CHAPTEE XIV 



HYGIENE OF BEEEDING* 



That ' like produces like' is the fundamental principle which 

 underlies all breeding, and it is on the intelligent and long- 

 continued application of this principle towards a definite 

 end, that the breeder depends for his results. The science 

 of breeding is a most complex one, and in order to insure 

 success the breeder must direct his careful attention to a 

 variety of points which might at first sight appear to have 

 no immediate bearing on breeding. 



The Breeder. — Before going further we will first consider 

 the personal equation of the breeder himself. A breeder 

 to be successful must be possessed of considerable patience 

 and tenacity of purpose, as he will have to put up with 

 numerous disappointments as time goes on. He must be 

 an enthusiast, with a thorough knowledge and keen love of 

 the class of animal he elects to breed, and should be able 

 to communicate some of his enthusiasm to his men. This 

 last point is of importance, as a good deal of the breeder's 

 success depends on good attendants, a fact which we think 

 is often not sufiieiently recognised at shows and in the 

 distribution of prizes. We think that a certain amount of 



* This chapter is from the pen of Captain Olver, Army Vetermary 

 Department, whose opportunities for studying the question were ob- 

 tained with his father, the noted breeder of Trescowe, Cornwall. The 

 principles of breeding here formulated are those gained by this family 

 during two generations. 



I desire to record my indebtedness to Captain Olver for his valuable 

 assistance. 



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