POINTS IN MANAGEMENT. 105 



the greatest of errors. They have a vague idea of im- 

 proving their stock and, with tliat end in view, purchase 

 one, two, or three fine rams. These they put into one of 

 their flocks, or with a number of ewes selected from their 

 flocks. The half-bred male produce of these they use in 

 the other flocks, and even in the same flock, expecting, 

 of course, brilliant results, and are grievously disap- 

 pointed at finding they make no, or, at all events, very 

 little progress. It is a recognised fact among breeders 

 that a farmer who uses his half-bred rams in his flock 

 commits a fatal error. The higher blood of the sires of 

 these half-bred rams is always dominated (vencido) by the 

 blood of the dams in the progeny resulting from the ewes 

 of the flock and the half-bred rams. Half-bred rams 

 have no fixity of type ; whereas, the ewes of any race, or 

 variety, though it may be ever so inferior, have such 

 fixity, even if it be a fixity of bad quahty ; and that fixity 

 will always prevail over anything that is half-bred in 

 rams. To refine, or improve, simply means to dominate 

 inferior blood and quality by higher blood and higher 

 quahty, in superior force. 



VI. 



The foregoing explanations will suflice to show that 

 the man who purposes to form and carry on a high-bred 

 sheep estabhshment has no light task before him ; that 

 mind and will must be directed to the vmdertaking ; that 

 there is no detail unworthy of his close attention ; that the 

 details mentioned herein, and very many others, which 

 will continually present themselves in the course oif his 

 undertaking, cannot be neglected ; that he must be ever 

 observant, and ever prepared to meet all contingencies ; 



