CHAPTER II. 



THE SCORE CARD AND ITS USE. 



The scale of points is a systematic, logical, brief descrip- 

 tion of an ideal animal of a breed or type, in which the 

 several parts described are given numerical values. A 

 standard of excellence is another expression sometimes used 

 to designate scale of points; although there are standards 

 in which no points are made use of ; they are in fact simply 

 very brief official descriptions of certain breeds, in which 

 no measurements of values are given. Some of the British 

 breed associations use the standard of excellence, rather 

 than a scale of points. 



The score card is a card on which values are registered 

 to the credit of an animal njeasured by the standard of a 

 scale of points. This scale is the one vital factor of the 

 score card. Therefore, when we speak of score card, we 

 always associate with it a definite scale of excellence rep- 

 resenting perfection, which is used for comparison with the 

 animal judged. 



The earliest use of the scale of points was probably ap- 

 plied to Jersey cattle. In 1833 an agricultural and horti- 

 cultural society was organized on the Island of Jersey, one 

 of the Channel Islands off the coast of France. One of the 

 purposes of this organization was to improve the native 

 breed of cattle on Jersey. In discussions regarding methods 

 of improvement, the suggestion was made that it would 

 be highly desirable if some standard of excellence or 

 scale of points could be devised, that would serve as a 

 guide for the breeders on the island. Accordingly a com- 

 mittee was appointed to draw up a standard. The method 

 used was original and unique. It is said that the best two 

 bulls and the best two cows on the island were selected 

 to be used as models. One of each sex was regarded as 



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