To say. that a plane is a better tool than a chisel is true only in so far 
as one states what the particular purpose is that it is used. Only an idiot 
would attempt to trim out the pocket for a door latch with a plane or to 
put a smooth surface on a table with a chisel. A chisel may be used in the 
latter case as our ancestors used them for that purpose before planes were 
known but we do not use them for that purpose today. 
To say that any one method of breeding is better than another is also 
foolish unless we specify the conditions under which it is better. Outbreed- 
ing and crossbreeding are extremely useful in many places but to recom- 
mend either one as the only method is the heighth of foolishness. Inbreed- 
ing and linebreeding have their uses but to recommend them as a general 
practice to the breeder is as foolish as recommending dynamite to the 
average farmer. In the hands of the person who knows what dynamite 
is, what it will and will not do, it may be put to many uses which are a 
benefit to himself and to mankind but in the hands of the uninformed it 
can cause very disastrous results. The same is true of inbreeding. 
The laws of Mendel may be put to many useful purposes, particularly 
in color breeding by the person who understands their working but unless 
he does know them and more important still knows the animals he is 
working with or is prepared to study them for some little time he had best 
not attempt to use them. 
What this means then is that if breeders would know what is the best 
means of attaining certain desired results they must be prepared to study 
their animals and further take steps to inform themselves as to the tools or 
methods which are available to them in their work. This information is 
available in many. sources. Many books have been written on the subject 
of Genetics, some more readable than others. At many colleges, particular- 
ly state colleges and universities advice may be had for the asking on many 
breeding problems and breeders will do well to take advantage of these 
opportunities, wherever possible. 
