PREFACE 



With the extension of the hve-stock industry and the 

 development of the sciences fundamental thereto, the 

 necessity is felt for striking at the root of things, of getting 

 well under the surface. This necessity is emphasized par- 

 ticularly in the matter of live-stock judging. The study 

 of feeds and feeding, of the principles of breeding, and of 

 systems of live-stock management have progressed further 

 along scientific lines than has the study of live-stock 

 judging. 



Doubtless there are many buyers and breeders of ani- 

 mals whose judgment is more accurate, even, than that 

 of the trained expert, but there is neither science nor 

 system in their reasoning and they carmot tell why they so 

 decide. In order that others may be trained in ways of 

 live-stock improvement it is important that our knowledge 

 of animal excellence be increased, our powers of observa- 

 tion and perception made more keen, our judgment in 

 making comparisons more logical, and our decisions more 

 accurate. To do this requires a more exhaustive and 

 scientific study of the subject. The best way to under- 

 stand the exterior of animal form is to study the interior. 

 Nowadays we make soil surveys where we formerly con- 

 sidered only area and topography. It seems reasonable 

 that the best judge of a steer's loin should be a connoisseur 

 of porterhouse; to prognosticate most closely the dur- 

 ability of a horse's foot one should know all of the com- 



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