48 
The Value of Fediyree. 
knows almost exactly what it will be like, and the calves are as 
alike as it is possible to be. The maintenance of purity of blood 
is of course essential. Once allow in an underbred, bad cross, 
and it will take a very long period to eradicate it. It must be 
left to the breeder’s judgment and his knowledge of his require- 
ments as to the judicious use he should make of the pure-bred 
animal that will be of most service to him. It is highly advan- 
tageous that not only does there exist a very wide choice of 
pure-bred animals, but that there is great accessibility, in a 
pecuniary sense, to them. All pure-bred animals are at present 
comparatively cheap, but farmers should not forget that now and 
again the old saying of “ cheap and nasty ” is exemplified. 
In any case, whether we give 201., 401., or 100^. for a bull ; 
ol., lOZ., or 20Z. for a ram ; ‘SI., 51., or lOZ. for the service of a 
stallion, it is always prudent to first inquire carefully into his 
pedigree, his bringing up, and his antecedents. With the 
exercise of these precautions, I am most strongly of opinion that 
a breeder will never repent using a pure-bred animal, be he a 
horse, a bull, a ram, or a boar. To support my opinion I 
may quote from a little catalogue recently issued : “ Good blood 
with good management is the best surety for reproduction,” and 
“ a good beast is a good beast however it has come, but to 
pedigree alone must we look for succession.” 
To conclude, I may remark that, while each breeder is 
entitled to his own opinion, I still maintain that pure-bred 
animals are what we should endeavour to obtain, provided we 
can get them of robustness and symmetry that come up to our 
standard, and I do not think we shall have much difficulty in 
doing so. Whether in cattle, horses, sheep, or pigs, we are very 
much indebted to the trouble which breeders have taken to get 
— and to keep — their stock good and pure, and I feel that those 
who use pure-bred animals will have a great advantage over 
those who use animals not so pure-bred. I cannot, however, 
too strongly insist upon the necessity of getting our animals 
as robust as possible, for this is a primary condition of successful 
breeding. 
Nigel Kes'gscote- 
