

 aimed at by dairymen, who should first learn by careful 

 tests which are their best cows ; then feed them liberally 

 to develop their qualities to the fullest extent; breed 

 them to males of known hereditary excellence ; and pur- 

 sue the same plan Avith their progeny. The male should 

 be selected from some pure breed, not at haphazard, but 

 after careful investigation of its antecedents, and espe- 

 cially of its parentage. Milking quality is the only point 

 to be considered, for this alone brings the profit desired. 

 A dairyman should look to his special business for 

 his profit, and never be induced to compete with pro- 

 fessional breeders in the rearing of stock for sale. 

 Hundreds of dairymen have been misled into disastrous 

 losses, during the progress of what might be called the 

 Jersey speculation of the last seven or eight j^ears, by 

 purchasing at high prices animals belonging to certain 

 families which were popular at the time, but whose 

 popularity was soon eclipsed by new favorites. Specu- 

 lation of this kind cannot fail to bring losses upon a 

 dairyman who gives it precedence over his legitimate 

 business. 



It matters not what breed is chosen. If it is the Short- 

 horn, or the Holstein-Friesian, for the production of 

 milk or for cheese, or the Jersey, Guernsey or Ayrshire 

 for butter, as good a bull as can be afforded should be 

 secured. As a rule a calf should be purchased, and this 

 may be safely done if the pedigree is right, and the milk- 

 ing quality of his dam and both granddams has been 

 found satisfactory. It is more profitable to pay a large 

 price for a good animal than a small price for a poor one. 

 The bull is half the herd as regards the calves, and more 



