200 NOTES ON FIELDS AND CATTLE. 



owing to their owners' disregard of these few simple 

 rules. Another great secret in breeding is to suit 

 the breed to the soil and climate. The Cotswold 

 sheep degenerates in size in Wales, whatever you 

 may do to prevent it. The shorthorn will not thrive 

 as they could wish in the eastern counties. 



If the female goes beyond her time with young, 

 the chances are that she will produce a male. I have 

 known a transgression of this law when I was re- 

 warded by a remarkably fine filly. She was an 

 exception, however, to prove the rule. 



Twins from a mare desire not ; they are seldom 

 born alive, yet more seldom reared. When they 

 come as heifers it is a treat, but when they are male 

 and female it is not often that the female will breed 

 (the male is extra valued) : she is what is termed 

 technically a "free-martin." Occasionally they do 

 breed. You may know whether they will or not by 

 their appearance as they grow up. She that is 

 destined to be barren assumes a taurine appearance 

 about the head. I do not know that this law holds 

 good in sheep. Anyhow, twins in your flock are a 

 decided gain. And I should mention here that by 

 saving, to replace your draught, the ewe lambs that 

 are twins, you run an increased chance of doubling 

 your numbers, as the tendency to throw twins is 

 undoubtedly inherited and may be encouraged ; so in 

 the course of years have been established the respec- 

 tive characteristic properties of the pointer and 

 sheep-dog. 



Improvers proceed with different objects in view. 

 Bakewell, in the development of that celebrated 



