STOCK BREEDIx\G INDUSTRY. 23 



The argument on which this extremely prevalent point of 

 view is based is essentially a fallacious one, because it overlooks 

 certain very pertinent considerations. In the first place while 

 it is true that the best grades are much better than the poorest 

 purebreds in productive qualities, and indeed may in some cases 

 rank with the best, it is also true that' the general average 

 productivity of purebred animals is higher than that of non- 

 purebreds. 



In the second place there can be no comparison between 

 purebred animals and non-purebred animals, considered as 

 groups or on the average, in regard to extent to which they 

 transmit good qualities to their offspring. The purebred animal 

 is, on the average, narrow-bred or line-bred to a much greater 

 extent than the grade or scrub. This means that the likelihood 

 of any particular individual transmitting good qualities which 

 it may possess to its progeny is by so much enhanced. 



In the third place, the breeder of purebred animals is noi; 

 depending, as is the breeder of grades, solely on their produc- 

 tive qualities as a source of income. If he is handling pure- 

 breds the oiTspring are a standard commodity to which a more 

 or less definite rating as to value attaches automatically. If he 

 is breeding scrubs or grades the offspring are apt to be more or 

 less troublesome and unprofitable by-products of his manufac- 

 turing business. The dairyman for example who keeps only 

 grade cows has no market whatever for his bull calves except 

 as meat. When sold for this purpose he is sure to get small 

 returns for them. On the other hand, the dairyman whose herd 

 is made up of purebred animals at once has opened out. before 

 him the possibility of an additional and better market for his 

 l3ull calves. He can sell them for breeding purposes and in 

 this way realize much more than meat prices for them. 



Finally, the breeder of purebred, registered live stock at 

 once identifies himself with a large and powerful organization, 

 namely that of the registered live stock interests of the country. 

 The extent of these interests is indicated in Table XIII which 

 is based upon a table published by Dinsmore." 



"Dinsmore, W. "The registration of pedigrees." Breeders' Gazette. 

 Vol. LXX. p. 88T-882, T016. 



