Darwin was inspired by the work of farmers and breeders, who had been selectively breeding plants and animals for centuries. He saw that farmers and breeders were able to change the characteristics of plants and animals by selecting for certain traits.
Darwin believed that natural selection worked in a similar way. He proposed that organisms with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce than organisms with harmful traits. Over time, this can lead to the evolution of new species.
Artificial selection is a powerful tool that can be used to improve the traits of plants and animals. It is used in agriculture, animal husbandry, and even in the pet trade.