10 REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE 
gent selection and greater care far more than outweigh the advan- 
tage even of an improved breed. Indeed one might easily make it 
appear established from actual facts that selection was of even 
ereater value than breed, since it is now freely admitted that the 
Short Horns haye in late years largely lost their value for the 
purposes of the dairy through a neglect to develop and perpetuate 
the valuable milking qualities of this famous breed of cattle; 
while several other breeds, the ancestors of which probably a 
century ago, gave as great promise as did any of the progenitors 
of many of the most notable dairy breeds of to-day, have 
by disregard of these valuable milking qualities, come to 
be, through years of selection directed to the production of beef, 
absolutely worthless to the dairy. It is probably safe to say. 
that an intelligent dairyman and breeder could to-day select a 
herd of twenty cows at random from most of our dairies and by 
selection alone of those of their offspring best fitted for the 
production of milk, easily double the average product of such : 
offspring within twenty-five years, and probably in even less time. » 
Certainly, when we consider with what care those breeders of the ~ 
choicest breeds, attend to this matter of selection, we may be 
confident that they at least do not wholly rely upon breed alone. — 
Scarcely secondary in importance to selection is the subject — 
of intelligent feeding, and it is hoped that an examination of the 
data submitted in this report will lead to a more rational, liberal 
and economical method of feeding than that too often practiced. 
Our dairymen should understand that simply a maintenance 
ration for their animals, while sometimes it may be necessary, can — 
never be a source of profit, and that it is only from the judicious, 
economical increase of feed beyond the point of maintenance that 
profit may be secured. But even worse is it, when, through the 
temptation of high prices, or the need of ready money, the farmer 
is led to sell from his farm those supplies of food, which should 
be retained to carry his stock in good condition through the 
winter, impoverishing thus not only his stock but his farm. © 
FUNCTION OF Foon. 
It is obviously of first importance that our farmers should have at 
as clear an idea as possible as to the several functions of food in 
order that they may furnish to their animals a ration most suitable 
for their wants and most economical to the farmer. oN 
