No. 112] 305 



other property, "wliich is particularly desirable^ and is not usually 

 found. It is therefore an object to multiply this property to the 

 greatest practicable degree, and the progeny of the animal, or 

 those which exhibit the desired properties, are carefully reared 

 and allowed to proj)agate. 



Now it is obvious that these variations constitute the variations 

 or breed. The animals which possess in the greatest degree the 

 properties which render them valuable for any specified purpose, 

 are selected and bred to2;ether. There is not an exact resem- 

 blance among their progeny ; some have less of the points which 

 are the special object of the breeder, than their progenitors had, 

 and some may have more of them. The proper course will be 

 to select the best for breeding, to seize on those variations which 

 most favor the grand object, and to pursue this from generation. 

 to generation. Thus by the exercise of due judgment, animals 

 are finally obtained, which without change of blood, exhibit mark- 

 ed contrast with the general character of the breed, at the time 

 the relation was commenced. 



The system above laid down, applies strictly to the breeding of 

 animals without crossing — the stock being wholly selected, Avith- 

 in a particular breed. As examples of this course, we may re- 

 fer to the improvement of the South-down sheep, by Ellman, 

 Webb, and others, of the Spanish or Merino by the Germans, 

 of the Hereford cattle by T.-mkins, Tully and Price; of the 

 Devons by the Quartlys, and Turner ; of the Jerseys or Alderneys 

 by Le Couteur and others. 



Breeding liy crossing distinct breeds, and rearing a new stock 

 from the prugeny, dilTers of course in the outset fruni the former. 

 After the cross has been made, however, and the ideal standai'd 

 estai)lished in the mind ot the breeder, the selections will be made 

 with reference to this standard. So tliat with the exception of the 

 diverse origin of the parent stock ; the two systems of breeding are 

 similar in principle — the object in both being the production of 

 animals of particular j^rcpt^rties, and the selection being wholly 

 directed to those which possess them. 



[Ai'. Tr. '53.1 U 



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