ss of Stevens & Sayward,
Augusta, Maine.

PREFACE.

The writer has had frequent occasion to notice the want of some handy
book embodying the principles necessary to be understood in order to
secure improvement in Domestic Animals.

It has been his aim to supply this want.

In doing so he has availed himself freely of the knowledge supplied by
others, the aim being to furnish a useful, rather than an original
book.

If it serve in any measure to supply the need, and to awaken greater
interest upon a matter of vital importance to the agricultural
interests of the country, the writer's purpose will be accomplished.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER I.--INTRODUCTORY, 7

II.--LAW OF SIMILARITY, 21

III.--LAW OF VARIATION, 33

IV.--ATAVISM OR ANCESTRAL INFLUENCE, 61

V.--RELATIVE INFLUENCE OF THE PARENTS, 68

VI.--LAW OF SEX, 89

VII.--IN-AND-IN BREEDING, 94

VIII.--CROSSING, 105

IX.--BREEDING IN THE LINE, 119

X.--CHARACTERISTICS OF BREEDS, 127

THE PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

The object of the husbandman, like that of men engaged in other
avocations, is _profit_; and like other men the farmer may expect
success proportionate to the skill, care, judgment and perseverance
with which his operations are conducted.

The better policy of farmers generally, is to make stock husbandry in
some one or more of its departments a leading aim--that is to say,
while they shape their operations according to the circumstances in
which they are situated, these should steadily embrace the conversion
of a large proportion of the crops grown into animal products,--and
this because, by so doing, they may not only secure a present
livelihood, but best maintain and increase the fertility of their
lands.

The object of the stock grower is to obtain the most valuable returns
from his vegetable products. He needs, as Bakewell happily expressed
it, "the best _machine_ for converting herbage and other animal food
into money."

He will therefore do well to seek su