INDIVIDUAL MERIT 63 



possessing quality shows extreme individuality, clear-cut 

 outlines, fine-textured skin, hair and bone, and a general 

 harmonious blending and symmetry of all parts. 



Individuality. — Individuality is a quality or state peculiar or 

 distinctive to an individual. In live stock judging it is used 

 in a narrower sense than character, which is a supreme breed 

 mark in the best pure-bred animals. Character is thus 

 used in signifying the degree of conformity to the breed 

 which it represents. Individuality conveys the idea of clear- 

 cut contour which distinguishes an animal, not only from 

 other types but from other animals of the same general type. 

 The critical live stock judge will quickly select the animal 

 in a class possessing the greatest individuality because of its 

 distinctive or clear-cut lines. This may be done regardless 

 of whether an animal represents any particular breed. 



A clear understanding of individuality in its minutest 

 sense is really the basis of accurate live stock judging. 

 A student who can master and balance the characteristic 

 differences among individuals promptly will usually make a 

 successful live stock critic. It is these minor variations in 

 detecting individuality which bring out the contrast between 

 the average and the keen judge who never allows a single 

 point in an animal to pass unnoticed. The most successful 

 judges are those who have made such a study of animal 

 form that they can determine the gross form and its value 

 by merely observing a single part, such as the head or any 

 other region of the body. It is individuality or distinc- 

 tiveness in outline and features which enables them to 

 do so. 



Constitution. — The term constitution is significant of 

 ruggedness, vitality or robustness of form, duration or 

 persistency in performance, and longevity. In breeding 

 animals constitution ranks as an especially important 

 attribute, as the use of strong, vigorous animals is necessary 

 to fix this and other desirable characteristics in the offspring. 

 If the constitution of the breeding animal is weak the same 

 condition will likely be transmitted to future generations. 

 It is not so important to emphasize this point in market 

 animals because of their shorter period of usefulness. It 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



