102 STATES OF THE EIVER PLATE. 



of expediency as to the crossing of two distinct 

 breeds or races for specific objects, or with ulterior 

 views, though apart from the question itself, has its con- 

 nection with it. There are numerous advocates of both 

 systems, and each claim to have met with success in the 

 prosecution of each principle ; and therefore recommend 

 the adoption of the practice which they believe to be, 

 and have succeeded in, best. I am free to admit, that 

 there have been successful breeders on both principles, 

 followed out consistently over a considerable period of 

 time and through many generations. The fact of success 

 under both systems goes to demonstrate that there was a 

 difference of circumstances and objects, and that there 

 can therefore be no arbitrary rule applicable to all cases. 



The principle of ' out-breeding ' is accepted in these 

 countries generally as the acme of sound practice ; and it 

 is believed by many that if the rams of flocks are changed 

 every two or three years, little else is required. To such 

 an extent is this idea carried in some cases that the 

 veriest mongrels are produced ; and I have even known 

 cross-bred rams of Negretti, Saxony, Eambouillet, and 

 long-wooUed British extraction, all running in the same 

 flock, at the same time, and changed for an equally 

 mongrel lot picked up here, and there, and everywhere 

 after two or three years, under the impression that the 

 ' principle ' of ' out-breeding ' was being carried out. 



My own experience goes to show that ' out-breeding,' 

 as a rule, is destruction to uniformity of type. A judi- 

 cious ' out '-cross is, under many circumstances, attended 

 with good in flocks in general, and even in the flocks of 

 high-caste ; but such ' out '-cross must be made with 

 sheep of an identity of type, and of the same race, if 

 purity of blood and high quality is to be preserved. All 

 successful founders of breeds of improved sheep have made 



