No. 85.] ' 251 



ficiently demonstrated by my Herefords, and a flock of Leicester- 

 shire sheep, which, to my knowledge, has been so bred for the last 

 40 years, and are quite free from goggles, a disease said to be pecu- 

 liar to sheep so descended. I do not advocate breeding from very 

 close affinities tmless they partake more of the qualities that I wish 

 animals to inherit, than others of more remote alliance. The best 

 cow perhaps, ever seen, was the produce of own brother and sister ; 

 but it must be remembered that both the sire and dam, were animals 

 of extraordinary merit. Those whose inclinations may induce them 

 to make improvements in their cattle and sheep, without going to the 

 expense of an entire change of stock, should select superior males of 

 a particular tribe. If this system is persevered in, a surprising and 

 lasting benefit will be derived from it. 



All animals require to be well fed when young, in order to arrive 

 at great size and perfection ; when they have attained it, they will 

 live on little food, and endure great privations — with the proviso, 

 that they are descended from blood of good reputation. It is too 

 much the custom with breeders to give inquirers the impression that 

 their stock has been getting fat by starvation, and that they live on 

 "absolutely nothing;" this is preposterous; but that their fine condi- 

 tion frequently indicates more and richer pasturage than falls to their 

 lot, is equally true. 



I remain, gentlemen. 



Your obedient servant, 



GEORGE DRAKE. 



Manor Farm, East Tytherly, near Stockbridge, 

 Hampshire, England. 



BREEDING SAXONY AND MERINO SHEEP— AYRSHIRE 



CATTLE. 



BY WIGHT CHAPMAN, OF VERMONT. 



Middlebury, 1845. 



Dear Sir — Your favor, in form of a circular, was duly received ; 

 but my pressing business engagements have prevented my replying 

 sooner. I shall make a few observations on cattle and sheep. In the 

 choice of bucks to breed from, the sheep breeder should consult his 

 wants, rather than his fancy, for on this his success very much de- 

 pends. If his ewes have slight constitutions, light fine fleeces, and 

 bad build, he should endeavor to remedy their defects, by selecting a 

 buck from a family of Merinos distinguished for heavy bodies, strong 

 constitution, and heavy fleeces — although the latter may be somewhat 

 coarse, always rejecting those whose fleeces are not of an even quali- 

 ty — for it is not advisable to breed from a buck that has coarse shag- 

 gy thighs, or one that has hair or jar over the surface of the fleece, 



