THE BREEDING OF CATTLE. 651 



and the fourth generation, fifteen-sixteenths blood, and will compare 

 favorably with pure-blooded animals, except among critical judges. 



XVII. Taking a Line Cross, 



In breeding so closely as we have recommended, the exercise of careful 

 judgment is necessary, so that you may cease breeding in-and-in when- 

 ever ii is found that the constitutional vigor, or feeding qualities of the 

 progeny are impaired. If it be found that the progeny is not im- 

 proving in all essential quailities 'select another sire, but one combining 

 the same essential qualities as the discarded sire. This departure will be 

 breeding in line. Breed again with this bull to certain select heifers for 

 tAvo generations, and then take another line cross. In this way a young 

 farmer, Avho is not able to attempt thoroughbreds, may soon establish a 

 herd that will give the best possible satisfaction as beef makers or milk- 

 ers, as the case may be. Do not listen to any sentimental talk about 

 incestuous breeding. Incest is not a crime among the4o:W€rlimmals ; it is 

 nature's plan with them. Among gregarious animals the strongest 

 males take the herd, to the second and tjiird generation. The object 

 is to throw the good qualities of the sire.wi a lump, and also to secure the 

 first impress, a most important point, upon the heifer, and to fix this impress 

 by concentration. For, the oftener the dam is bred to the same sire, the 

 more will she be imbued with the blood of the sire of her progeny, 

 through the intercirculation of blood between the dam and the foetus. 

 This intercirculation, though denied by some, is undoubtedly a physio- 

 logical fact, proven by many coincidences, if not by absolute demon- 

 stration, and fortified by striking resemblances. 



XVTII. Some Specimens of Close Breeding. 



As showing close in-an-in l)reeding the first volume of the American 

 Herd Book contains a diagram of the breeding of Comet, from Hub- 

 back and Lady Maynard, as follows : 



1. Bull, IIubl)ack. 8. Cow, Lady Maynard. 



2. Dam of Haughton. 9. Bull, Boling])roke. 



3. Eichard Barker's Bull. 10. Cow, Lady Maynard. 



4. Cow, Haughton. 11. Cow, Phoenix. 



5. Bull, Foljambc. 12. Cow, Young Phoenix. 



6. Cow, Young Strawberry. 13. Bull, Favorite. 



7. Bull, Dalton Duke. ^ 14. Bull, Comet. 



f^Ia^elation to Favorite or Lady Maynard, Mr. A. B. Allen says : "It 

 wasOonceded by a company of old breeders in 1812, in discussing the 

 question of the improvement of Short-Horns, that no stock of Mr. Col- 

 ling's ever equalled Lady Maynard, the dam of Phoenix, andgranddam of 



