Breeding of farm animals / by Merritt W. Harper.

  • Harper, Merritt W. (Merritt Wesley), 1877-
Date:
1914
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Breeding of farm animals / by Merritt W. Harper. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    221/364 (page 199)
    dairy cattle upon the amount of milk and butter fat pro- duced within a given length of time according to an official recognized test (p. 127). Breed associations.—Upon their own initiative Weatherby and Coates compiled and published the first volumes of the General Stud Book and of the Shorthorn Herd Book. The business grew so rapidly, however, and there was so much detail connected with the registration, such as tabulation of pedigrees, publication of the books of record, and the like, as well as with financing the undertaking, and later with the management of the ad- vanced register work, that it became necessary to pro- vide some method whereby the work could be done sys- tematically. This led to the organization of associations, the membership of which consisted largely of breeders interested in the development of a particular breed. Thus the advocates of each breed formed a breeders’ association to conduct the business connected with the management of the breed. Upon the payment of a mem- bership fee any breeder may become a member of the association of the breed he handles. In many of the associations the charges for registration of animals owned by members are less than for those owned by non- members. These associations are considered the official organs of the breeds and have been very potent factors in the general improvement and advancement of the several breeds of farm animals. Live stock shows.—One of the most important factors in the early development and improvement of the breeds of farm animals was the live stock show. This is es- pecially true of Britain, where animal fairs have been held for centuries. Following the lead of England, live stock shows have been encouraged and given financial assistance by practically all countries where animal pro- duction constitutes a large part of the agricultural in- dustry. The value of live stock expositions for the purpose of