GLOSSARY. BREEDING. 587 



tion to fatten, and a tendency to a mellowed state of the skin. 

 A bull, however, obtained by such a cross is of no value, never 

 begetting offspring of any worth, and being itself inferior in shape 

 and all other prized qualities. 



In sheep, the cross that stands highest in favour is to use a pure- 

 breed Leicester ram with other breeds of ewes, particularly the 

 Cheviot and black-faced ewe. The progeny is enlarged and im- 

 proved in the carcass, in the length of the wool, and in the dispo- 

 sition to fatten early. A ram obtained by this kind of cross is 

 not an animal to be prized ; and yet, to the detriment of the sheep 

 throughout the country, such a ram is much too often employed, 

 merely because the farmer is too apt to grudge paying a good price 

 for a suitable animal. 



In regard to breeding in-and-in in the case of horses, the farmer 

 is generally averse to the practice, on the ground that the parents 

 are too near akin in blood. Any ill effects of this plan are not 

 much seen in horses, unless the small weedy racehorses bred now- 

 adays be taken as examples. It is, however, the belief of good 

 judges, that of late nearly an equal number of good horses have 

 been obtained by adopting either plan ; yet it is allowed that no 

 first-rate horse has been obtained when the parents had the same 

 dam. Again, it is to be remembered, that in domestic animals 

 generally, very close in-breeding cannot be contimied long without 

 developing whatever weak points may exist in the breed. This 

 fact makes a very important rule for our guidance. The breeder 

 knows thus what he has to fear, and while he cannot expect to 

 reach the quality he is in quest of in less than two or three succes- 

 sive trials, he will stop short of the generation in which weak 

 points may come forth.* 



On cattle, very singular effects are produced by breeding in-and- 

 in. The extremities become fine and delicate, the eyes enlarge, 

 the general sensitiveness is much increased, the back becomes 

 arched, the hair smooth and close, the ears thin, red coloured, and 

 almost destitute of hair : animal passion is cold. The frame is 

 reduced in size. Flesh is easily gained, but attains only light 

 weights. The animal becomes subject to diseases, especially of the 

 lungs, and to what are called " clayers " in the throat. 



In sheep, the effects of breeding in-and-in are to produce fine 

 and delicate extremities, to bare the head of wool, to render the 

 ears thin and red. The carcass remains well enough formed, but 

 is diminished in size. The fattening takes place early, but does 

 not exceed light weight. The animal is very susceptible to cold, 

 and subject to diseases, such as hydatids and rot. 



In-and-in bred rams and bulls may be used for the coarser breeds 



* Stonehenge, p. 142. 



