110 BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



well adapts them to the locality, as well as to the treatment to 

 which their dams have been accustomed. 



With regard to cattle, the system cannot be so advantageously 

 pursued (except for the purpose of improving the size and quali- 

 ties of the calf, where veal is the object) in as much as every 

 required qualification for breeding purposes can be obtained by 

 using animals of the pure breeds. But with sheep, wliere the 

 peculiarities of the soil as regards the goodness of feed, and expo- 

 sure to the severities of the weather, often prevent the introduction 

 of an improved breed, the value of using a new and superior ram 

 is often very considerable, and the weight of mutton is materially 

 increased, without its quality being impaired, while earlier matu- 

 rity is at the same time obtained. It involves, however, more 

 systematic attention than farmers usually like to bestow, for it is 

 necessary to employ a different ram for each purpose ; that is, a 

 native ram for a portion of the ewes to keep up the purity of the 

 breed, and a foreign ram to raise the improved cross-bred animals 

 for fatting either as lambs or sheep. This plan is adopted by many 

 breeders of Leicester sheep, who thus employ South Down rams 

 to improve the quality of the mutton. One inconvenience attend- 

 ing this plan, is the necessity of fatting the maiden ewes as well as 

 the wethers ; they may however be disposed of as fat lambs, or the 

 practice of spaying might be adopted, so as to increase the fatting 

 disposition of the animal. Crossing, therefore, should be adopted 

 with the greatest caution and skill where the object is to improve 

 breed of animals ; it should never be practiced carelessly or capri- 

 ciously, but it may be advantageously pursued with a view to 

 raising superior and profitable animals for the butcher." 



After presenting many interesting details regarding British 

 breeds of sheep and the results of crossing, Mr. S. farther says: 



"We cannot do better, in concluding our paper, than gather up 

 and arrange in a collected form, the various points of our subject, 

 which appear to be of suiBcient importance to be again presented 

 to the attention of our readers. We think, therefore, we are justi- 

 fied in coming to the conclusions: 



Ist. That there is a direct pecuniary advantage in judicious 

 cross-breeding ; that increased size, disposition to fatten, and early 

 maturity, are thereby induced. 



2d. That whih; this may be caused for the most part, by the very 

 fact of crossing, yet it is principally due to the superior influence 



