SUGGESTIONS ON SELECTION 81 



factors which constitute the desirable breeding animal. Aside 

 from their external characteristics their productiveness, uni- 

 formity of breeding, and the persistence with which these 

 qualities are maintained may be studied. 



One of the best examples of this is in the dairy cow where 

 it is not only a question of studying the animal and her 

 ancestors from the standpoint of type, but also the yearly 

 milk and butter records of the individual, her ancestry, 

 and even her progeny. This serves as a useful guide in 

 selecting the progeny from animals in established herds. 

 It is of special value to the prospective purchaser to study 

 the type of the animal along with the ancestral, breeding 

 and producing records. This serves as a double guarantee 

 of the usefulness of the younger, untried breeding animals 

 selected. In beef breeds, it is impossible to have access to 

 the present records of the animal because productiveness 

 and profit from beef animals are measured by the value 

 of the animals resulting at maturity. The immediate 

 ancestral individualities and their performance records may 

 be studied, however, in a similar manner to the other con- 

 siderations mentioned. 



Healthfulness. In passing judgment on stock in the show 

 ring or elsewhere, it is not always possible to determine the 

 condition of the animal from the standpoint of general 

 healthfulness. Unless there are unmistakable indications 

 of unhealthfulness or lack of vigor, the judge or purchaser 

 does not give such matters consideration, his work covering 

 the rating of the animals according to their present intrinsic 

 value. In selecting live stock for breeding or feeding pur- 

 poses, this is a matter of vital consideration and more 

 especially of animals selected for the former purpose. 



Breeding animals which are expected to reproduce for a 

 period of years should be naturally healthy and vigorous. 

 This has become of even greater importance, since animals 

 are housed under more artificial conditions than formerly, and 

 are therefore more likely to contract contagious or infectious 

 diseases. 



In selecting stock for breeding purposes, the condition of 

 the individuals may be used as a guide in most cases, although 

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