Page:The Evolution of British Cattle.djvu/131

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BAKEWELL
119

same characters, than two animals drawn from different parts of the country or even of a county. Apart from the fact that he was a man of outstanding ability, power, and perseverance, there are several points in connection with Bakewell and his work that will bear reiteration:

(a) He was an unparalleled judge of stock.

(b) He was at enormous pains to secure the best stock in the country for his purpose.

(c) Having secured these, he bred from remarkably close

(d) He ruthlessly eliminated undesirable stock.

The truth of this last statement may be inferred from the facts that he educated breeders' tastes to a change of type, that from such mixed foundation stock as he began with he must have bred many undesirables, and that he used his bulls till they were very old and that upon their near relations.

The accompanying diagram, showing the pedigree of two of