126 INTENSIVE FARMING 



have become almost constant. The general con- 

 formation of the animal; the ability to lay on 

 fat at an early age; to produce a large quantity 

 of butter fat are all marked characters of cer- 

 tain breeds and strains. In sheep certain breeds 

 have been developed for mutton, others for 

 wool of various grades, and still others for large 

 increase as in the case of the Horned Dorset, 

 which nearly always produces twins and fre- 

 quently breeds twice a year. 



While it is possible to develop highly special- 

 ized breeds, it is not possible to unite in a single 

 breed the highest development of opposing at- 

 tributes. To illustrate, beef production and 

 milk production are opposite attributes. The 

 breeds or strains highly developed for milk or 

 butter production are not the best for beef pro- 

 duction and vice versa. The draught and race 

 horses represent highly developed breeds with 

 contrasting characters. From what has been 

 stated an idea of the intricate character of the 

 problems of animal-breeding can be formed. 

 The evolution of breeds of animals like the de- 

 velopment of nations has its history. To suc- 

 ceed in the work one must be familiar with this 

 history, know the royal strains of blood, and 

 be able to recognize the marks of superiority in 

 the young animal. 



