882 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



ducing variety, or if he intends to raise early lambs, one 

 noted for its early maturity. 



In selecting his type he should follow the natural tendency 

 of his land as far as possible, and must remember that it 

 is not possible to obtain the highest point of perfection m 

 every respect in one animal ; for instance, among cattle, it 

 the beef-producing type is developed to its highest point it 

 is almost certain to be at the expense, more or less, of 

 milking qualities. In the shorthorn breed an attempt has 

 been made to combine the two qualities in one animal, but 

 among them certain families and herds are noted for the 

 beef-producing character and others for the milk-producing. 



This definite laying down of the type to be aimed at is 

 of the utmost importance to successful breeding. The 

 improvement obtained will always be very gradual, and 

 must depend on continuous breeding towards the same end. 

 By this means the desired type will in time become firmly 

 stamped on the stock as a whole, a result which can never 

 be obtained if frequent changes of policy are permitted, or 

 if breeding is carried on in a haphazard way without a 

 definite aim. 



The advantage of firmly fixing a type on the stock is that 

 the breeder can count with tolerable certainty on the 

 constant reproduction of that type, whereas, with less care- 

 fully bred stock, the results will always be more or less a 

 lottery. 



If a distinct variation from the established type arises 

 it should not be bred from, however excellent in other 

 respects, or the liability to variation will be perpetuated, 

 and is a most objectionable characteristic. 



General Principles of Breeding. — We are now in a position 

 to consider the general principles on which all breeding is 

 based. 



The one fundamental principle is that 'Like produces 

 like,' but in its practical application the breeder must make 

 certain reservations which are the result of long experience. 

 The first of these reservations is that although well-bred 

 animals of long and good pedigree can be depended on with 



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