310 [AsSEMBLT 



of the Tarkisli, Barbary. Arabian, Persian, and Spanish horses^ 

 with more or less of the ancient British stock. ■ The Suffolk, the 

 Clydesdale, and even the most esteemed variety of the Norman, 

 are admitted to have had a mixed origin, though by skilful breed- 

 ing they have attained great uniformity. 



Numerous examples might be given of the like origin of breeds 

 of dogs, fowls, &c., 



It is evident that Bakewell combined the system of crossing 

 with that of breeding from one stock ; for his animals, as before 

 mentioned, were in the first place selected from different breedSy 

 but after the cross had been carried to the desired point, and his 

 standard had been attained, he confined his selections of breeding 

 animals to his own stock. This was the course he pursued with 

 horses, sheep, and swine. It was also the course pursued by Col- 

 ling with cattle. And yet, in full view of the success of all these 

 examples, when it has been suggested to breed together some ani- 

 mals of extraordinary value that have been produced in this 

 country, we are gravely told that such a course " would be only 

 insuring uniformity of defects, and making them, in the end utter- 

 ly worthless." 



Prof. Simonds, in a lecture delivered before the Royal Agricul- 

 ral Society, 1848, observes: ^'crossing is founded on a principle 

 just as secure as Bakewell's system of care in selection, added to 

 the in-and-in system. Every improvement of breed requires the 

 same means to retain it which produced it ; the chief of these is 

 care in the selection of stock, so as to avoid, the tendency to heredi- 

 tary diseases or defects." 



It has been plainly shown that there have been circumstances 

 under which crossing was expedient, and that it has been prac- 

 ticeid with great advantage. It necessarilj^ follows that in sim- 

 ilar circumstances it may always be useful, if directed by the re- 

 quisite skill. But except in cases where there is a reasonable 

 prospect that the new stock would possess valuable properties 

 not to be found in established breeds, it is not advisable to resort 

 to a cross. Specific rules in regard to it cannot be laid down, 

 the judgment of the breeder must govern him as to the proper 

 course in each particular case that arises. 



