CHAPTER IV 

 THE BREEDING OF ANIMALS, IN GENERAL 



The breeding of farm animals is perhaps the most interesting 

 problem connected with their propagation and care. While 

 farm animals have been undergoing improvement from the time 

 that we have authentic history, it is only within the last one 

 hundred years or so that very great progress has been made in 

 their improvement. During this period practically all of our 

 breeds, as we now know them, have been formed, and great dif- 

 ferentiation has taken place in the production of the various 

 classes. Only recently have we paid much attention to the 

 milk-producing capacity of our cattle, although cattle have 

 been kept for milk since the beginning of history ; only recently 

 have we selected horses for strength, though they have been used 

 in war and sport for four thousand years ; and the same is true 

 of all the specialized breeds. Formerly, breeders had no system 

 of selection. Their standards constantly changed, so that no 

 real progress in the development of the most valuable qualities 

 could be made. 



Shortly after the middle of the eighteenth century, Robert 

 Bakewell of Dishley Grange, Leicestershire, England, originated 

 a system which he practiced in the improvement of Leicester 

 sheep, Long-horn cattle, and the English cart-horse. His 

 method was taken up and successfully practiced by other men ; 

 and we now have as the result of their labors a variety of im- 

 proved breeds, each differing from the others in the particular 

 characters for which they have been selected and that adapt 



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