22 THE LIVE STOCK INDUSTRY 



is not difficult to perceive the wonderful possibilities of close 

 judging and selection of animal form. The average value of 

 horses per head in 1910 was $105.06, 1 and while this includes 

 young stock, it would be possible to increase their value 50 

 per cent, by more careful judging, selection, and ultimate 

 management. Other classes of animals are equally suscep- 

 tible to the same amount of improvement under like 

 conditions. 



It is recognized that it is impossible to ascribe all of the 

 possible improvement in weight, form, and quality or other 

 attributes to keen judging and selection, yet breeders and 

 students of animal form readily recognize its importance. 

 The foundation for profit in live stock farming is substantially 

 based on the type of animal selected for breeding, work, 

 or for direct meat productive purposes. Ill-bred animals, 

 which means careless selection largely, are attributed as 

 being generally unprofitable, either for breeding or feeding 

 purposes. Close scrutinized judgment in selection could 

 not remove all the faults of animal form at once but its 

 continuance would be clearly apparent for a substantial 

 period of years. Proper application of the principles of 

 judging and selection would not only remedy many destroy- 

 ing influences in live stock production, but it would increase 

 or improve almost without apparent cost the world's total 

 supply of meat, milk and wool, and form, quality, and effi- 

 ciency in work and pleasure animals. 



Faculties and Requirements in Judging. There are two 

 special faculties necessary to select or judge accurately a 

 class of live stock. These are, first, a proper knowledge of 

 what constitutes the utility points which are judged, either 

 from a breeding standpoint, or from that of market and 

 show requirements; and second, a quick and keen observance 

 of both the major and minor faults in animal form. Craig 

 states that "When a distinct ideal based on the best types 

 and their highest qualities has been formed in the mind, and 

 this is supported by a discriminating eye, it is but another 

 step to render a correct judgment." 



1 United States Census, 1910. 



