RIO IN OF DOMESTICATED CATTLE 13 



chief factors developing distinct breeds. About this time a 

 great interest was aroused in England in regard to improving 

 the quality of the cattle and other domestic animals of Great 

 Britain. This exceedingly important movement, which was 

 largely the result of the work of Robert Blakewell, spread 

 more or less to other cattle-breeding countries. The begin- 

 ning of modern improved breeds is to be traced to this great 

 movement. 



The methods used were careful selection of breeding animals, 

 liberal feeding, and general good management. In most 

 cases, as, for example, in improving the Shorthorns and Ayr- 

 shires, crossing and inbreeding was at first practiced. At the 

 present time the efforts of cattle breeders are directed toward 

 further improvement in the breeds already in existence, and 

 not toward the establishment of new breeds, because it is gen- 

 erally recognized that selection may be made among those al- 

 ready established to suit any conditions under which cattle 

 may be profitably kept. 



Value of Breeds. The breed is only one of many factors 

 to be considered in carrying on profitable milk production. 

 In some cases the value of the breed is overestimated, but 

 more often the reverse is true. Our present dairy breeds 

 represent the efforts toward improvement in certain definite 

 lines made by several generations of breeders. It would be 

 folly for a man to attempt to start at the beginning to build 

 up for himself what it has taken a century or more to build 

 by others. By making use of animals of a highly developed 

 breed adapted to the purpose for which they are to be used, 

 he is taking advantage of all the work that has been done, and 

 is starting in at the highest point of advancement reached by 

 other breeders. 



