SELECTION. 389 



on the Agriculture of Argyleshire," * and make selec- 

 tions of animals that are rather under than over the 

 required standard, as there will then be a reasonable 

 prospect of improvement, and a better profit from 

 liberal feeding. 



The larger breeds, on farms that are naturally pro- 

 ductive, have, however, in many instances proved a 

 failure, from defects in the system of management. 

 It cannot, with reason, be expected that the larger 

 improved breeds will return a satisfactory profit when 

 subjected to the same treatment that the common 

 stock receives on the average farms of the country ; 

 and it is also quite certain that the effects of such 

 management will be manifest in a rapid deterioration 

 in their most valuable characteristics. 



The high development of special qualities -in our 

 improved breeds, which have been obtained, as we 

 have shown, by artificial treatment, has unavoidably 

 diminished their hardiness, and unfitted them to with- 

 stand the effects of privation and exposure. 



In the process of " natural selection " that prevails 

 among wild species, those that are feeble or unhealthy 

 die from exposure, and the masters of the herd attain 

 their position by their superior strength and powers 

 of endurance. The standard of excellence in such 

 cases is constitutional stamina and power, and the ele- 

 ments of deterioration are strictly excluded. 



1 " Survey of Argyleshire," p. 242. See also on the same subject 

 Low's " Domestic Animals," p. 264 ; Lawrence on " Cattle," p. 27 ; 

 Coventry's "Agriculture," p. 182; "Complete Grazier" (sixth edi- 

 tion), p. 36 ; " Code of Agriculture," by Sinclair, pp. 96-100 ; " Survey 

 of Middlesex," p. 407 ; Cline on " Breeding and Form," p. 12. 



