1^0. 112.] 309 



in Lincolnshire, he cast his quick eye on a flock of sheep belong- 

 ing to his friend J which possessed fine points and good symmetry, 

 and whose mellow touch and handling pleased him. He must 

 have been a splendid animal to have satisfied such a man j and 

 he prevailed on this breeder to sell the animal, as he stood rather 

 low on the legs. His friend was induced to part with him, as 

 breeders in Lincolnshire prefer sheep which stand high on their 

 legs, while Leicestershire breeders prefer those with rather short 

 legs, provided the carcase be long and well formed. Mr. Bake- 

 well considered tlie tup a prize; and it is said this animal cor- 

 rected many of the wrong points and defects of the Leicestershire, 

 particularly in the wool and the covering of the heads, which they 

 so wanted. The wool of the sheep was of a closer texture than 

 usual, and his head and ears well covered." 



Robert Smith, an eminent sheep breeder, in an Essay on the 

 ^^ Breeding and Management of Sheep " for which he received a 

 prize from the Royal Agricultural Society in 1847, observes; 

 ^' The crossing of pure breeds has been a subject of great interest 

 amongst every class of breeders. While all agree that the first 

 cross may be attended with good results, there is a diversity of 

 oj)inion upon the future movements, or putting the crosses to- 

 gether. Having tried experiments, (and I am now pursuing 

 them for confirmation,) in every way possible, I do not hesitate 

 to express my opinion, that by proper and judicious crossing 

 through several generations, a most valuable I -reed of sheep n;ay 

 be raised and established ; in support of which I may mention 

 the career of the celebrated Bake well, it?/iO raised a new vanity 

 from other long-ivooled breeds^ which have subsequently improved 

 all other long-vvooled breeds." 



Let us next look at the origin of some breeds of horses. And 

 first of the Arabian, whose history has been written with great 

 care by the distinguished naturalist, Col. Chas. Hamilton Smith. 

 lie states as the result of his extensive investigations, that it is '* a 

 race of great intermixture?'' But it lias btfU cultivated for ages, 

 till in Col. S's language," it is the most artificial, the first of high- 

 bred horses, and the paient of the noblest breetis in the world." 



The English race-horse, according to the best authorities, as 

 Low, Youatt, and Smith, was derived from a mixture of the blood 



