SECRETARY'S REPORT. 103 



the latter case breeding in-and-in is usually found to result in decided 

 and rapid deterioration. 



We should consider also that few animals in a state of domesti- 

 cation are wholly free from hereditary defects and diseases, and • 

 that these are propagated all the more readily and surely when 

 possessed by both parents, and tliat those nearly related are more 

 likely than others, to possess similar qualities and tendencies. 



If such is to be regarded as the true explanation, it follows that 

 the same method would be also efficacious in perpetuating and 

 confirming good qualities. Such is the fact ; and it is well known 

 that nearly all who have achieved eminence as bi-eeders, have 

 availed themselves freely of its benefits. Bakewell, the Messrs. 

 Collings, Mr. Mason, Mr. Bates and others, all practiced it. Mr. 

 Bates' rule was, "breed in-and-in from a bad stock and you cause 

 ruin and devastation, they must always be changing to keep even 

 moderately in caste ; but if a good stock be selected, you may breed 

 in-and-in as much as you please."* Bakewell originated his-famous 

 sheep by crossing from the best he could gather from far or near ; 

 but when he had obtained such as suited him, he bred exclusively 

 from within his own. As in all breeding from crosses, it was 

 needful to throw out as weeds, a large proportion of the progeny, 

 but by rigidly doing so, and saving none to breed from but such 

 as became more and more firmly possessed of the forms and quali- 

 ties desia-ed, the weeds gradually became fewer, until at length he 

 fully established the breed ; and he continued it, and sustained its 

 high reputation during his life by in-breeding connected with proper 

 selections for coupling. After his death, others, not possessing his 

 tact and judgment in making selections, were less fortunate, and 

 in some hands the breed degenerated seriously, insomuch that it 

 was humorously remarked, " there was nothing but a little tallow 

 left." In others it has been maintained by the same method. Mr. 

 Valentine Barford of Foscote, has the pedigree of his Leicester 

 sheep since the day of Bakewell, in 1*783, and since 1810, he has 

 bred entirely from his own flock, sire and dam, without an inter- 

 change of male or female from any other flock. He observes "that 

 his flock being bred from the nearest affinities — commonly called 

 in-and-in breedii^ — has not experienced any of the ill effects as- 



*Mr. Bates, although eminent as a breeder, was not infallible in making his 

 selections for coupling, and after long continued close breeding, he was himself 

 compelled to go out of his own herd to jirocure a different strain of blood. 



