52 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



tries. The largest British breeds were developed in the 

 more level, fertile sections of England, while the smaller, 

 more active breeds came to their own in the hill country or 

 mountains. The farmer of New England should realize that 

 his farm may not be suited to the same kind of live stock as 

 a farm in Iowa. While for good reasons Merino sheep do 

 remarkably well in Ohio, for climatic reasons they would not 

 do so well in the far South. The markets are vitally impor- 

 tant, and should influence one in directing breeding opera- 

 tions. The abundance and kind of food also play their part. 

 Compare the type of hog of the corn belt with the sort most 

 popular in Canada, where wheat, oats and barley prevail. 



Become acquainted with the families or strains of the 

 breed in which you are interested. It is important to know 

 something of these. Those breeds that are represented by 

 a large number of animals, include families of varying degrees 

 of merit. These family traits may be regarded of much 

 importance, and may greatly affect values. Prepotency, 

 special forms of production, adaptability to certain condi- 

 tions, temperament, etc., are features one or more of which 

 are stronger in some families than in others. Old experienced 

 breeders who are I'egarded as successful, consider carefully 

 matters of this sort, and act accordingly. 



Cultivate the acquaintance of breeders. The man who 

 would succeed in his business must gather information from 

 every legitimate source. Knowledge is a matter of accu- 

 mulation. We accumulate through observation and per- 

 sonal contact. We get inspiration from those who succeed. 

 It is a fine thing to enjoy the friendship of men who are 

 leaders in the line of business in which we ourselves are 

 interested. Darwin, one of the greatest scientists, gathered 

 a fund of most valuable information from the English stock- 

 man and farmer, in whose acquaintance lie took great pleas- 

 ure. Thomas Bates, the noted English Shorthorn breeder, 

 received much inspiration from his acquaintance with the 



