302 SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Part II. 



to the best female, that the best produce will be obtained ; for should they both have 

 a tendency to the same defect, although in ever so slight a degree, it will in general 

 preponderate so much in the produce, as to render it of little value. A breed of 

 animals may be said to be improved, when any desired quality has been increased by 

 art, beyond what that quahty was in the same breed, in a state of nature ; the swiftness 

 of the race horse, the propensity to fatten in cattle, and the tine wool in sheep, are 

 improvements which have been made in particular varieties of the species to which 

 those animals belong. What has been produced by art must be produced by the same 

 means, for the most improved breeds will soon return to a state of nature, or perhaps 

 defects will arise, which did not exist when the breed was in its natural state, unless 

 the greatest attention is paid to the selection of the individuals who are to breed 

 together. 



2017. We must observe the smallest tendency to imperfection in our stock, the moment 

 it appears, so as to be able to counteract it, before it becomes a defect ; as a rope 

 dancer, to preserve his equilibrium, must correct the balance, before it is gone too far, 

 and then not by such a motion, as will incline it too much to the opposite side. The 

 breeder's success will depend entirely upon the degree in which he may happen to 

 possess this particular talent. 



2018. Regard should not only be paid to the qualities apparent in animals selected 

 for breeding, but to those which have prevailed in the race from which they are 

 descended, as they will always show themselves, sooner or later, in the progeny : it is 

 for this reason that we should not breed from an animal, however excellent, unless we 

 can ascertain it to be what is called well bred; that is, descended from a race of ancestors, 

 who have, through several generations, possessed in a high degree the properties which 

 it is our object to obtain. The offspring of some animals is very unlike themselves ; 

 it is, therefore, a good precaution, to, try the young males with a few females, the 

 quality of whose produce has been already ascertained ; by this means we shall know 

 the sort of stock they get, and the description of females to which they are the best 

 adapted. If a breed cannot be improved, or even continued in the degree of perfection 

 at which it has already arrived, but by breeding from individuals so selected as to 

 correct each other's defects, and by a judicious combination of their different properties 

 (a position that will not be denied), it follows that animals must degenerate, by being 

 long bred from tlie same family, without the intermixture of any other blood, or from 

 being what is technically called, bred in-and-in." 



2019. Bakewell and Culley say, " like begets like," therefore breed from the best. Of this, says Sir 

 J. S. Sebright, there can be no doubt " but it is to be proved how long the same family, bred in-and-in^ 

 will continue to be the best." Crossbreeding appears no doubt more consonant to what takes place in 

 nature than breeding from very near relationship ; and arguing from analogy, the result of certain 

 experiments made by T. A. Knight, on the vegetable kingdom, seems to justify us in concluding that 

 occasional crossing may become not only advantageous, but even necessary for the purpose of correcting 

 defects. Nevertheless, as the last mentioned writer and Cline observe, it can only be safely resorted to 

 by.skilful and experienced breeders. 



Sect. II. Of the getieral Principles of rearing^ managing, and feeding domestic 



Animals. 



2020. Immediately after the birth of every animal, even of such as are domesticated, 

 the rudiments of its education, as well as its bodily nourishment, are necessarily given 

 by the mother. For this purpose the latter should, during her pregnancy, have been 

 daily protected against all extremes of temperature, well provided with shade and 

 shelter, and abundantly supplied with food and water. When the period of gestation 

 arrives, she should, in general, also be separated from the rest of the flock or herd, and 

 by whatever means the case may demand, kept comfortable and tranquil. 



2021. After the birth, the first interference on the part of man should be that of 

 supplying the mother with food of a light and delicate quality, compared to that which 

 she had been in the habit of using, and also of administering the same description of 

 food to the offspring, so far as it may by its nature be able to use it. The gentlest 

 treatment should accompany these operations ; and the opportunity taken of familiarizing 

 both parent and offspring with man, by gently caressing them, or at least, by familiar 

 treatment on the part of the attendant. 



2022. As the animals increase in size and strength, they should have abundance of 

 air, exercise, and food, according to their natures ; and whatever is attempted by man in 

 the way of taming or teaching should be conducted on mild and conciliating principles, 

 rather than on those of harshness and compulsion. Caresses, or familiar treatment, 

 should generally be accompanied by small supplies of food, at least at first, as an 

 inducement to render the animal submissive to them ; afterwards habit will, even in the 

 inferior creation, render the familiarities of man agreeable to them for their own sake ; 

 but even then, to keep up this feeling, small portions of select food should frequently 

 be employed as a reward. By contrasting this method with that of taming or teaching 

 animals by fear or compulsion, the advantages of the former mode will be evident. 



