212 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



we are aware that much misapprehension has been entertained 

 regarding it, and consider it necessary, in the present advanced 

 state of cattle breeding in our country, that it should be fully 

 understood. 



We are not an advocate of the practice now, except in partic- 

 ular cases, and under peculiar circumstances. There is, indeed, 

 no necessity for it, to any extent, as our popular breeds of cattle 

 are so widely distributed as to permit advantageous selections to 

 be made from various herds for fresh crosses, without running 

 into close relations of blood. Yet, two or three direct crosses 

 may be made in successive generations, with a choice bull on his 

 own descendants, even now, to decided advantage. 



To sum up this prolonged discussion, we would, as a rule, only 

 advise the breeder, either of pure bred cattle, or grades, to com- 

 mence his herd with the best and most perfect animals he can 

 find, or which he can afford, both cows and bulls; and so often 

 as he needs a new bull, to again get the best one he can. Then, 

 with due care, skill, and diligence, he may succeed, keeping 

 always in mind the governing principles and rules laid down at 

 the beginning of this discussion. A volume of writing would 

 not much further enlighten him, as he is presumed to have some 

 discretion and judgment of his own to guide his conduct. 



We close this, we fear, too long extended branch of our sub- 

 ject, by quoting Sir John S. Sebright, a distinguished English 

 authority, who early in the present century acquired much 

 celebrity as a stock breeder among the smaller varieties of 

 domestic animals. It was written in the year 1809, and entitled 

 "The Art of Improving the Breeds of Domestic Animals: In a 

 letter addressed to Sir Joseph Banks, by Sir John Saunders 

 Sebright." 



''The best breeds, after having been obtained at great expense, 

 too frequently degenerate from mismanagement. Men conceive 

 that, if they have procured good males and good females, they 



