The Pure-bred 335 



of recording and publishing such pedigrees. The different 

 breeds of Hve-stock which now have associations organized 

 for the recording, of pedigrees have all developed in a 

 more or less similar manner. Breeders find that a cer- 

 tain strain of animals fits their needs better than any 

 other, and continue to use that strain, constantly selecting 

 the best. After a course of years this strain becomes 

 distinctly different from other animals of the same species. 

 Not only are these animals themselves different, but they 

 transmit these differences to their offspring. The men 

 handling these animals finally realize that they have 

 something different and perhaps of real value, and so 

 begin to think of perpetuating it, thereby forming a new 

 breed. A breed, according to the generally accepted 

 definition, is a race of animals having a common ancestry 

 and possessing common traits that are transmitted by 

 heredity. As interest in the new stock grows, a permanent 

 record is kept of the best animals and their offspring. 

 Sometimes this is handled by private parties, but usually 

 a small association is started for the purpose. The 

 animals first recorded are called "foundation" stock. 

 They are not admitted according to rule, but on the 

 judgment of the association. All the offspring of such 

 foundation stock are eligible to record on the books of 

 the association. It is also customary in the beginning 

 to accept animals for record which are largely but not 

 entirely of the blood of these foundation animals. Foun- 

 dation stock may be taken into the records of the associa- 

 tion for some time, but usually for only a few years, 

 when the books are closed, and no more foundation 

 stock is admitted. After this time animals are often 

 registered if they have a certain number of top crosses. 

 Some of the horse associations still register animals with 



