The Pure-bred 335 
of recording and publishing such pedigrees. The different 
breeds of live-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 
