CROSS-BREEDING. 191 



theory that the male has the greatest influence in 

 determining the form and general qualities of the 

 offspring. 1 



Before attempting to ascertain the effects of cross- 

 breeding, in itself considered, it will be well to ex- 

 amine some of the cases in which it has been success- 

 fully practised, with especial reference to the condi- 

 tions that made it desirable. 



Cross-breeding has, perhaps, been practised to a 

 greater extent with sheep than with any other class of 

 animals, and among them we find the best examples 

 of well-established cross-breeds. In Hampshire the 

 old horned breed of sheep, with its " large bones," 

 "high withers," and sharp spine, was crossed with 

 rams of the improved Southdown, until its original 

 defective characters almost entirely disappeared. 



The improved Hampshire are characterized by the 

 absence of horns, "a broader back, rounder barrel, 

 shorter legs, and superior quality altogether." 9 



Some of the leading breeders of the Hampshires 

 were not content to rely upon the general superiority 

 of the improved Southdowns in improving their 

 flocks, but obtained the best rams that could be found 

 in the flocks of the most celebrated breeders. Mr. 

 William Humphrey, a noted Hampshire breeder, it is 

 said, sent to Jonas "Webb for one of " his best sheep," 

 and Mr. Spooner attributes his success to a great 

 extent " in seeking his improvements from such a 

 renowned flock." 8 



1 Quarterly Journal of Agriculture^ vol. i., p. 34 ; Journal of the 

 Royal Agricultural Society, vol. xx., pp. 294-310. 



8 Ibid., p. 300. Ibid., pp. 305-312. 



