CROSS-BREEDING. 195 



to moderate elevations and better pastures than the 

 black-faces required, were decidedly improved by a 

 cross of the improved Leicester, 1 the conditions in 

 which they were placed admitting of a class of ani- 

 mals of better-feeding quality. 



The cross of a superior breed on one that is in- 

 ferior cannot, then, succeed in producing improvement 

 without being accompanied by better management 

 and more liberal feeding. After the times described 

 by Hogg and Youatt, the Cheviots were extensively 

 introduced in the Highlands of Scotland, and their 

 success is an evidence of an improved condition of 

 agriculture. In the cross-breeding of cattle and horses 

 the same influences have determined, to a greater or 

 less extent, the success or failure of the practice. 



The advocates of a system of cross-breeding, al- 

 most without exception, insist upon the importance 

 of making use of males of superior character in all 

 essential qualities. " Having duly recognized the 

 claims of thorough-bred horses of the first and second 

 class," says Mr. Spooner, " we can only advise, with 

 regard to the third and inferior classes, that their ser- 

 vices be altogether dispensed with, their place being 

 taken by three-fourths or half-bred stallions, possess- 

 ing bone, substance, and good hunting qualifica- 

 tions." 3 



He prefers " the services of a first-class, thorough- 

 bred stallion .... on the rare occasions when they are 

 offered " but, when they cannot be procured, a part- 

 bred stallion is to be selected, provided he is better in 



1 Youatt, loc. cit., p. 335. 



2 Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, 1865, p. 165. 



