HORSE BREEDING. 1305 



males drive the weaker ones awaj; hence the offspring is the produce 

 of the best specimen of the male. 



VIII. Cross-Breeding. 

 Strictly speaking, cross-breeding is the pairing of animals of dis- 

 tinct breeds, and in this limited sense it may be considered the 

 opposite of in-and-in-breeding. But the term cross-breeding or out- 

 breeding is frequently used to indicate the mixture of the blood of dif- 

 ferent families of the same breed. Cross-breeding has, probably, been 

 carried on more in sheep than in any other animals, frequently with 

 good results, but often the reverse. Some animals, the mountain breeds 

 of sheep, for instance, that have been bred on the mountains for years 

 and 3'ears, have acquired such individuality of form, constitution, etc., 

 that the introduction of improved rams gives very poor results. Cross- 

 breeding can have but two objects: either the improvement of existing 

 breeds or the production of a new breed. To cross-breed with the idea 

 of obtaining a new breed requires a great deal of knowledge, patience 

 and wealth, and can be successfully carried out by very few. To im- 

 prove for the purpose of slaughter or for the improvement of other 

 qualities is a different thing, and for these purposes judicious cross- 

 breeding (not too violent crosses) is likely to be successful. Crossing 

 must be done by degrees ; extreme or violent crosses are not to be tol- 

 erated. In breeding horses a farmer breeds either for his own use or 

 for the market. If for his own use, he must make up his rcind what 

 class of horses is best suited to his purpose, and then be careful in the 

 selection of both sire and dam. If for the market, he naturally consid- 

 ers what class is in the greatest demand at the best prices, and, having 

 decided that question, goes intelligently to work to produce it. 



IX. The Relative Influence of Parents. 

 Many diverse opinions are given by writers as to the relative 

 influence of parents upon the progeny, some of which, without suf- 

 ficient reasons, have been quite generally accepted as established 

 facts. My opinion is, that the condition and general constitution 

 of animals during the time of copulation has great influence upon the 

 offspring, and, provided both sire and dam be in good health, the 

 one of the better breeding, that is the animal that is the produce of 

 ancestors that have been bred in a certain line for generations, and 

 has the characteristics of that special family intensified in him or her, 

 which evidently gives him or her greater prepotency, will have the 

 greater influence upon the progeny. The importance of securing males 

 of the best quality — males that from their superior breeding will be likely 



