FOREWORD vii 



At. the present time departments of animal husbandry are 

 failures of all American agricultural colleges, and system- 

 atic courses in judging farm animals are given, in which 

 laboratory practice is an important feature. Not only 

 this, but thousands of young men have already received 

 instruction in this subject in our colleges, many of whom 

 are now actively engaged in farming, where animal hus- 

 bandry is a factor, requiring a knowledge of form and 

 function. 



In the preparation of this volume, the author has had in 

 view a purpose, rather distinctive in itself, of discussing, 

 , systematically and with reasonable completeness, each great 

 class of animals as a separate part of an important whole. 

 In each class, the study of the individual, as based on the 

 scale of points, is followed by the comparative and group 

 method of judging, so that the man who lacks the college 

 opportunity, may find a text that will furnish under sepa- 

 rate heads, a systematic and comprehensive discussion of 

 the entire subject. If one is interested in but one class of 

 stock, as for example swine, the subject will be found so 

 arranged and discussed as to meet his special needs. Inas- 

 much as the arrangement of the text is consistent with the 

 method of presentation now most in use in educational in- 

 stitutions, this book should serve the purpose of the student 

 as well as the stockman afield. 



The author has had occasion to quote from many au- 

 thorities, for which credit is given in the appropriate place. 

 It is hoped that the illustrations, largely from photographs 

 by the author, may add to the usefulness and efficiency of 

 the text. 



CHARLES S. PLUMB. 



Columbus, Ohio. 



