4 JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



dents of heredity accept this view. This tendency of do- 

 mestic animals to vary somewhat from the parent type, 

 has long been a subject of special study by. the men in- 

 terested in evolution and improvement. Occasionally some 

 one comes forward with a criticism of accepted standards, 

 with the argument that a certain animal not representative 

 of the approved type, was a producer of large capacity, 

 therefore the type should not be a guide. The importance 

 of such criticism should not be overestimated. An odd 

 case here and there should not weigh heavily against the 

 cumulative experience and observation of the great mass 

 of breeders. Each breed has reached its present status of 

 importance and perfection, through the efforts of certain 

 breeders who have persistently sought to develop a con- 

 formation that in their judgment indicated within reason- 

 able bounds superior producing capacity. No man at all 

 familiar with the Thoroughbred, a very distinctive race 

 horse, would expect to find vital differences in the forms of 

 many individuals of this breed. The variations that did 

 exist would only affect in a minor degree the purpose for 

 which this breed is produced, namely speed. As to 

 whether a Thoroughbred, however, can run a mile in two 

 minutes or three, is dependent on the proportion and ad- 

 justment of minor parts, which may combine to make the 

 most perfect and rapid moving horsepower. Therefore the 

 work of the student, is to study the adjustment of the parts 

 to each other, and ascertain their relationship to the whole, 

 and their combined powers of production. 



Beauty and balance of form may be very generally 

 regarded as associated with the most desirable sex character 

 and capacity to produce. In the opinion of the qualified 

 judge, a breeding male could not be beautiful, with a head 

 showing lack of character and masculinity. While men 

 differ somewhat in their measurements of beauty, whether 

 applied to the fine arts or to living animals, there is no 

 serious disagreement among them as to the main facts. 

 In the public show ring, where competition of a worthy 



