Contents: Introduction. 1. Earlier stock breeding. 2. American stock breeding. 3. Heredity. 4. Facts concerning reproduction. 5. The germ cells. 6. The hereditary material. 7. Origin of the hereditary material. 8. Breeding and selection. 9. Individual excellence in breeding animals. 10. Pedigrees of breeding animals. 11. The offspring during gestation. 12. Development of young stock. 13. Determination of sex. 14. Foundation and management of a breeding business. 15. Inbreeding and line breeding.16. Mendel's law. 17. Breed relations. 18. Breeders' associations. 19. Horse breeding. 20. Cattle breeding. 21. Sheep breeding. 22. Swine breeding.

"Stock-farming is growing more-popular both in theory and in practice. A scientific study of crop production makes clear the necessity of feeding the crops on the farm and the market conditions have afforded encouragement to the breeders and feeders of good stock.

In crop-growing and in stock-feeding, much practical aid has been furnished by the scientists, notably by the chemists. The breeders naturally look to the biologists for assistance, but up to the present, any directions they may have received have been quite definite and not always practical ones.

The main object of this book is to direct attention away from profitless speculations that have necessarily characterized some earlier books, and to stimulate interest in the more tangible, the physical basis of heredity. A scientific study of the physical aspects of heredity leads to conclusions that fully accord with the teachings of the work of our master breeders. It has been the aim to limit discussion to points upon which scientific opinion is quite well agreed, though this has not been altogether possible. Free consultation of the references cited will give a deeper acquaintance with scientific aspects of the question." (jacket)